The Military and Lolita Fashion

[@katiec564]

This is why I think its really important for people to educate themselves on certain motifs and dogwhistles that were/are used by nazis, and to just learn generally about one of the most important wars in history?? Like the hat on the meta release is SO obviously supposed to be the nazi war eagle. And for them to say that the Japanese have no understanding of WWII is CRAZY considering they were literal allies to Germany and did many similar horrific things. Like i dont think military lolita is inherently problematic but it really needs to be done with a nuanced view. I am usually a person who is for breaking boundaries and going against the status quo, but this is one of those things that absolutely needs to be respected. It can genuinely be dangerous to go out wearing nazi symbolism, both for the person wearing it and for others.

[@katiec564]

And people need to realize that unfortunately many of those beliefs are still around. Even though WWII feels like it was a long time ago, it was less than a hundred years ago and many people still follow those ideologies. Its absolutely disgusting and I would never want to risk people associating me with something like that. There are plenty of military inspired dresses that don't use straight up nazi symbolism and to still insist on wearing releases that use them is willfully ignorant at best

[@Carolmikuu]

@@katiec564 yes 10000% agreed!!!

[@sleepysartorialist]

As a Black and Indigenous person if I see someone wearing that hat I am leaving. 😅 I feel unsafe tbh.

[@pennycarr4754]

Some of the enforcer uniforms in the show Arcane (especially in season one) looked like military lolita and I think it was a great design choice. I'm not usually a big fan of military lolita in real life though

[@Carolmikuu]

Oh yeah I know what u mean!! Fiction is always a lil different to real life!! I loved arcane tho

[@sleepysartorialist]

Yeah as someone military-orbiting irl not by choice, it makes me feel weird. Most of the people I know who wear that style on purpose are also very extreme in their views. They're a bit concerning 😂

[@mistressofbats]

This is a hot topic in the Gothic community too! Many of these "Military Goths" are also mostly rightwinged too. It's scary. Some of them are even proud to own real WWII items. The style always weirds me the S out. Especially as a German myself.

[@acid_tongue_4315]

So weird because goth is literally leftist and anarchist leaning- Its a post punk movement. I just see em as posers and move on- some ppl genuinely just like being edgy, and tey to join a subculture without knowing what its about smh.

[@SebastianSeanCrow]

Yeah I remember years ago someone saying they got a hat and the maker accidentally put the Nazi symbols on it and they decided to just… wear it anyway 🙃🙃🙃

[@Carolmikuu]

@@mistressofbats omg I didn't even know that!! Crazyyy

[@mistressofbats]

@@Carolmikuu even crazier when you see them in broad daylight at WGT in Leipzig. Yes, even in 2024 🤢

[@sleepysartorialist]

Yeah as someone who does both styles interchangably it's pretty annoying. Esp given the ethos behind goth. How can you be into that lifestyle and also hateful? It doesn't make sense.

[@Twlacy-p4d]

Hi! Military lolita person here! I love military lolita because I've always loved the looks of military uniforms. Military lolita is like 'a suit but it's a cute dress!' I love suits and uniforms but make them dresses and I'm sold!! But I completely agree with how controversial the subgenre is. That's why I always do heavy research on the military lolita outfits I'm buying so I know I'm not buying something literally copying a Nazi uniform. I usually buy military INSPIRED dresses rather than the ones literally trying to make war look cute. Also because the inspired dresses just give off this cute fantasy vibe but mixed with my love for uniforms and dresses. Or I just make my own! A thrifted trench coat and some creativity goes a long way! So, please do research before buying military lolita!! Educate yourself on war history, always look for the military INSPIRED dresses, and don't wear arm bands with the uniform!

[@orderofdusk2382]

Yeah if I ever got into military lolita, I'd either do what you do or I'd make outfits inspired by CNT-FAI and other anti-fascist militant organizations; the idea that anyone would wear a fash outfit to be "cute" and "quirky" makes me want to shove an icepick in my eye, or better yet find people who think that is a good idea and introduce their teeth to the back of their throat at high velocity. For context CNT-FAI were a leftist anarchist organization (aka objectively based) who fought in the Spanish Civil War against fascists (aka double objectively double based). Jokes aside I think replication the uniforms of those who fought fascism and imperialism is far more morally defensible than replicating the uniforms of f-ing Nazis, but that's probably obvious to anyone with functioning neurons.

[@_kaleido]

I really like the more fantasy-inspired military coords you showed at the end. I do like the aesthetic of the substyle but I agree that a lot of it can be insensitive, also the coord inspired by the Vietnam War? are we gonna have coords inspired by 9/11 in 20 years 💀

[@Carolmikuu]

Yeah big time agreed!!! A more fantasy approach is far better, and the Vietnam War one was just...

[@UsagiisChii]

I agree here. I don't want the real world seeping anywhere close to my closet besides structure and fantasy inspired

[@DrApocalyptus]

I think the person saying "I am wearing a dress inspired by the holocaust" was probably calling out the OP by highlighting how ridiculous it is

[@Carolmikuu]

@@DrApocalyptus yeah could be!

