You should read this blog if you are both a 1950s~1990s fashion lover and a Lolita fashion lover. The recommended vintage lolita dresses in this article showcase some characteristics associated with 19-century fashion. Inspired by the past, vintage lolita dresses feature slim waistlines and wide fluffy skirts, reminding you of a modern girl in the movie, elegant and romantic.

1. Polka Dot Pattern

The first vintage lolita coord idea is polka dots, especially black-white polka dots, which are a classic element of retro fashion. In lolita fashion, this element is also frequently used to achieve an elegant overlook.

Audrey Hepburn wearing a polka dot dress

Little Love Song Short Puff Sleeves High Waist OP

Black Film Retro OP

Odelita Bubble Skirt JSK

Odelita Ruffle Trim OP

Odelita Polka-dot Pattern Scarf

By wearing a scarf around your neck, you can also pay respect to Audrey Hepburn's classic look in Roman Holiday.

Audrey Hepburn's classic look in Roman Holiday

Series of Poker Heart Print JSK

Miss Polka JSK

Miss Polka Halter Neck JSK

Polka-dot Print Tiered Ruffle Hem OP

Baby Teddy Empire Waist JSK

Coconut Milk Open Shoulders OP

2. Literary and Art Style

Girls who love museums and libraries should choose this style of vintage lolita dresses. The oil painting print on the dress/skirt makes you feel like stepping back into the last century, like a girl from the oil painting or anime girls in literature club.

The recommended dresses/skirts below are very compatible with European architecture and scenery.

Forest Basket Monet Oil Painting Print Lolita SK

Coronation of Napoleon Oil Painting Print Skirt

Lady and Unicorn Oil Painting Print Skirt

Rebellious Angel Oil Painting Print Skirt

Unicorn Oil Painting Print Skirt

Lovers of My Wife Oil Painting Print Skirt

The victory of the Church OP

Royal Museum JSK

The victory of the Church JSK

Coup of Brumaire OP

Winter Hunting Period JSK

Lamb Print Sailor Collar Pleated Hem OP

The Death of the Butterfly  SK

The Death of the Butterfly  Shirt

The Death of the Butterfly JSK

Moonlight Vintage Oil Painting Print Silk Scarf

Moreover, the usage of scarves with the same color to match your shirt and skirt set can definitely further improve your elegant level.

3. Plain Color

Solid or plain colored dresses can also easy to put together a vintage lolita coord, as long as the dress itself is elegant and feminine.

Although it's the simplest way to put together a vintage vibe lolita coordinate from your already own lolita wardrobe, you still be careful when you choose your matching accessories like waist belt, scarf, hat, and jewelry. You'd better keep your accessories within 3 items and they should be simple but elegant as well.

Bowknot Details Smocked Elastic at Back OP

Graduation Ceremony Open Back OP

Pearl Beauty Pointed Flat Collar OP

Miss Marina Lantern Sleeves OP

Little Winnie Halter Neck Jacquard JSK

Vine Elegant Vintage Mermaid Skirt OP

Cutout Detail JSK+Puff Sleeves Bolero

Serenade Sweetheart Neckline Halter JSK

Elegant Carroll Manor Short Sleeves OP

Princess Diary Off Shoulder Neckline Asymmetrical Drawstring Ruffle Hem OP

Slightly Drunk Lace-up Detail JSK

Warm Breeze Into String Peter Pan Collar OP

Daydream Open Shoulder OP

Dandelion's Promise JSK/OP

Ghost Gems Kuro and Shiro Lolita OP

Raven Cage Gothic Big Bow Bubble Skirt OP

Raven Cage Gothic Thin Shoulder Straps Bubble Skirt JSK

4. Retro Cotton

Cotton fabric can also add an old-school retro vibe to your overall look. The dresses often feature flying sleeves, lace in details, and ruffle hemline, which remind you of an innocent Victorian or Rococo lady from the peaceful countryside.

Flower Knot What the Wind Bring Square OP 

Milk Pudding Sweet Lolita Dress OP 

First Love  Cotton OP

Dream Bouquet Tiered Skirt and Ruffle Trim JSK

Alice's Mind Peter Pan Collar  OP

Hibiscus Maiden  OP

5. Color Blocking

The combination of two or more colors can add a touch of flexibility and sweetness to your vintage lolita coordinate. This coord idea is good when you want to be elegant and sweet for some special occasions like your date.

Pastoral and Poetry Stand Collar OP

Pod Princess Peter Pan Collar  OP

Romance Elegant Lolita Dress OP

Summer Ringo Peter Pan Collar 3/4 Sleeves OP

Coral Sea Sweetheart Neckline Natural Waist OP

Holmes Print Elbow-length Puff Sleeves OP

Black White Gray Tiered Ruffle Hemline OP

Anti-Gravity Bear Project Stand Collar OP

Meet Hepburn Backless Big Bow OP

6. Floral Pattern

I believe that every Lolita's closet has a floral skirt, if you want to wear it with a retro feel you would need various accessories to help.

For example, the silk scarf around the neck, elegant belt, elegant straw hat, a decent short jacket, etc. add a strong retro atmosphere to the floral print lolita dress below.

Tracery Wall  JSK / Jacket Set

Green Wildflowers Floral Jacquard OP

Soul Garden Peter Pan Collar OP

Forest Grapes High-low OP

Forest Grapes V-neck OP

Forest Grapes Peter Pan Collar OP

Erin Series Square Neckline JSK

Wind in Empty Valley JSK

Thumbelina Short Version JSK

Thumbelina Long Version JSK

Midsummer Beauty  OP

Bears Among the Flowers  OP

Sunflower JSK/OP

7. Elegant Girls in Café

This coord idea would be great if you and your friends are planning a meetup in a vintage café. From toe to head, you can be the elegant lady in old movies and enjoy your afternoon teatime.

The key to putting together a good vintage coord for the café is a natural waist lolita dress with "tone-down" colors. The prints can be art or literature themed, or fruit, sweets, and desert-themed as long as they match the theme of your meetup.

Berry Branch Vintage  OP

Tableware 2.0 Shirring Waist Lolita SK

Tableware 2.0 Square Neckline Lolita JSK

Cherry Coco  JSK

Jam Jar Peter Peter Colla OP

Morpheus' Letter Cross and Letter Print Self-tie Straps Lolita JSK

Chunhe V-neck  OP

Wind Letter Lace Cape Fake Two-piece OP

Lemon Love Lemon Print OP

Lemon Love Lemon Print  JSK

8. Vintage Girl in Dance Party

The last vintage lolita coord is quite different from others. It reminds you of a vintage girl from a disco dance party in the 1980s or 1990s.

Disco Print Lolita Cami Top / Skirt Set

Elegant Vintage OP - Color Mint

To sum up, elegance is the only beauty that never fades. Those vintage-inspired lolita coordinate ideas are worth every classic lolita to try. If you have any other vintage-inspired lolita coord ideas, please feel free to leave a comment!