In this guide we take a deep dive into the latest Dark Lolita trends, selecting our top 10 favorite Ryousangata items from Japanese fashion brand DearMyLove Clothing.
Understanding Japanese Ryousangata Fashion
The subtleties of Japan’s youth fashion trends are often bewildering to outsiders. And even once you do get your head around things, the breakneck rate of change can make it hard work keeping up.
More confusing, still, is the sheer number of fashion sub-niches, and the fact that many of the names given to these styles started out as derogatory terms. Ryousangata is a clear example of this, as it literally means “mass-produced” and was first used as an insult for unoriginal and copycat fast-fashion dressing. More recently, though, the term Ryousangata has been appropriated by a subset of the Lolita fashion scene as a badge of pride.
Today, Ryousangata and the closely-related Jirai Kei (“landmine girl”) styles are among the hottest looks to be seen on the streets of Tokyo, Osaka, and Japan’s other major cities. DearMyLove Clothing is undoubtedly one of the top fashion labels offering Ryousangata garms right now, and in a moment we’ll give a rundown of some of our favorite pieces from the brand. First though, we consider a few of the different kinds of looks that fall under the nouveau-Lolita banner.
Also Read: HOW TO BUY DEARMYLOVE CLOTHES FROM DREAMS JAPAN
The Lolita Style Spectrum
The Lolita look in general has been around for decades. Yet over time it has morphed and splintered into an almost infinite number of subcultures. True, on a superficial level many of the more recent post-Lolita fashion genres such as Dark Loli, Yami Kawaii, Jirai Kei, Ryousangata, Wa-Lolita, Princess, etc. can appear quite similar. However, the differences in nuance are very clear to those involved.
Having said this, there is often overlap between these niche styles. In fact certain trends and items are common to most, if not all, of the Lolita fashion subcultures. Yet at the same time other mini-tropes link just a few niche looks into clear subsets within the overall Lolita fashion trend.
Knee socks, high heeled shoes, and copious amounts of lace, for example, are fairly common right across the board. In contrast, items with a frilly Rococo feel, or featuring cutesy bows, and in pastel colors, are mostly the domain of those looking to create a Kawaii Princess or Doll Kei kind of image. Meanwhile, punkier elements such as bondage straps and oversized striped sweaters, or dress-length tees featuring sick or tortured teddy bears, are more typically found at the darker end of the spectrum.
Also Read: THE FUTURE OF JAPANESE STREET FASHION: EMERGING TRENDS FROM TOKYO'S UNDERGROUND SCENE
Where to get the Ryousangata Fashion Look?
Maybe you are looking for pretty petticoats and crinolines to achieve a cute Victorian-cupcake aesthetic? Or perhaps you are on the hunt for more aggressively-styled garms that can form the basis for a gothic or steampunk Lolita vibe? Either way, we think you’ll find plenty of options from DearMyLove Clothing – one of Japan’s favorite sources of Ryousangata fashions.
Read on as we pick 10 of the hottest DearMyLove clothing items for a stylish Ryousangata wardrobe refix!
Top 10 Ryousangata Items to Purchase from DearMyLove Clothing
The Frill Maid Jersey One-Piece comes with double heart-buckle belts at the waist, and smaller, more delicate heart detailing across the chest. These points alone make it a special garment. But if it takes our number one spot, it’s also thanks to its innovative design. Fusing cute and frilly elements with a harder-edged and slightly gothic look, DearMyLove pull off an impressive coup de main by presenting these core Ryousangata themes in the surprising guise of some sleek zippered sportswear.
Available in baby blue; pink, white on black; black on white. Wear it open as a feminine dress, or zip up the funnel collar for a more athletic look, reminiscent of an old-school “tracky” top. An impression only further reinforced by the go-faster stripes running down the length of the sleeves. A winner on all fronts.
Nautical-style blouses via the influence of Japanese school uniform are a big look in Ryousangata circles. As are oversized bows. And with the Lace Sailor Ribbon Set Up you get a killer combination of both.
Pulled in at the waist, but flared at the hips, this short dress and petticoat combo comes with a huge bow and diamante heart motif on the front, and a second even larger bow at the back. There’s also a lacy sailors bib to the rear, and frilly petticoat layering at the hem. Lace-up detailing at the wrist completes the kawaii-gothic scenario.