[@karolinedemon]

I hope so

[@Reikorei]

Visual Kei and Lolita have always walked hand in hand, and I remember the Gazette's Ruki Nazi outfit controversy back in the day. Found a tumblr blog titled "In honor of Ruki's Nazi controversy, here is a retrospective of Japanese musicians wearing SS and SS-inspired costumes". What a gallery sheesh... One COULD say that the attitude towards nazi uniforms is a bit different in Japan compared to Europe as it is very fetishised there as an edgy symbol of ultimate power/evil. The events of Nazi Germany are so distant (at least physically) and aestheticization of anything European is very common - and also in the basis of Lolita fashion. So there is kind of an apolitical side to it. In WW2 Japan did their own horrors that are still concealed and not discussed. After the huge student riots in 60s Japan had a huge overhaul of their educational system to make youth more submissive to authorities and less politics-minded...anyway there is a very sad overlap with alternative styles and alt-right wing politics. Aesthetics and values can easily walk hand in hand. Aestheticization leads to normalizing. Normalizing extremism, fascism, racism or violence is not ok.

[@heyy_trixxy]

People like the uniform look. There are so many uniforms that have a similar look, but don't make war look "cool". Pilots, train conductors, circus ringmasters, etc. They all have buttons, capes, braided chains, and even the hat. If they want a military look that's not associated with violence, they can copy sailor/navy uniforms. The Navy is more associated with aid and ocean protection. Sailor themes are already common in EGL, so creating a more accurate look would be easier and more acceptable.

[@Carolmikuu]

Truee sailor lolita I think is a better approach and as u said is alr very popular within lolita spaces!!

[@AC-dk4fp]

Unfortunately 'army bad navy good' is an element of Japanese WW2 apologia (there's a time travel anime/manga called Zipang which makes heavy use of this theme to keep its protagonists the good guys).

[@Carolmikuu]

@AC-dk4fp oh I didn't even know that tbh..thank you for bringing that up!! Learning sm from this comment section

[@calamarical]

Hiiii military lolita chiming in! My first dress in the substyle was the bodyline OP at the beginning of your video, dream dress is the cherry blossom set you showed at the end 🌸I wish you had talked more about punk fashion and why punks use military elements! I think many military lolitas and punks use uniform/military elements (capes, badges, epaulets aka those shoulder thingys, etc) in the same way sometimes, to reclaim some of the power these fashion elements have. I don't own any prints with guns, but as an American lolita I enjoy the rebellious edge to combining symbols of masculine power with cute things like sweets and flowers, it's a way to challenge conservative beliefs about gender, about the divide between military/civilian, or to make light of nationalism and American exceptionalism.

[@judiroo1]

I really appreciate your comment about the ties between punk and military (as a punk myself!) and I completely agree. I think this video has a lot of great content regarding some of the very real issues within military fashion and reasons why it's often somewhat controversial (or entirely). However, I think understanding the punk connection to military symbols really adds another layer of context that I hope people will continue discussing when it comes to military lolita and why some people wear it.

[@charlyzard]

while cherry blossoms are used in a large variety of contexts, seeing them associated with the military does have historical precedent; they were used by the imperialist japanese military in ww2. e.g. famously by the kamikaze pilots, as a nationalist symbol. this is based on cherry blossoms commonly symbolising the ephemerality of life, but as a japanese icon it served as propaganda, a symbol for japan's "tradition" and supremacy. this is why for example an ultranationalist secret society called themselves "sakura-kai". disclaimer: this isn't proof the dress was intended to have any of these connotations. it's just something to be aware of so we can all make informed decisions on what we choose to wear.

[@zooh8017]

This is really important context, this makes so many instances of cherry blossoms and military motifs make sense now I had no idea

[@momokunn]

I like the "military" silhouette it's so chic imo, but it could went south quite quickly because of the historical theme to it. but then again it could open discussion which some people like!

[@Chisei1000]

Ive seen the " nutcracker lolita" style called "regimental", that's what they say on lolibrary. I love that specific style!

[@SebastianSeanCrow]

12:17 for the cats: I remember this happening and a lot of people didn’t realize the cats were based off Chinese Military uniforms and there were lots of arguments about it…..

[@acid_tongue_4315]

I love military lolita! Not realistic military lolita- Like, no green or a lot of black. Im talking stuff that Kasane Teto wears. Fantasy military lolita, is prob a better term for what I love. Ive been obsessed with military lolita since I was a kid first learning of lolita

[@lilja5884]

Um... On the Valkyrie thing. Referencing Norse mythology actually makes it worse, as Norse mythology was *the aesthetic* of Germany during a certain era. It was incorporated into their ideology, insignia, art, etc. (I'm Scandinavian myself and I avoid everything Norse mythology because of its strong association with bad people)

[@Carolmikuu]

@lilja5884 thank you for pointing that out!! I agree 100%

[@kcio3erene307]

i listen to enough black metal ti know this😭

[@hachiko133]

