Gyaru fashion is an iconic subculture that emerged in Japan in the 1990s. Known for its bold, glamorous, and rebellious style, it challenges conventional beauty standards and provides a platform for individuals to express themselves through fashion, makeup, and attitude. The term “gyaru” itself translates to “gal” in English, signifying a carefree, fashionable, and fun-loving persona. This unique fashion trend has evolved over the years, attracting attention worldwide, and continues to be an influential force in contemporary style.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the elements that make up gyaru fashion, explore its evolution, and highlight how you can incorporate it into your personal style. We will also compare different types of gyaru fashion to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subculture.
What is Gyaru Fashion?
At its core, gyaru fashion revolves around exaggeration and individuality. It focuses on dramatic makeup, bold hairstyles, and a playful attitude toward fashion. Gyaru fashion often involves specific elements, including:
- Tanned Skin: A hallmark of the gyaru look, achieved with tanning products or through sun exposure.
- Bright, Colorful Clothing: Gyaru fashion embraces vibrant colors, patterns, and bold combinations.
- Large, Dramatic Eyes: This is achieved through the use of circle lenses, heavy eyeliner, and mascara to create an exaggerated, doll-like look.
- Stylish Hairstyles: Gyaru hairstyles range from voluminous curls to straight hair, often dyed in blonde, brown, or pastel colors.
These key features distinguish gyaru fashion from other Japanese subcultures, such as the more demure and traditional style of “kawaii” (cute) fashion.
History and Evolution of Gyaru Fashion
Gyaru fashion began in the early 1990s and was largely influenced by Western pop culture. The trend gained momentum through Japanese magazines such as Egg, which featured models showcasing the gyaru lifestyle. At first, it was a response to the traditional, more conservative beauty ideals in Japan. By adopting a more rebellious and self-expressive aesthetic, gyaru fashion quickly became a countercultural movement.
The look continued to evolve through the years, with different “gyaru substyles” emerging. These substyles each have their unique characteristics, but they all share the same core principles of boldness and individuality. The trend peaked in popularity during the late 1990s and early 2000s, particularly among teenagers and young women, who embraced the fashion as a form of self-empowerment.
Types of Gyaru Fashion
As gyaru fashion developed, several subgenres emerged, each offering a distinct take on the core elements of the look. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular styles:
1. Hime Gyaru (Princess Gyaru)
Hime gyaru is a more feminine, princess-inspired variation of the gyaru look. It incorporates luxurious, elegant elements such as lace, ribbons, and puffed sleeves, alongside the typical dramatic makeup. Hairstyles often include voluminous curls or updos, and clothing includes dresses or skirts that reflect an opulent, fairytale-like style.
2. Kuro Gyaru (Black Gyaru)
Kuro gyaru focuses on deep tans, dark clothing, and a more daring approach to fashion. The look is characterized by black leather jackets, dark boots, and heavy makeup, creating a tougher, more rebellious appearance. This style emphasizes boldness and attitude, pushing the boundaries of traditional gyaru fashion.
3. Agejo Gyaru (Adult Gyaru)
Agejo gyaru is known for its mature and glamorous aesthetic. Unlike other gyaru substyles, which often incorporate youthful or playful elements, agejo gyaru is more sophisticated, favoring elegant clothing and chic accessories. This style is often seen in the nightlife scene, as the outfits are designed to attract attention and convey confidence.
4. Hochikus Gyaru (Gyaru with a Casual Twist)
Hochikus gyaru is a more laid-back take on the traditional gyaru look, incorporating casual pieces like jeans and sneakers. It still maintains the signature heavy makeup and dramatic eyes, but the clothing is more practical and comfortable for everyday wear.
5. Gyaru-kei (Gyaru Style)
Gyaru-kei is the original form of gyaru fashion, often associated with youth culture. It embraces all aspects of the gyaru aesthetic, from bright colors to bold makeup and voluminous hairstyles. It’s the most diverse of the substyles, incorporating various influences and continuously evolving to stay relevant with changing trends.