This is a full set, including both the dress and undergarment, that presents excellent value for money. Available in black, red, blue, and the distinctive shade of dusty pink that makes a “landmine girl” stand out from a mile away – even on the thronged streets of Harajuku.
Frill, flare, and high hemlines are all key to the Ryousangata silhouette, and the Ladder Lace Tiered Skirt ticks all these boxes in one go. Featuring a high waist and a two-tiered lace-trimmed design, this is a luxurious wedding cake of a skirt that will match beautifully with any top on the more romantic side of the Jirai Kei vibe. Alternatively, pair with a grungy tee and some knee-high boots for a more gothic take.
Available in pink, white, pale blue, and black – all nicely set off with white lace trimming.
High-heeled shoes are a big part of the Jirai Kei and Dark-Loli looks, and with their 11cm soles, they don’t come much more stacked than the DearMyLove Bulb Toe Platform Pumps. Featuring a lace-up fastening, and made in synthetic leather, the Platform Pumps are available in “landmine” pink, gloss black, and matte black.
While the darker side of Lolita is generally better catered for by DearMyLove Clothing’s sister brand, Deviants, creative dressers looking to achieve a more gothic look will still find plenty to inspire them here. Case in point is this Holloween-themed top.
For tormented souls dwelling in Lolita’s gloomy attic, DearMyLove’s Spider Lace Chain Blouse is a cobweb-infested dream come true. It features an exaggerated lace-trimmed collar, spiderweb detail on both collar and cuffs, gothic trimmed placket, cross-shaped buttons, and double chains across the front.
Available in wine red; light gray; black offset with white lace; and of course all black. Perfect for closet vampires. And as DearMyLove clothing is available on ZenMarket, you won’t even need to leave your coffin to get your hands on it!
For those with a penchant for the punkier side of Ryousangata fashion, DearMyLove’s Check Heart Belt Skirt will bring some cute plaid action to your wardrobe. Combine it with a frilly blouse and pumps for a lively Landmine Girl look, or throw on an oversized manga tee and some heavyweight boots for an edgier take.
The Check Heart Belt Skirt comes in red, pink, purple, and white variations. While the belt is fully adjustable, the fit is very slim; so if in doubt, size up.
DearMyLove’s Ladder Lace Ribbon Blouse offers an unapologetically Rococo take on the Ryousangata look for maximum big bow energy. This blouse offers full-on frill, with lace found everywhere from the removable bow to the placket and collar. A pearly heart sits at the center of the main bow, while mini chest bows down the front complete the look.
Available in five different color variations. For maximum effect, combine the Ladder Lace Ribbon Blouse with the Ladder Lace Tiered Skirt (number 03 on our list above).
This oversized hair bow from DearMyLove Clothing is perfect for anyone looking to add the fresh-faced purity of Alice in Wonderland to their fits. The bow comes in several delicate pastel shades, plus pure black for those leaning more towards the gothic fringes of Ryousangata. Style it with a school-girl blouse or frilly maid’s outfit for full-on baroque innocence. Or divert the message by pairing it with edgier garms. An essential Lolita accessory.
More Edward Scissorhands than Alice in Wonderland, this stylish pleated skirt hints at the darker realms of Ryousangata with the novel addition of bondage straps down the side. Although some frilly lace peeking out from below the hem keeps things fully within the realm of Dark Loli, this is a relatively restrained and minimal skirt that will lend itself to a wide range of looks.
Sealing the skirt’s gothic credentials, it comes in a choice of two different blacks only; one in a tasteful faux leather, the other featuring subtle spidery tone-on-tone embroidery.
No Landmine Girl’s closet would be complete without a solid selection of knee-high socks. And here DearMyLove have aspiring Ryousangatistas fully covered, with a wide range of long-legged hosiery. While there’s everything on offer from web-like gothic designs to bowed and bejewelled numbers, you really can’t go wrong with the brand’s Simple Knee High Socks. Available in black and white.
Shop Ryousangata clothes from Japan
Conclusion
Ryousangata and Jirai Kei looks are hotter than ever in Japan right now. But the scene has also started to make inroads abroad. Tracking down Lolita style clothing outside of Japan can be a bit of a challenge, though, as the websites of top Ryousangata fashion brands like DearMyLove tend to be in Japanese only. And in any case, most do not ship overseas.
Want in on the Dark Lolita action, too, but can’t make it to Japan yourself? Check out this handy in-depth guide explaining how to buy DearMyLove Clothing via ZenMarket.
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