While researching pictures of bows as inspiration to send to Pumudi, the illustrator for “Cleo Can Tie A Bow, I came across a bow crazy fashion phenomenon called Sweet Lolita. You may know of this amazingly popular Japanese clothing trend since it has been around since 2011. 

The darling fashion graces its wearers with oh-so-sweet bows. Just look at this cutie.

I quickly learned that Japanese street fashion has ignited many strange trends amongst their youth and others around the world, including here in the USA for many, many years. The Sweet Lolita inspires and is inspired by romanticism, manga, antique lace, toys, tea parties, sweets, and even Alice in Wonderland.

There’s no doubt Sweet Lolita is a colorful journey through the magical world of Japanese fashion. The bow festooned look has evolved in Japan into a modern day fashion trend for young ladies looking for something different and cute. 

The fashion originated in the 1970s and 80s when Japanese girls started to wear pastel colors, doll-like style clothing, big ribbons, bows and cute hair accessories. Every inch of their clothing and hair is decorated with lots and lots of bows along with an over-whelming amount of other super feminine items. The Sweet Lolita style is a subculture that captures the hearts of young and fashionable women in search of sugary sweet cuteness. 

Seeing all of these fashion clothes with bows made me wonder what little Cleo would wear if she had the opportunity.  I asked Pumudi to help me bring her Sweet Lolita look to life.  Adorable. . .don’t you think? This little Cleo features bows, bows, bows with a side of surprise! It turns out imagination is the only limitation when styling this unique fashion!

Finish reading the article at Books, Tea, Healthy Me blog.