And not only in that era. If you look into the antisemitism and anti Judaism of the 19th century (and earlier), especially in Europe, held as a very casual sentiment you can find in most newspapers, laws, company rules... . It is absolutely disgusting. And this was even further popularized by Richard Wagner. The ideology through his operas but his whole sentiment he published in a pamphlet "Das Judentum in der Musik". I don't think I need to apply any trigger warning that this is an absolutely disgusting read. Especially considering the impact it had. And yes, sharing a name with one of Wagner's Operas "Die Walküre", doesn't make this choice any better. Certainly Wagner was a very talented musician. But big as his talent he as a person was an asshole. I am a hobby historian, also from Germany. My special interest is the 19th an early 20th century in parts of Europe and the US. Due to my work on a biography of a very lovely singer of Jewish descent, I have become a little bit familiar with that aspect, too. And it is so painful to see what impact this had on the Jewish community. I really appreciate you and your videos and am so happy there is a (relatively) new creator in the Lolita community putting so much thought and kindness into their work. ❤ Thank you a lot and I'm looking forward to your next videos 😊❤

[@saga7516]

What connotation references to north mythology have very much depends on the context. Seeing a T-rune sticker on the busstop window is absolutely not the same seing an ad for eg. a Thor movie in the exact same place. That "Valkyrie" clothing line definatly gives bad vibes tho

[@SunnyDiaP]

I was actually in love with military lolita a few years ago - mostly for the silhouette, I never thought about styling it with gun-like props or anything. I'm from an European country which was badly damaged during wars, studied history for a bit and I'm left-leaning so that's a weird mix. I even bought a piece these few years ago but never got to wear it outside. As the time went on, I started feeling worse and worse about having it in my closet and wearing it. Today I agree that it might look a little bit insensitive if styled wrong and my piece unfortunately slightly does - since it's red 💀

[@Carolmikuu]

Oh woah yeah I totally get that!! I think sometimes it comes w growing up/learning about the world. But hey u know better now so hell yeah!!

[@RCZeta919]

People as individuals are always going to make bad choices, but for a whole ass brand to make a Reich-core release is so so so cringe 😬😬😬

[@Fioccodeisogni]

At first my husband wanted to try military ouji and we were trying to find stuff. At the beginning ok, then when we had to to pick the hat we look at each other and we say "nope! Let's switch to a classic ouji just with a touch of military" 😅

[@DrApocalyptus]

My favourite military piece is bunnies band by cat highness, it is military and sweet, and honestly, it is so cute and unique. It is very nutcracker lolita vibe but more alice in wonderland.

[@Carolmikuu]

@@DrApocalyptus uhh sounds good, I'm gonna check ut out!

[@judiroo1]

Militarry lolita/ouji here chiming in: I've got several different substyles that I enjoy wearing, but my two main styles primarily fall into military and punk. I also tend to use some military elements in my day-to-day punk attire. I've honestly never met another military lolita in the wild. However, I have heard lots of stories about people like those who you mentioned in this video, which is maybe why I actively avoid meeting people unless I know that their interest in military lolita is not coming from a place of ignorance or glorifying militaristic symbols. It honestly baffles me that people wear military lolita without using any degree of critical thinking. The prospect of people wearing it because they support war, a particular military, or because they don't realize how systemically abusive the military is is challenging for me to comprehend. I greatly respect individuals who join the military, and I recognize that it provides many opportunities for people. Still, I am also a military brat who is outspokenly opposed to the military as an institution. An ample reason why I got into wearing military lolita was that it became a very cathartic way for me to express my complicated relationship with the military as a whole following growing up in a military family. The lifestyle was really hard on us, and I think in a lot of ways, my dad going to war several times permanently strained our family dynamic and caused a great deal of trauma. Wearing military lolita began becoming a way for me to explore some of those feelings in a way that felt creative without having to address them head-on. I think many people who grow up in military families have an appreciation for individuals as soldiers; however, later in life, they have issues with the military as an institution. Many of us (myself included) support anti-war-related work or movements. I find it incredibly frustrating to know that people navigate military lolita with so much ignorance and don't take the time to educate themselves on ACTUAL military fashion history. There is nothing wrong with being drawn to military styles and silhouettes, but when people don't try to educate themselves, even just a little bit, it shows. I am not as big of a fan of prints; I usually prefer military cuts and colour schemes more than anything else. Especially IF you don't have a military background/come from a military family, I encourage people to take the time to educate themselves before buying military pieces. I'm pretty particular about looking into the historical inspiration behind a piece and which military uniforms they may mirror; it doesn't take much time or effort to do so. Further, regardless of my appreciation for fashion, there are pieces that I outright refuse to wear because I don't want to coordinate a look that mirrors fascist ideologies. There is always a limit to my comfort within military fashion, and I think that's perfectly fine. I may have a deep appreciation for military lolita, but the LAST thing that I want is to wear something that reflects Nazi uniforms. Having limits in the military lolita is a good thing. I encourage anyone in the fashion industry to consider where their interest in it comes from and be incredibly mindful when building a military lolita wardrobe.

