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As Gagné argues, “the crucial difference” between the two phenomena
“beyond that of the maid’s vastly inferior clothing style and quality” is
essentially one of “class” in regard to both appearance and manners, or an
“aristocratic” tone. I would say, in regard to image, that there is often a
certain regal aspect to Gothloli attire, particularly in the case of Sweet Lolita
in relation to royal fashions of the Rococo period. But more importantly,
what sets the Lolita and Maid apart is “princess” behaviour on the part of
the Gothloli, whereby princesses are served and maids do the serving. 221
This observation is reinforced by practice: Gothloli delight in attending tea
parties, drinking tea and eating cakes; Maids do not partake in this pleasure,
they are there to provide pleasure and a service.
This distinction is illustrated in the popular Princess Resurrection graphic-
novel and anime series. The main character whose name is Hime, which is
the translation of the English word “princess” in Japanese, displays not only
princess-like, tea-drinking manners but is waited on as a princess by a maid,
Flandre, who, although she is also Hime’s closest companion, never shares
in the drinking of the tea (Fig. 90). During these tea-drinking scenes, Hime
takes on an extra air of superiority, talking down to Flandre in a more
pronounced way, accentuating the maid’s position as mere servant. That this
behaviour towards Flandre, though, is a little tongue-in-cheek is suggested
by Hime’s response to being addressed as Ouju-sama. While the word ouju
also means “princess”, the title combined with “sama” implies “Imperial
princess” or “Empress” (i.e. ruling princess). It’s as if Flandre is, therefore,
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