Goth Lolita: Coquette-Core's Cooler Sister

When girly charm and cuteness collide with something darker, you get the ultimate Goth Lolita wardrobe – this Fall/Winter’s must-have style.

Tennis star Naomi Osaka made a bold fashion statement at the recent US Open, sporting a custom Goth Lolita-inspired outfit designed by Yoon Anh of Ambush. Credit: Courtesy of Ambush
Tennis star Naomi Osaka made a bold fashion statement at the recent US Open, sporting a custom Goth Lolita-inspired outfit designed by Yoon Anh of Ambush. Credit: Courtesy of Ambush

Gothic Lolita fashion is making a striking entrance this season, blending dark elements – think leather, metallic accents, and intricate corsetry – with whimsical Victorian touches like oversized bows and frilly petticoats. Imagine coquette-core’s goth sister stepping out of a Tim Burton film; this style, rooted in the mid-1990s Japanese Lolita youth subculture and influenced by the Victorian era and Rococo art, is celebrated for its dramatic contrasts – deep blacks paired with rich purples or fiery reds, all softened by feminine details that evoke romance.

Lolitas spotted in the wild in Tokyo.

John W. Banagan/Getty Images

A standout moment in this revival was Naomi Osaka’s bold appearance in two Goth Lolita-inspired outfits by Nike, designed by Yoon Anh, co-founder of the Tokyo label Ambush, at the recent US Open. These eye-catching ensembles not only showcased the captivating aesthetic but also sparked discussions about the overarching Lolita aesthetic and the revival of Harajuku fashion, proving that nostalgia and modernity can beautifully coexist in today’s fashion landscape.

Ready to embrace this look? Here’s our curated starter pack to get you started.


Leather vest, $6,570, Chloe

Chloe
1/13

Re-Nylon midi skirt, $3,200, Prada

Prada
2/13

Leather Skirt, $399.90, H&M

H&M
3/13

Silk and lace dress, $12,700, Valentino

Valentino
4/13

Mesh mini dress, $1,650, Balenciaga

Balenciaga
5/13

Cotton tulle dress, $2,463, www.ivykirk.com

Ivykirk
6/13

Satin slip dress, US$1,835 (S$2,427), Moschino

Moschino
7/13

Shearling collar, $2,043, www.anndemeulemeester.com

Ann Demeulemeester
8/13

Polyester earrings, $776, Simone Rocha

Simone Rocha
9/13

Hannah Martin x Applied Art Forms Razor silver ring, $600, Dover Street Market Singapore

Dover Street Market
10/13

Multipocket Studs leather top handle bag, $4,000, Acne Studios

Acne Studios
11/13

Leather boots, $2,890, Burberry

Burberry
12/13

Nicole Saldana leather Mary Janes, $647, www.ssense.com

ssense.com
13/13
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