[@jellygirljude]

I think it can be good if it takes more of a fantasy/fictional uniform approach rather than based directly off actual military uniforms. I liked the outfit on the left you showed at 15:11, it reminded me a bit of Mami's uniform from Madoka Magica!

[@neptunianRefrain]

i bought a military lolita OP as my first ever OP because i loved the colors and the details of the dress. it doesn't really resemble any specific real world military uniforms, so i felt safe buying it. when it arrived it came with some accessories including some medal pins, and one of them looked like a nazi one... yikes... i slightly regret buying it, but i also still really love the OP itself... i do like the more fantasy inspired military lolita looks, i've run into quite a few cute military style OPs or coords on pinterest. and as for props, if people *really want* to have a weapon prop, they should use a sword instead. it doesn't feel as violent as a gun does, at least to me. personally, i'll be going without a prop, and will carefully style my OP. i feel like with the right pieces and accessories, i could probably make it look less military. another comment here gave some suggestions for jobs with similar uniforms, so i'll take inspiration from those instead.

[@reemm8522]

Um.. 🙋🏻‍♀️from a third world country and we definitely know more world history than most in "first world" countries

[@Carolmikuu]

@reemm8522 sorry if my take sounded offensive!!! I 100% believe that you guys are aware of history and probs r trying to suppress the actual history less than first world countries lol

[@julienicol9202]

Canadian here, I generally don’t like the military Lolita fashion sub genre. It’s never appealed to me for the sole reason of the ignorance displayed by 1. The companies and designers that okay styles based off of hateful military groups such as dictator lead military governments in WWII that committed atrocities. 2. The people who wear such styles defending it to hell and back saying “it’s okay to wear it” even when knowing the awful truth about the pieces’ original inspirations. Hate should have no place in alternative fashion communities, it’s a sad truth that hate has been in the EGL community for a long time though, in some ways it’s getting better but unfortunately some people are still hateful and ignorant human beings. It’s an eternal face palm when designers and companies, intentionally or not, proliferate outward hateful sediments with the designs they choose to put out. I only enjoy the nutcracker like designs since it’s generally more fantasy/ prince/ royalty or royal guard like and seemingly less violent. I am also pretty anti-military, and as a Canadian don’t see a lot of g*ns where I am and want more reform for my neighbors in the US so their children can be safe from harm in school.

[@Carolmikuu]

@julienicol9202 you put that so well. My thoughts exactly!! I pretty much dislike all of it, apart of the nutcracker designs bc of the reasons you mentioned. As sb from Germany I also have no connections to guns and find it pretty dystopian that there are people who carty "casually" guns around. Thank you for tje input!

[@SebastianSeanCrow]

8:22 I will say the German imperial eagle has been used long before and long after the Nazi regime. But the Nazis had their own specific design.

[@S5S5066]

Yes but now I'd argue its inexplicably linked

[@eunicee999]

@@S5S5066right.. like the swastika motif

[@cap4life1]

8:51 Friendly reminder that folks in third world countries know history. Usually much better than those in first world countries! You are from Germany so I’m surprised by this ignorant statement from you. Also Military Lolita ❌🤮 Regimental Lolita ✅❤

[@mylatsuki]

Yeah... I'm also from a so called third world country and this comment was extremely bad. We actually study a lot of world history here.

[@bobguy3939]

huh, such a lot to get into. I'm British and for me army style is more about surplus, taking used uniforms and reusing/remaking . the idea of replication or of being the soldier is new to me.

[@karolinedemon]

13:26 i get being inspired by history with taste or even combining cute and scary themes and using pieces and symbols in contadicting way like punks BUT THIS is crazy thats perfect example of just being insensitive

[@sleepy_cloud2501]

Honestly I think uniforms with historical elements to them or parade uniforms are really pretty. But fashion (at least imo) isn’t just about the aesthetics of something but also what it represents, and taking inspiration from such terrible events doesn’t sit right with me. I’ve seen other comments discussing sailor Lolita as a close alternative and I agree, you get the uniform look but it has historical ties other than just the marine

[@mgsgamer8340]

8:35 OMG... this girl fr does not know ANYTHING abt Japan in WWII weren't they literally in alliance with germany at that time? thats so funny what 😭😭

[@dinosavrvsrex]

