Salty Medley

This is another instance of a character having only two outfits, and while for some characters even one look would be enough for me to pinpoint their style, the two fits Chimera wears are so drastically different that I genuinely had a hard time finding a middle ground.

Overview:

First, let’s look at Chimera’s civilian outfit. The individual elements I can’t help but notice right away are:

The abundance of frills on and underneath the skirt;

The tight, corset-style bodice;

Juliet puff sleeves popular in the Regency and early Victorian periods;

Platform Mary Jane shoes.

With that being said, Chimera’s ball gown could not be more different from her usual style. Still, there are some similarities worth highlighting:

A voluminous skirt;

Platform sandals;

Jewelry incorporated into the dress design.

Since these are the only two looks she has, we can draw only a few conclusions—but let’s try. Firstly, Chimera loves her volume, which she achieves through ruffles, petticoats, and layers. Secondly, she adores jewelry—though most of the gems she wears are on her garments rather than as accessories. We can deduce she’s a fan of brooches, buckles, buttons, and other sewn-on elements. Finally, she clearly loves her platforms, whether Mary Janes or open-toed sandals.

Style:

Chimera’s gorgeous civilian dress is undoubtedly Lolita-style—a Japanese fashion subculture influenced by both Victorian and Rococo aesthetics. I’d even pinpoint the moody color palette of the outfit and the smoky makeup look as belonging to Gothic Lolita.

Gothic Lolita street style outfits shown in Alice Doll magazine clippings

Chimera has a clear preference for hyper-feminine silhouettes: corsets to accentuate the waist, petticoats to add volume, and plenty of frills and tulle. She gravitates toward unapologetically girly outfits—highlighted by the fact that we never see her wearing pants. Based on the complexity and structure of her civilian dress, I’d say she likely prefers pieces that can be “lolitafied”—not necessarily adjacent to the Lolita aesthetic on their own (as we can see from her ball gown, she doesn’t always dress in Lolita style), but pieces that have the potential to be styled in a way that adheres to it.

Left to right: Luella F/W 2008, BibianBlue S/S 2011, Alice Auaa S/S 2013, Selkie S/S 2024

I’d classify Chimera as a coquette—her garments are very revealing, yet they are by no means vulgar or scandalous. Her necklines are always low, and her skirts are always short. Still, she keeps her outfits feeling appropriate by tricking you into thinking they’re less revealing than they actually are: in one instance she’s wearing tights; in another, her gown is longer in the back. I adore how demure she manages to look while rocking arguably the skimpiest outfits.

Left to right: Bibian Blue F/W 2010, Chantal Thomass S/S 1995, Dolce & Gabbana F/W 2001, Betsey Johnson F/W 1999

Though Chimera herself doesn’t wear any headwear, her sidekicks do—and not just anything, but classic Lolita-style headdresses in the form of bows.

I can absolutely see Chimera wearing a bonnet or a lace headband herself.

Alice and the Pirates brand catalogue, left to right: headbow, headdress, bonnet

As for footwear, Chimera gravitates toward classics that feel timeless but remain fresh thanks to some kind of fun, girly twist. I think she would be a fan of Victorian boots, sky-high Mary Janes, or anything that pairs well with her Lolita-inspired attire.

Left to right: Louis Vuitton F/W 2011, source unknown, Jean Paul Gaultier F/W 2011, American Duchess Tango Edwardian Boot

The girl loves her accessories, and though we don’t often see her wear jewelry beyond a necklace and possibly a bracelet; instead, she makes sure to incorporate gemstones and metals into her outfits through sewn-on details and brooches. And honestly, I understand why—given the intricate dresses she wears, additional jewelry would make her outfits too busy. She is definitely a colorful-tights wearer, which is another staple of Lolita fashion. Of course, she’s not above one big statement piece on her neck in the form of a choker, but she strikes me as someone who knows exactly when to stop adding to a look.

Left to right: Dolce & Gabbana F/W 2010, 2010 CHANEL F/W 2006, Aniye Records F/W 2025, Christian Lacroix F/W 1994

Preferred Fabrics:

Cotton: Lolita outfits are layered and can get quite stuffy, so choosing breathable, lightweight fabrics is essential.

Velvet: Extremely popular during the Victorian era, as it symbolized elegance and status. Chimera favors it in both her dresses and shoes.

Tulle: Perfect for petticoats and adding volume to any skirt, and Chimera famously loves her outfits frilly.

Left to right: tulle fabric, Selkie S/S 2024, Betsey Johnson S/S 2009

If you love this style:

Brands to look for (high fashion to budget): Simone Rocha, Moi Meme Moitie, Marble, Alice and the Pirates, Angelic Pretty

Get inspired: Yukari Hayasaka, Paradice Kiss, Gothic & Lolita Bible Magazine