The Gothic Brands: Where to get Gothic Lolita

I've previously done a YouTube video about this topic, but I felt that it was worth reiterating here. Finding Gothic Lolita can sometimes seem like an arduous task, given that Gothic isn't exactly the most popular substyle at the moment (I would argue that place belongs to Classic now, usurping OTT Sweet's claim to the throne). But it is out there, and it is very accessible. Now, it's important to remember that black =/= Gothic in this--but remember, you can also find some items (blouses, wrist cuffs, socks, etc. as well as main pieces) from Sweet and Classic brands that will work for Gothic!

However, for the purposes of this post, I'm going to be focusing on the main Japanese-based brands that have Gothic Lolita as their focus. I'll likely do an Indie Brand follow-up at a later date, as well, so keep an eye out for that!

One more note: Just because a shop doesn't ship overseas doesn't mean you can't get ahold of their items! You always have the option of a shopping service to get an item you have your eye on. Without further ado, let's take a look at some of the beautiful brands we have at our disposal!

Storenvy and Etsy Shops

Storenvy and Etsy are virtual "malls", of a sorts--and they are chock-full of Lolita-specific shops! But sorting them out can sometimes be a headache, if not impossible at times. So here, I've compiled a list of Lolita-specific shops on Storenvy and Etsy for your browsing pleasure. Some of these shops make full Lolita dresses and a wide variety of items; others specialize in polymer clay jewelry, hairpieces, or accessories. Some dabble in Lolita or Loli-able items, but have items in other areas, as well. The sky is the limit--and I highly encourage you to check them all out!

If you have any shops you would like to add to the list, or find that a link is not working/one of the brands has closed down shop, PLEASE inform me and I'll be sure to fix the issue ASAP! This list is by no means comprehensive, and it's quite likely that I have overlooked quite a few shops that deserve to be on this list!

A note here: I have not purchased from all of these shops myself, so I cannot vouch for the quality of all of them. Be sure to browse a shop's reviews before deciding to purchase from them!