Hi, longtime Osakan resident commenting, algorithm suggested this video to me. Originally from Madrid so know fash when I see it and been whatever the male equivalent of a gothic Lolita is for several years as well. Went to a goth event here last February and... The goth scene here in particular is just ripe with Narzer and uyoku (J-fash) stuff, much to my chagrin and sadness: actual SS uniforms, people greeting each other with 513g H31ls, the works. For the most part and from what I understand of it - this predates my time in the country and this sort of stuff just breaks my heart and mind so I can only dig so deep into it the history of it before losing faith in everything and everyone - it's any one of cultural ignorance , edgelording for a certain generation (40s-60s in 2025) and also in some instances a fetish signifier (being an S or D). Contrary to what you state in the video I do believe there is a bit of the old island mentality syndrome popping up here. I would push back against your 'Japanese people know better' - yes, the average person here would view this sort of thing as a bit off but... Unlike from what I understand in Germany where WWII was addressed generationally, in Japan there was the not-so-small matter of the bombings by the Americans (and absolutely, fair enough. Shitty people on all sides doing various degrees of shitty things, this is why I would never attempt to glamourise war or military) which means that Hiroshima/Nagasaki is the prevailing cultural memory, I would argue. But back to the 'island mentality/outside world doesn't matter' thing, which is not exclusive to Japan, do a quick google search for 'japanese scandal n*** uniform' and you'll get any number of results from within the entertainment industry (Kishidan, one of the 48 groups and NJPW off the top of my head over the past 20 years) or, sadly, big business and politics. Like you said in the video, more generally and within a certain generation there's a lot of 'oh yeah the Narzers, really horrible people but great fashion sense, what's the big deal' and just wanted to say thank you for raising this matter on your channel and more importantly, not having any of it. Really glad you brought this up - danke sehr und Lolitas gegen Rechts!

[@mercycunningham2813]

Especially the WW2 inspired uniforms are unfortunate. I mean ok the SS uniform was desiged by Hugo Boss so yes it looks cool. I get why people like them. But buying/waering those has - I don't know how to put it - consequences? A person who wears those signals to N@zis that they are OK with the ideology, even like them. So they will be approached by those people even if they are just stupid girls. Maybe not so much in Asia. But in the US or Europe it's like a hit me sighn on your back. Especially in Europe some people could take it as a very personal insult. Death glares and verbal assaults are the least problems possible.

[@floran3098]

Honestly? Its tough to explain. The victorian and roccoco eras lolita fashion take inspiration from would both have guard uniforms, and military, and the like. Pieces like that I am super keen on, short of looking like a frilly colonizer, obviously. Its where the nutcracker styles come from, and is technically a reenactment, but how many people are alive and have memories of napoleon rocking their shit? Those who have stories are far enough seperated, and the styles we have are fantastical enough that even in affected communities back then today wouldn't deem it insensitive. Its fantasy play. But with ww2 outfits? Shit. You have people who were alive back then, or maybe once or twice removed. It can and could still be causing direct trauma to these people. I know no military uniform would have a cupcake skirt, but sometimes the themes are too spot on.

[@AC-dk4fp]

Is frilly aristocrat really any different from frilly colonizer?

[@anisseezra68]

ironically i always loved anything that has a military design/feel to it (mostly because i grew up in the military and most if not all of my family members have been in the military at some point of their lives), so military lolita instantly clicked with me, although i can see why these things can be controversial (one of the reasons why i am reluctant with wearing and endorsing in this specific lolita style)

[@1ntrnt_danshi]

I can really understand your discomfort when it comes to guns as accessories in military lolita fashion. My family owns a gun from the WW2 times, and even though it’s sealed and unloaded, just holding it makes me so uncomfy and kinda scared. They’re definitely not things to be used as accessories:\

[@EmilRay-b3h]

I think the aesthetics were you talk about disturbing imagery and cute things combined is guro/yami kawaii/menhera kei. These 2 aesthetics stand as their own style, but are often incorporated into other fashion styles. I really like the idea of guro and yami kawaii but I do think that it can get insensitive really fast, so when people wear those styles (or fashion styles w influences from that) they should really think if its rude or not. for example, I like kawaii fashion combined with s3lf h4rm elements such as ropes, needles and pills. those can be harmful if romantacized, but I personally like them bcs I think its a great way to cope with mental health problems and it can raise awarness IF DONE RIGHT. Honestly with both millitary lolita and the styles above its just really about knowing your intentions and peoples boundaries. (i apologize if anything I mentioned is false information)

[@pinkesthibiscus]

I prefer to avoid it as a general theme. The cherry blossom dress at the end was exquisite though.

[@thenekoromancer7024]

Now, personally, I LOVE military Lolita fashion, and generally, I tend to be a more left leaning person. I think for me, tho it's more about a break away and play up from gendered norms. See, traditionally, women have had certain roles under more patriarchal soceity that tell us how we should act, look and behave, and generally, when it comes to militaria, even in military fantasy spaces there often seems to be a certain exclusion of women. Like the cool badass stuff tends to often be more oriented towards men in general, and sometimes I do feel a certain lack of certain things. And like with fashion like military lolita, it takes the cute femme aspects of traditional feminine clothing but combines it with cool badass more masculine military emlements, which is something I like. It's like, in a way, a rebellion against the standard gendered norms because sometimes I want to be cute but badass at the same time. Tho. For me, I tend to like the more fantasy or gothic oriented styled ones. Like a fantasy evil empire. (The villainess aspect is also a bit of a rebellion of the soceital norms, but I won't get into it too deeply. To keep this more brief) Personally, tho things like the Lofty Goals by ChunLu (pink sakura) dress or scarlet night by ChunLu are much more my preference. However, with examples like the first one, I think it really is not that great. The general outfit itself isn't really as bad, (tho still has some elements I'm not to fond of like the context of use of gothic "wolfenstein" font) but the cap, esp with the Reichsadler, really really gives off really close NS, which is something i feel really really uncomfortable with. Like the eagle looks ripped directly off a Whermacht uniform just with a different symbol and combined with the exact style of cap, it is just too close for comfort. Also to add to that. The norse tie in with the name Die Walkure is uhh really telling. Since the NS did use a lot of influence of Norse myth + Opera esp Wagner in their style and stuff. Like eg. SS divisions has runes often used for their emblems. The whole outfits listing vibes and such are just wayyy to off.

