gothicmarshmallon

Meido

Since around 2000, maid cafes have sprung up, first in Akihabara, then spreading around the world. At these cafes, the waitresses (predominantly young Japanese women) dress as maids, and treat their customers as masters and mistresses, rather than mere guests at a cafe.

Maid Cafes, aside from the fact that the staff cosplay, are different from regular cafes just because of the feel of them. The 'maids' greet cusomers as lords and ladies, often bowing to them, and may offer massages and things. Customers often pay to have a photo taken with the maid, although cameras are not normally allowed.

As with the Seifuku uniform, maids began to wear their costumes outside of work, thus making cafe maid/meido a type of cosplay, or a unique fashion, depending on your veiwpoint.

Although Maid Cafes were originally aimed at Akibakei, they are now frequented by people from all walks of life.

Perhaps the apeal of dressing as a maid lies in the childlike innocence the role portrays in japanese culture, and the 'maids' veiw it as a kind of fantasy world, rather than a mere street style. As one maid puts it "You aren't just cosplaying the maid, but you are the maid".

Typical maid costumes consist of a black dress, white apron or pinafore, a blouse with puff sleeves, a maid headband, dolly shoes, black socks/stockings, cusie accsessories and ribbon, and, of course, carry a plate or feather duster, just to make it more authentic.

They listen to A-pop (Akihabara pop), and some maids even go on to be idol singers, one who notably did this is the @home cafe's Asuka.

As for male cafe maids, they can either be butlers or crossplay.

Info by me, image from Deviantart.