Status Symbols: Because Everyone Has Crowns Already

The coveted, rare prints; the $500 onepieces; the completely frivolous, when-will-you-ever-use-that-except-for-maybe-one-photoshoot item. Baby the Stars Shine Bright's scepter; Twinkle Mermaid; bunny bear bags. We all know which items in the Lolita community fit the bill of 'status symbol'. They're generally expensive, impractical, or hard to obtain (or all three, of course). But we want them. What's the secret?

Here's my theory: Lolita is fashion already suited to princesslyness. (Yes, it's a word, and yes, I invented it. ;) So you can have, in any one group, a collection of princesses. They're all dressed to the height of a princess-style, in laces and bows and the ultimate of opulence. But that's the thing - they all are. It used to be fancier clothing was how we set ourselves above other people in a class system. Think of traditional princesses. They dressed fancier than their ladies-in-waiting, who were fancier than chambermaids, who were fancier than goat-girls. But now they're all dressed alike because supposedly we live in a classless society (so not getting into that right now). But we still have an innate nature to compete and establish that we are alpha characters - or worthy of the upper circle, at least. And we're all already wearing crowns and tiaras, so how do we establish our dominence over others? With status items.

Status items represent several things. The first and foremost is money. If you have the $500 or even $700 dress, it represents that you have disposable income. And unfortunately money talks and at least in America, is how the social levels are created. But it's also a sign of dedication - you not only had the money, you spent it on this particular item rather than stretch it somewhere else. You may have diligently hunted for it, or saved pennies for months, or sold other pieces. But it was probably a lot of effort, and certainly means that you take the subculture seriously (serious business, amirite?) So on the level of dedication, it's also important, especially in a culture always looking for posers and itas. It's a protective amulet against the ita-hunt (though of course brand does not a Lolita make, but it does help -especially if they're blinded by your fabulous item).

It also shows that you're up-to-date on what is in, another sign that you have dedication to Lolita. Just like everybody runs out to buy sequin-covered bags and other trendy items in mainstream fashion, everybody is stumbling over themselves to get their hands on (insert item here) in the Lolita world. To get it means you're in the know.

And the big one? It's highly sought after. Other Lolitas will be jealous. This typically garners one of two reactions: "Oh GOD why can't I have that dress, I want to be just like (name here!), (wails and pounds keyboard)"; or, "Oh GOD why can't I have that dress, I hate (name here!) for having it! (wails and pounds keyboard)". So in one breath you can garner either lots of friends with deep adoration for your or lots of enemies with a deep hatred of you. This swings more deeply in both directions depending on how many status symbols you have - like a bell jar (this probably requires me to make a graph, but...). And these people remember you. Lots of people remember you - either as, 'the girl with all the dresses!' or that '***** with all those dresses, does she sleep around for those or what?' But if you wanted celebrity, there it is. Both the good and the bad.

Okay, so I veered off into the dangerous land of Lolita popularity and e-fame, but to get back to the original purpose. The status symbols hold small molecules of power and respect. That's why people want them. My advice? Either don't get sucked in - which is admittedly hard - or don't go overboard. If you like one of the status symbols because you like it, go for it. If you want it just because it's cool and the other Lolitas will say, 'KAKKOII/KAWAII!!1!' then maybe you should think about it for a while. Is that really the only way you can gain friends in the Lolita world? Whatever happened to your unique sense of coordination, your sparkling personality, or artistic talents?

On the other hand, one or two little items doesn't kill you. It's a confidence boost, no bones about it. If you want that one item - say, the gold Angelic Pretty necklace (pictured above, my daydream!) then go for it. You'll get your taste of it, people will coo, and that'll be that.

But if you are the kind of person who desperately needs that closet full of rare prints and bunny bags, who continuously flaunts the contents of your wardrobe, beware: it's not just the adoring fans who are watching you.

Labels: discussion

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 2:29 PM