[@Lily.-ve2zg]

I actually really love the military cats print, but I understand why some people find it offputting. I personally love combining cute and dark themes, and I know that's not for everyone. It's also worth mentioning that I'm American, and violent imagery is much less taboo here (unfortunately, most of us are very desensitized to violence). Also, I just want to say that I LOVE how you do your makeup.

[@brittany16950]

I actually own Military Sweets in mint, but it doesn’t fit! I’m looking for a JSK that’s not eighty freakin dollars to Frankendress! I would’ve totally bought the Guerilla Kitty release by that one Chinese brand, I thought it was humorous in a dark kind of way!

[@brittany16950]

Because kitties are not scary, and they have been made to be scary. It’s the ridiculousness of the whole thing. Just my opinion.

[@pivoine3176]

Thank you for giving context on where you are from!

[@klaustrophobic3643]

I really wanted to buy the green walkure dress and jacket but i was bullied relentlessly on egl forums for even mentioning. Later i managed to get a piece secondhand. I feel very at ease wearing it in Germany where i live. But i would not feel comfy wearing the hat😂 that symbol is like the original symbol was crushed by a hammer. But honestly i consider the walkure stuff more goth then lolita. Its how i combine my walkure dress; with my goth stuff. So i asked my husband, who is born in Germany, what he thinks of the full line. He says everything is good except the hat! He said thats a really tricky fine line and better not wear that in public because yes that will upset people. The eagle is a bit dumb dont know how they thought thats a great idea😂 The hat would fit great on Elon 😅

[@klaustrophobic3643]

My husband just said; dont get why they did not put the french lily on the hat instead of the eagle. Then it eould fit together and be completely okay. I think he makes a great point.

[@sike7770]

I wouldn't say I'm a military lolita, but that the style does appeal to me and that I'm too much of a coward to wear it (for most of the reasons you mentioned in the video). Generally I see the style used more in character design than in person since it allows the artist to make a feminine design that fits in with a military setting, a popular one that comes to mind is Kasane Teto's SynthV design where the military aspects are meant to be more of a formalwear thing than a "pulls a gun out of her skirt to shoot you" thing-- which might be why the substyle feels more costume-y to people? A side note: the sakura inspired military outfit, while pretty, feels like it takes inspiration from the song Senbonzakura which is pretty blatantly Japanese Imperialist Propaganda about "how sad it is that Japan lost ww2 and lost its identity" which personally rubs me the wrong way... And is just a huge reason why as cool as this substyle looks to me, there are all sorts of little nods here and there to historic atrocities that I don't want to be associated with or look like I'm endorsing. (PS: that comment from someone about how Japan has nothing to do with the axis powers is genuinely mind boggling, like WHAT???)

[@xobealily]

oh my goshhhh your makeup is cute

[@Carolmikuu]

Thank you sm!!!

[@SebastianSeanCrow]

12:59 I mean if it’s inspired by the Vietnamese revolutionaries I get it But I also don’t want people to just… think they can emulate other races/cultures in ways that make it seem you’re pretending to be something you’re not

[@KlaraFall-sw8hh]

I remember a famous german Lolita who was obsessed with military lolita, espacially the Meta dress.. Behind the doors she was also obsessed romanticizing ww2. So she knew exactly what she was wearing.

[@protox07]

Have a happy new year CarolMiku

[@mikkiemalice]

hahaha when i hit play and immediately saw that fucking meta nazi uniform i knew this was going to be a great one!!!

[@Carolmikuu]

xD thank you, couldn't leave that one out

[@luvruska]

another great video as always 🩷🩷 also 5:18 the german accent is giving🔥🔥🔥

[@Carolmikuu]

Hahah thank you😭🫶🏻

[@sillikyupi]

MILITARY LOLITA ACTUALLY GOT ME 😀😀

[@Carolmikuu]

Wdym?