How to Achieve the Gyaru Look
Achieving the gyaru fashion involves embracing boldness, confidence, and individuality. Below are some essential steps to help you embody the gyaru style:
- Tanning: Whether through sun exposure, tanning beds, or self-tanning products, achieving a healthy, bronzed skin tone is one of the most important aspects of gyaru fashion. Many gyaru prefer a darker skin tone to stand out from traditional beauty standards.
- Makeup: The gyaru makeup look emphasizes big, expressive eyes. To achieve this, use circle lenses or colored contact lenses to make your eyes appear larger. Follow up with thick eyeliner, heavy mascara, and eyelash extensions. The use of blush and highlighter to enhance facial features is also crucial.
- Hair Styling: Gyaru hairstyles often involve large curls, straightened hair, or voluminous updos. Choose blonde, light brown, or pastel-colored hair to complete your look. Hairstyles should be bold and dramatic, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the gyaru style.
- Clothing: Clothing in gyaru fashion is often colorful, flashy, and fashionable. Popular items include mini skirts, tight jeans, cute tops, and platform shoes. Accessories such as oversized bags, statement jewelry, and hair accessories like bows or headbands are also key elements.
Gyaru Fashion vs. Other Japanese Fashion Subcultures
To understand the uniqueness of gyaru fashion, let’s compare it to other popular Japanese fashion subcultures:
| Feature | Gyaru Fashion | Lolita Fashion | Kawaii Fashion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Focus | Boldness, self-expression, rebellion | Elegance, Victorian-inspired | Cute, innocent, playful |
| Key Elements | Dramatic makeup, tanned skin, voluminous hair | Frilly dresses, lace, ribbons | Pastels, oversized accessories, youthful appeal |
| Makeup | Heavy eyeliner, circle lenses | Natural, soft makeup | Light, youthful makeup |
| Clothing Style | Bright colors, trendy, revealing | Modest, elegant, vintage | Casual, colorful, simple |
| Hairstyles | Bold, voluminous curls, dyed hair | Neat, elaborate updos | Soft curls, bows, and ribbons |
| Attitude | Confident, rebellious | Innocent, demure | Fun, lighthearted |
As you can see, while gyaru fashion shares some similarities with other Japanese subcultures, it stands out due to its focus on individuality, confidence, and embracing boldness. Gyaru fashion encourages people to break free from traditional norms and create a personal style that celebrates their unique beauty.
Conclusion:
Gyaru fashion is more than just a trend—it’s a lifestyle. Whether you adopt the elegant, sophisticated agejo style or the rebellious, daring kuro gyaru look, the essence of gyaru fashion lies in bold self-expression. By embracing dramatic makeup, colorful clothing, and a confident attitude, gyaru allows individuals to celebrate their uniqueness and creativity.
The world of gyaru fashion is diverse, vibrant, and always evolving, making it a fascinating and dynamic subculture. If you’re ready to embrace the gyaru lifestyle, all it takes is confidence and a willingness to push boundaries. Let the gyaru fashion trend inspire you to create your own personal style and stand out from the crowd.
FAQ’s
- What is the main characteristic of gyaru fashion?
Gyaru fashion is known for its bold makeup, dramatic hairstyles, tanned skin, and colorful clothing. It encourages individuality and self-expression. - How do I achieve the gyaru makeup look?
The gyaru makeup look involves heavy eyeliner, circle lenses for bigger eyes, thick mascara, and lots of blush and highlighter to enhance your facial features. - What is the difference between gyaru and kawaii fashion?
Gyaru fashion is more bold and rebellious, focusing on dramatic makeup and styling, while kawaii fashion is centered around cuteness, innocence, and pastel colors. - Is gyaru fashion suitable for all body types?
Yes, gyaru fashion embraces individuality, so it can be styled to suit any body type. The key is to choose clothing and accessories that reflect your personal style and confidence. - Can I mix gyaru fashion with other styles?
Absolutely! Gyaru fashion is all about individuality, so feel free to experiment and mix it with other subcultures or styles to create a look that’s uniquely yours. - Is gyaru fashion still popular today?
While its mainstream popularity has declined, gyaru fashion remains an important part of Japanese street style, and it continues to influence modern fashion trends worldwide.
