Otome (Western)

Otome is used to describe a version of casual Lolita Fashion in the international, especially western, community. The term is used falsely, as Otome (Classic) refers to a completely different style in Japan.

## The Name

Otome (乙女) is the Japanese word for "maiden" and originally referred to a maiden-like fashion and lifestyle with a focus on traditional girl's hobbies.  However, the usage of the term fell out of favor in Japan once it started to be associated with otaku culture in the latter half of the 90s.  While versions of otome still exist to this day, most are now referred to under different names and tags (such as Pink House Style.)

However, despite the name's fall from favor in Japan, it retained its popularity in western circles, where the name is used to refer to a completely different girly style with a casual lolita feel.

## Style Basics

The name "otome" has been recently used to describe a casual lolita-like style in western j-fashion communities. It is unclear why, or how, this change took place in western circles, but the confused version of the style has gained a sizable community in the west, with many groups popping up around the new version of the style. Additionally, many western lolitas have come to accept this western otome as a substyle to lolita.

Similar to Lolita Fashion, western otome often features lolita JSKs, however without the use of petticoats. The style has a vintage, 1950s, feel, and often pairs JSKs with sweaters, mary jane shoes, frilly socks, and other feminine elements.  The style has been described by some as "what a lolita would wear to the office," describing a simpler, more practical style of lolita useful for daily wear.

Similar to traditional otome, it has ties with modesty and feminity. It also shares a number of favored brands, such as Axes Femme and MILK. This means that many sources talking about western otome sound eerily similar to those talking about traditional otome, save their mention of ties to lolita and their different visuals and images.

## Western Otome or Casual Lolita?

Realistically, as western Otome does not tie back to traditional Otome style (save very loosely) it would better be described as Casual Lolita. However, as the term has been so engrained in western J-Fashion consciousness, it is likely that the name will remain in use in western circles despite its inaccuracy, similar to Natural Kei.

## Brands & Shops

Western otome shares many brands with the classic otome style. However, a few brands are unique to the western interpretation.

* Amavel
* Axes Femme
* Emily Temple Cute / Shirley Temple Cute
* Jenny Marple
* Leur Getter
* MILK
* Mulberry Chronicles
* Peppermint Fox

## Gallery

Misako Aoki in MILKLeur GetterEmily Temple Cute,
for Spoon MagazineWestern Otome CommunityWestern Otome Community
## External Links

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Kaori Shoji. "Japanese women staying in touch with their inner virgin." The Japan Times. May 24, 2002. Retrieved August 26, 2020 from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2002/05/24/language/japanese-women-staying-in-touch-with-their-inner-virgin/#.XEzW0DBCeUk
2. ↑ "Girls' Culture - Contemporary Girls' Culture (translated title)." Wikipedia. (October 24,
2018). Retrieved August 26, 2020 from https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B0%91%E5%A5%B3%E6%96%87%E5%8C%96#%E7%8F%BE%E4%BB%A3%E3%81%AE%E5%B0%91%E5%A5%B3%E6%96%87%E5%8C%96
3. ↑ "A Lolita's sister - A guide to Otome Kei." Dipped in Chocolate. April 24, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2020 from http://dippedinchocoarchive.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-lolita-sister-guide-to-otome-kei.html
4. ↑ "What is Otome Kei." Little Miss Wonderland. February 3, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2020 from https://www.misskwonderland.com/what-is-otome-kei/
5. ↑ Examples: A Lolita's Sister - A guide to Otome Kei, Otome VS lolita, Can we discuss Otome-kei a bit?, What is Otome Kei?, ilovejfashion, f-yeah-otome-kei-blog, Daily Otome, and Otome Closet: Daily Otome Coords!
6. ↑ "Otome Closet: Daily Otome Coords!" Facebook Group. March 13, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2020 from https://www.facebook.com/groups/814966851851332/
7. ↑ ilovejfashion tumblr. Retrieved August 26, 2020 from https://ilovejfashion.tumblr.com/
8. ↑ f-yeah-otome-kei-blog tumblr. Retrieved August 26, 2020 from https://f-yeah-otome-kei-blog.tumblr.com/
9. ↑ DAILYOTOME Livejournal. Retrieved August 26, 2020 from https://dailyotome.livejournal.com/425.html
10. ↑ Comment. August 1, 2020. Kei Club Facebook Group. Retrieved August 26, 2020 from https://www.facebook.com/groups/keiclub/?post\_id=2556906504640138
11. ↑ candy\_gram. "Can we discuss Otome-kei a bit?" EGL Livejournal. March 18, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2020 from https://egl.livejournal.com/19906957.html
12. ↑ refried papermache. "Otome VS lolita." LOLITA\_INDIES Livejournal. January 1, 2008. Retrieved August 26, 2020 from https://lolita-indies.livejournal.com/3166.html