[@sillikyupi]

​​​It made me confused and it came off kinda funny as first​@@Carolmikuunot saying I thought it's bad but I really like tactical gear and things and this made me feel that way at first until I watched the vid sorry if I explained that badly lol but I do like tactical and lolita || harajuku fashion so I was confuse

[@xNinaStrawberry]

I think the name „die walküre“ is also based on wagners piece „walkürenritt“ (ride of the valkyre) which apparently was liked by h*tler a lot and has been used for many propaganda pieces. (Also by japan for propaganda) Valkyres dont have to be associated with WW2 germany since they also appear in many other areas like fanatady where they are completely unrelated. But in this context im sure its based on wagners piece

[@kawaiidere1023]

7:21 Yeah, the German Nazis did a lot of (highly unethical) science experiments that furthered the understanding of anatomy (because what normal person would do something so horrible). They also constructed a few things and ensured that some of their citizens (those they weren't murdering) were fed somewhat well (for a while). That doesn't outweigh the atrocities committed by that group though. Understanding that a group can have done some things with positive outcomes or some positive things without being good is important. In a similar way, there are good things the US (where I live) has done, but there's also a lot of bad (installing dictatorships, attacking its citizens, criminalizing being unhoused, systemic racism, concentration camps, prison slavery, no medical system, pollution, spying on its citizens, propaganda, etc). It's important to recognize the persuasiveness of bad routes. Hitler was charismatic but killed a ton of people, so its important to analyze someone beyond how they look. Glamorizing or aspiring to look like the Nazi party or any other evil group is bad though. Edit: I hear Germany takes Nazi fascism really seriously and educates people on it, doesn't allow people to promote genocide, and addresses it in their education system. Japan apparently sucks at acknowledging their country's war crimes though (Uniclo's "it was so long ago" ad about invading, murdering, and raping Korea, Hetalia anime, general lack of addressing the subject, etc). I think most German's would probably judge someone harshly for wearing a non acadmic Nazi cosplay (as in not for historical understanding reasons for like a museum, textile history, or something). I like the military lolita style, but more so general stuff like harnasses, armor, swords, FPS outfits, camo, etc. Nazi stuff is bad to wear. Edit 2: Yeah, guns and such are disgusting. Totally agree with you. I'm from Texas, and that kind of thing makes me melt with rage and disgust. The style really needs to keep direct references to IRL violence to a minimum

[@ConfusedOctopus]

It's a good point about the swords, just much more whimsical than guns and just as militaristic, feel like that would take some of the controversy out of the style if the props were swords

[@mazovianthought]

Carol, this was a good and important video, but your take about "third world country who doesn't know any history" is inaccurate. I know people in the global north tend to be condescending, but wearing a dress like Die Walkure would be insensitive in most places around the world. There are lolita communities in most latin american countries, for instance, and I know an outfit like that wouldn't be welcome, and could even cause the person wearing it to be criminally persecuted for displaying hate speech symbols. The global south is not an uneducated lawless mess.

[@Carolmikuu]

@mazovianthought you are absolutely right, what I said was quite ignorant. I should've said something else, I honestly wasn't sure how to phrase it. But I definitely do not believe that third world countries are stupid or uneducated, but it definitely came across that way and I will be sure to word it differently if it comes up again. Thanks for calling it out!!

[@mazovianthought]

​​@@Carolmikuu Thanks for replying! I understood what you meant in the video and didn't mean any harm at all! I do think tho that some people, while trying to make up excuses for untasteful designs, will use condescending and weak arguments like "oh these other people are inherently ignorant and different from us and couldn't understand why it was a poor design choice" which is completely bs.

[@Carolmikuu]

@mazovianthought you are 100% correct!!

[@sleepysartorialist]

Oh can we talk about Sailor style? That's technically military.

[@brighteyeuwu9191]

Honestly I kind of love the style of it I usually go for the blue or pink I don't like the green

[@sleepysartorialist]

The Vietnam War is why I, an American, have half-Thai family members. My aunt was relocated into the USA as a refugee. It's very weird to wear a coord and then casually include, you know, references to war crimes. I don't get it. 😭

[@sodadeibuprofeno]

I thought I was gonna see a camo dress

[@ro9062]

so many videos lately yay !

[@hereticstations]

not meaning disrespect but at 10:02 i can only assume you think the 'strap on the arm' of the cat is some sort of modified, made safer to wear swastika armband, which can certainly explain the questionable vibes you got. however it is a medic armband, the same cat is even carrying a medic kit, so nothing controversial there in that sense, if that's what you were thinking. this cat dress specifically is kinda weird, i've paused the video to look it up because while i'm no expert it did not look like the cats are wearing a ww2 style anything, but rather more modern getup. and since i could find the brand is chinese i can only assume the uniforms, berets etc are more modern chinese based or at the very least inspired. but while that armband is a medic armband no matter what country it is based or inspired from, that's the thing that confused me (and still does) because an armband like that along with a square, tin looking first aid kit is what medics would've had in ww1/ww2 times (maybe even a bit after that, and again i think it generally goes regardless of country), but not on medics that would've had aid kits wrapped in cloth, rather on vehicles or inside buildings where the aid kit would be stored in a classic metal box hanging from the side of the vehicle or wall. so already is incorrect, and then doesn't coincide with a way more modern uniform and beret and helmet that is absolutely more modern (90s/2000s). i personally can't identify the uniform, camo pattern and berets further, but i can only assume the brand made the military cats dress based/inspired by chinese military of various periods of history and mashed it all together. that being said, i'll now finish the video

[@megan2277]

ur videos r so cool

[@Carolmikuu]

Thank youu!!

