When I was at the Renaissance Faire yesterday (which, by the way, was AWESOME), I ironically saw people dressed in not so Renaissance attire - a lot of people were dressed in Rococco and Victorian couture too (and I saw one guy who was cosplaying as Link). One duo that I saw was a pair of lolitas. One was your run of the mill Gothic Loli, while the other was a bit more interesting: a medi-loli; basically, a Medieval Lolita. She wore the basic black and white frilly lace of a Gothic Lolita, only instead of a bell-shaped skirt, she wore a black fairy skirt, and she wore a white lace shift with dramatic medieval-styled sleeves. And instead of a vest, jacket, or corset, she wore a black and lace bodice.

Now that was one kick-ass lolita outfit.

I only wish I could have seen her up-close so I could have gotten a snap shot of her.

In Japan, it started out more or less as a feminist fashion trend, back in the early 80s new wave scene(indeed Japan had one!)
Now it's become a fashion trend amongst visual kei kiddies(over there, you get Mansonites, here we get VK/goth-loli kids)

However, I think it's more interesting in the areas where it overlaps with romantigoth.
Last time I saw the french darkwave band Dark Sanctuary play at Wave Gotik Treffen, their singer was dressed in that medieval loli fashion style.

Also, a couple of my friends, Rose de Reficul et Guiggles are a married couple who have their own sort of avant-garde theatre group, and while they're both a couple of hardcore victorian goths, they sometimes borrow elements of the goth-loli aesthetic, and have occasionally appeared in GL fashion magazines, therefore drawing many of those kinds of fans.
A direct contrast to Guiggles's other project, a butoh/noise collaboration with my friend in Nutakurage. Kind of like Sankaijuku meets Merzbow.

I think I saw some screencaps from that concert. Very nice. I remember Annette Olzon had a goth-loli get-up too.

I know that a lot of people are sorta annoyed or creeped out at Lolita fashion (I guess moreso if you're in Japan), but I have to say: it is one of the most fun styles to imagine and to sew. After seeing that Medieval Lolita, I really want to go on that style and make my own outfit, along with a qi and wa loli outfit.

Not sure how you searched it, but the first talk we all had about it was way back in 2002:
Elegant Gothic Lolita

I understand that there are different types of Lolita outfits, but most of what I've seen called "Lolita" just looks victorian to me- where is the line between Victorian and Lolita? Or both? Can anything be made into "lolita" based on proportions?

Many victorian styles have skirts that go to the ankle, but lolita skirts fall at or slightly above the knee and tend to flare out a lot. Lolitas also wear very low mary jane type heels or platform type shoes instead of the heeled boots found in some victorian styles.

A victorian outfit can be made into a lolita style one by cutting and flaring the skirt and switching the shoes.

I guess the one lolita style that overlaps the Victorian Goth style so much that it's practically the same is the Elegant Gothic Aristocrat style: longer skirts, less frills, bows, flare, and lace. It's considered the most "mature" style in the Lolita subculture. Only difference is the etiquette and aesthetic that goes along with each subculture.

I agree with this, there's nothing really gothic about it.

However, I LOATHE it.

Too much lace and frilly girly things......yuck...

I actually don't know too much about it. I do love overly frilly things personally, but a friend of mine from Japan(who is a bit gothy herself. You should have seen her reaction upon finding a leather corset in a used clothing store for $15! Seriously, it's a happy thing to find, but not something to literally dance about!) loathes the style and thinks it's for "posers". So go figure.

When i buy clothes, i rarely ever give consideration to what the brand or style is. I simply like what i like. I do not like short skirts or shorts, or anything or that nature, so i would nevr wear the lolita in that way. I tend to buy a lot of thngs off of ebay or whereever i can that is cheap.
I actually just bought a custom made cosplay dress (never gave a thought the the brand or whatnot untl just now). It is acually very beautiful and elegent. Long black, corseted, with only a little bit of lace and angel sleeves. I also bought a leather corset (mainly becuase i like leather) and pair of industrialized tripp pants.
I have always worn what i liked. If people think i am a poser for it, i could not care. I know what i am and i need not the validation of others, although this forum is hghly interesting and i learned new things.
I suppose i have just never been that into fashion so much i will research it. If it is dark and elegant, then no matter who made it, i like it. Plain and simple.

Ever tried out the "kodona" style ("prince")?