Living vicariously through a subculture.

[rogueslayer452]

Taken from the Crunchy Questions Meme:

What is a subculture that you haven't dipped your toe in, but find absolutely fascinating?

After I had discovered Kamikaze Girls I was quite fascinated with the Lolita subculture, from Sweet Lolita and Gothic Lolita respectively. And in a way, I'm still fascinated by it since it still exists, just not as prominent as it used to be. I've read books and articles on the subject, getting a better idea of what this fashion subculture is about, and it's quite detailed. I did toy with the idea of getting involved with it initially, but decided to opt out because it looked like not only was it an extensive project but also incredibly expensive, and I wasn't sure if I could live up to partaking in that lifestyle. It all looks gorgeous, though, and it still has my fascination all these years later. If I were to take a gander at it, I definitely would go more for the Gothic Lolita look more than anything.

Cosplay as a whole is something I've been wanting to participate in for so long, because I'm someone who loves the idea of dressing up as my favorite character. In a way, I sort of do this on my own at home, just a toned down version because really, I draw inspiration from characters and their clothing choices all the time and I work with what I got. But full-on cosplay, especially at conventions or meet-ups, is something I haven't done yet. I tried doing this one year, but the outfit wasn't finished in time, which was a bummer. I deeply admire people who do cosplay, whether they construct the costumes themselves or buy it from others, because it's such a time-consuming and costly hobby and they just continue to go to these fan events looking absolutely amazing, no matter what method they chose to put the outfit together. And I've been intrigued and fascinated with wanting to do it myself, but I'll be honest....I'm kinda lazy. I need to be really inspired and have all the right materials (and money) to put something together. Hopefully someday, though.

In non-fashion subcultures, I've been fascinated with urban exploration. There is just something so interesting about exploring abandoned places and buildings, taking videos and photographs of these areas that are frozen in time, long forgotten and decaying. I've watched many videos of urban explorers going to different areas, some well-known while others not so much, and just capturing the lost and forgotten, because there is a history there, a story that can only be shown through photographs. Obviously, this activity can be quite tricky considering the safety risks and even legality issues can arise, but I do live vicariously through watching videos and seeing these photographs and such.

Comments

[tabaqui]

I would love to do cosplay but - i'm broke, and i don't have much in the way of sewing skills. But I think it is *so* fascinating and amazing. Also - i just love doing costumes.

Urban exploration is very cool! My bff and i love to just go walking around in a town and look at architecture, neat little buildings, side streets, etc. So cool. We are not fit enough to go spelunking in crumbling buildings, but we will peek into windows and things. :D

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I love the variety you get with cosplay. Like, you can have a bunch of people dressed as the same character and everyone with have a different interpretation. Plus, seeing the elaborate details some people do, it's stunning. It makes me want so badly to participate in that, but like you, I don't have much skill or the money to do so. But I can admire from afar, and hope that someday I'll be able to do it for myself.

[noybusiness.livejournal.com]

Urban exploration seems like it would be both edifying and exciting.

[haebin.livejournal.com]

The Gothic-Lolita-Dresses are so, so beautiful. I have to admit that I don't know a lot about the sub-culture but I was always in Love with the dresses. If I would have the body for it, I would dress myself like that every day.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

The subculture in itself is quite fascinating, but it's definitely something that you have to have time investing in. Regardless, the Gothic Lolita style is more appealing in my eyes, because I am a goth at heart, of course. ;)

[blakmagjick]

I love the idea of urban exploration...but my rule following self can't get over the fact that most of the time it's trespassing...haha

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I think it's why it's considered kind of an adrenaline sort of hobby because, unless you do get permission to explore certain areas, there is always that risk factor, whether it's law related or the safety hazards (i.e. abandoned places often will have mold, asbestos, or are just generally unsafe to tread on). It's exciting, but also something that you have to be absolutely prepared for and know the risks that are involved once you get into it. It's something that I can see myself doing, if I were that motivated and determined to go headfirst into that kind of thing, but mostly I just like watching others do it.

[silverusagi]

A YouTuber I watch sometimes visited a Lolita place in Japan where customers can try on Lolita fashion for a day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr5KchnDuI4

I am so fascinated by urban exploring. There's something so interesting about abandoned places. But like someone said above, it's also way too risk taking for me, since it's getting into places you're not supposed to be in. That said, one of the most fun things I've done was walk around a closed school while I was in high school. The drama club had permission to use the old auditorium to practice, but there was a corridor that connected it to the rest of the school, and well, obviously we had to go look around. LOL!

I've never done real cosplay, but I do low key cosplay a lot. I loved so many of Alana's outfits on Hannibal that I tracked down the brands and bought pieces secondhand. No one knows, but I get compliments on my look! Of course, they are real clothes, meant to be worn, so it doesn't really register as a costume of any sort.