[@ChiHowl_666]

I am American and i love Lolita fashion bc of course I’m a goth and want more gothic Lolita dresses. Just in my size. They forgot big chested ppl exist that my conteraversal take of the century in the alt community. I really hope military Lolita doesn’t become like USA neo Nazi “punk/alt/ etc…. “ (those are posers actually, i do support nesscary gatekeeping only when they’re weird in that kind pof font specifically. Just started the video. Nazis are i hate you plz GROW UP IF U SE MY COMEMNTS. lol. Thank u for coming to my ted talk. I’m hate Christmas themes personally. -a pagan 2025 jan. 19.🎉🎉🎉🎉 happy Chinese new year btw dragon is now snake.

[@jokerrfox354]

I find it funny that i myself am very agaisnt guns and DESPISE the military...however i actually like the military cats print. I cant really tell you why other than it looks cute and edgy. One thing I was suprise you didnt mention was the Decoden gun fad amoung sweet lolitas.

[@Comuninaup]

12:00 that's not correct about the punk and radical left movement. Of course those groups have till this day are reporting military and war, but specifically oppressive such as N4zist, F4cist, Imp3rialist and Col0nialism Army. That's why the punks during the Vietnam war used to use not any military item, but US Armys clothes and also the flag of the country in a controversial way, dressing as those simbols often with red paint on it to show how hypocritical the US government and military it's. But what i think you missed on is that those groups are not opposed to the use of violence, to armys and military, to guns and etc, so the choice of those aspects in their fashion it's not only a criticism of how capitalism and imperialism uses the violence to oppress "third world" countries, but also to reinvidicade those simbols as a resistance simbol, showing that they are not opposed to fight for liberation, fight using rocks or guns and not against the figure of the military as long as it is a people's military. (Basically: "no war, but class war".) Other than that, i understand and agree with the take of the video. In my opinion, Military Lolita fashion itself it's not a problem as long as they are using those elements in a way to highlight class war and not to normalise N4zism. It's very important to combat the use of violenc3 simply for shock value or joke... There's nothing funny about war and it cannot be downplayed as something "funny". Also believe that Military Lolita should be a style that criticises the female=weak, showing the off hypocrisy of patriarch culture and breaking the trope of "cute girls with guns" being a "funny" assumption. In that way, shows that woman can choose to not conform to both sexu4lity aspects and gender role imposed by Patriarchy.

[@shanicestella2226]

I think western Lolita Community often take it for granted Chinese Lolita brands sometimes , What I like sometimes from them is they dare to be edgy and dare to push the boundaries , giving a middle fingers factor to prudish and dogma oriented American Lolita Community When i once a Rufflechat member (( but relinquishes my member status there )) , There are some topic of certain Lolita dresses that obviously from Chinese lolita brand which some concept are too spicy and trigerring the " Ree Fest " out of certain American Lolitas

[@Carolmikuu]

@shanicestella2226 I guess I can see what you mean, but it's not just the American Lolitas who find some releases questionable. Even here in my German community many lolitas found a lot of taobao releases distasteful. But of course, that varies from release to release!

[@SeaBun_Jellii]

As someone who live in the US, seeing people kinda fantasize guns freaks me out. Like, my old high school got a new gun or bomb threat every single year if not multiple. Plus there are people here who just have guns on them cause they have some conceal carry permit and they like stick it in there back pocket. I hate the idea of conceal carry permits and I'm constantly worried about pissing someone off cause a lot of people have some serious anger issues and mass shooting are still an issue here. When it comes to military outfits I somewhat understand, I was a born and raised military kid so I gotta see a lot of uniforms because of my dads' work, but if you're gonna go all in with the military lolita you're gonna have to do your research cause war in general is horrible and should never be idolized. You can take inspirations like with the sailor collar, bomber jackets, or as you said the nutcracker motif in some dresses, but copy a look down to an almost exact replica is just gross. At the end of the day though, I think the people who defend the style and the brands who produce it are just severely un-inform on the history or straight up do not care. Love the video btw💞💞

[@CandiceBear]

As someone who was there in the LJ days and watched in real time as Meta yoinked /the/ series off of the international site, it was definitely too closely inspired for comfort, but also you need to understand the overall Japanese look at the war. They don’t teach it the way the rest of the world does. I do think objectively the series is very beautiful and sleek- after all, they had a literal fashion designer design the OG N**i uniform…while I do think it was crazy that the set was even made, I don’t think we need to look at it through the lense of Japanese culture. I think if they changed the name and lost the hat/emblem it wouldn’t have such a strong n**i vibe as lots of military uniforms are fairly similar. I also use to think the guerilla cat jsk was ugly AF but over the years I actually like it more and find it kind of cute. That said, my dad and husband are American veterans. I grew up in a small rural town by the US/Mexico border where everyone had guns and lots of people go shooting for fun. I myself am not a big gun person and am very critical on the US involvement in war, especially compared to how my spouse feels. I think military is cool. It’s not something I personally wear, but I can appreciate it in its many forms. While I don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong with someone wearing/owning *that* Meta piece, I do think someone might need therapy if they excitedly exclaim how they have a dress “inspired by the holo****t” because that’s weird AF to say and be excited about.