Lolita Shoes – Classic, Gothic and Sweet Tokyo Fashion

Vintage inspired Lolita fashion platform heels or flat pumps, are the ultimate in retro chic. They not only recall the platforms of the 50's but also the children's shoes of nursery book pictures and times gone by.

The name was possibly inspired by the classic novel, Lolita, by Vladimir Nabokov, which was subsequently made into a movie, but otherwise, the origins of the term are unknown.

Lolita fashion has managed to unite the baby doll with historical costume, Japanese street fashion, classic, punk and gothic into a wonderful, 'Eton Mess' of vintage cult fashion. Best of all, for summer holiday fashion are the retro-inspired, Classic Lolita shoes with platforms and high heels, and the cute, Sweet Lolita flat pumps and re-vamped childens' shoes in patent leather with high platforms, ribbon ties and bows.

The picture on the right is a good example of the Victorian influence on Sweet Lolita. The Victorian obsession with black gives this look a touch of the Gothic but the shoes show the influence of the late 19th century and the full 'crinoline' skirt and detailing on the tailored coat are straight from the reign of Queen Victoria.

Lolita fashion draws upon many other eras for it's distinctive if eclectic style. You might pick up bits and pieces from the Renaissance and the Elizabethan times and find rich pickings in the age of the Baroque. Rococo is just so Sweet Lolita and the Victorian and Edwardian lend themselves to Black Lolita style, classic Lolita and the Gothic.

Are your feet fit for summer? During the winter our feet are kept well out of sight and it's easy to neglect the little dears! You need to get them fit, healthy and beautiful for summers to make sure you have beautiful feet when you bare all on the beach.

Go on, give those feet a treat!

The Book

Lolita, by Vladimir Nabokov, is a famously controversial book first published in 1955 and is now a classic of 20th century literature. The infamous 'hero' of the book is Humbert Humbert, a middle-aged man who becomes obsessed with a 12-year-old girl named Dolores Haze, nicknamed Lolita. Is this an erotic book? Some might say so, but you're going to have to work hard, it's not an easy read. Perhaps you would be closer if you saw it as a tragicomedy characterized by irony and sarcasm

The Movie

The first film adaptation was made in 1962 by Stanley Kubrick, and starred James Mason, Shelley Winters, Peter Sellers and Sue Lyon as Lolita. In 1997 a second film was made, directed by Adrian Lyne and starring Jeremy Irons as Humbert Humbert and Melanie Griffith as Lolita. It received mixed reviews but I have just re-watched this film and I found it absolutely captivating. A wonderful film visually - every shot is a work of art, and full of dark comedy. The controversial subject matter delayed release and is just as distasteful today as in the 1950s. Notice how often Lolita's feet are featured in Adrian Lyne's film.

Sweet Lolita fashion in the 1997 film

If you watch the film yourself, you might be struck by the black and white outfit that Lolita wears about half-way through the film. There are references to Alice's dress in Tenniel's illustrations for Alice in Wonderland, and it is clearly an inspiration for the Lolita dresses today.

Why not read it yourself and see what all the fuss was about? I can vouch for it being a captivating if not cheerful book.

The Poster of the Movie

The posters for the 1962 movie has become and iconic image of the 50's and early 60's, and has made heart shaped glasses the most infamous fashion accessory. Interestingly, the glasses don't appear in either of the films.

Why not team those hot Lolita shoes with matching heart sunglasses and sizzle this summer?