Ever heard the term gyaru (Gal)? Usually present in anime, these Japanese women stand out for their blonde hair, dark skin, strong personality and different way of speaking. In this article we will understand a little about this Japanese style.
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Origin and Meaning of Gyaru
Gyaru [ギャル] is a Japanese fashion style that originated from a brand of jeans called "Gurls". This word originated from the English "girl" and the slang "gals" used to refer to pretty girls.
It all started when the company Gurls launched a slogan saying:
"I can't live without men".
Gurls
This phrase became popular among Japanese teenagers who ended up creating this fashion style and also a personality and lifestyle of its own.
In the 1990s and 2000s it was hard to walk the streets and not find a group of gals. Nowadays this fashion style has fallen into decline. Today gals can only be found on the streets of Shibuya and Harajuku.
Gyaru Fashion Style (Gals)
Girls belonging to the gyaru (gal) style usually mix colors, prints, sparkles and all kinds of fashion and style in a very daring way, different from the oriental pattern.
They often do indoor tanning, completely change their hair, and wear thousands of colorful and exotic accessories.
Gyaru is also characterized by having heavily bleached or dyed hair (mostly shades of dark brown to blonde), highly decorated nails, and dramatic makeup.
The makeup consists of dark eyeliner and false eyelashes used in ways intended to make the eyes appear larger. The garments for gals differ depending on which gyaru style the girl chooses. They rolled up their skirts to make them shorter, had their own slang and frequented specific locations. They have a habit of posing with their tongues when taking pictures.
There are many famous models in this area, among them the most popular are: Tsubasa Masuwaka, Kumiko Funayama, (Kumicky), Rie Matsuoka (Okarie), Hikari Shiina (Pikarin), Satomi Yakuwa (Satomin), Sayoko Ozaki, Rina Sakurai and Blogger Jenny Franz (It Girl J).
Things went downhill from there when the high school girl stereotype emerged, gals began to be associated with inappropriate things. There were even hentai and erotic works associating the gals. Over time the idea of the independent and rebellious gyaru became a cuter style.
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Gyaru Styles and Types
This fashion style is divided into several categories that involve fashion and gender choices. Are they:
- Gyaru-kei (ギャル系): Name given to gals who adopt the standard style of a gyaru.
- Bibinba (ビビンバ): It involves the use of large amounts of gold, jewelry and accessories;
- Ganguro (ガングロギャル): It occurred to us in the 90s, girls with artificial tans, with brown or bleached hair;
- Banba (バンバ): They use a lot of glitter, more extreme types of false eyelashes and colored contact lenses, use less makeup;
- Hime gyaru ou hime kei: One of the most expensive styles, dress like western princesses, wear pink dresses with lots of lace, bows, pearls, crowns and decorate the house;
- Gyaruo (ギャル男): It is the term used of men who follow this fashion;
- Kogyaru : Usually a high school student;
- JK gyaru: recent term for Kogyaru, or gyaru still in school uniforms.
- Onee Gyaru (Onee: older), with a more mature and sophisticated style;
- B-gals: Focused on the world of Hip Hop;
- HaadyGyaru: Inspired by the 80s, with lots of colors and shine;
- Kigurumi: Animal or anime costumes;
- Ane gyaru: A more rebellious style, like motorcycle gangs;
- Kogal: subgenus of gyaru, also known as a young, or baby gyaru (based on school uniforms.).
- Gyaru mama (ギャルママ): Mothers with children who follow this lifestyle;
The article is still halfway through, but we recommend also reading:
Gyaru vocabulary
Gyaru have their own language called gyarugo (ギャル語) a type of dialect composed of some slang and endings. Many words have changed over time, many have fallen into disuse.
Gyaru often use the suffix poyo (ぽよ) at the end of some words and slang. We separate some for you to understand better:
- ぽよ (poyo) - Suffix meaning "looks pretty", used at the end of many gyaru slang words;
- あげぽよ (agepoyo) – Most popular slang meaning super excited, energetic;
- さげぽよ (sagepoyo) - sad, disappointed;
- らぶぽよ (rabupoyo) - Feeling of love, passionate;
- やばぽよ (yabapoyo) - bad, dangerous, risky;
- とりま (torima) - Anyway;
- ぱちこく (pachikoku) - tell a lie;
- ぱギャル (pagal) - Not fully gal, half gyaru;
- うけぴい (ukepii) - Funny;
- あとんす (atonsu) - thanks;
Even though the style is divided into thousands and doesn't have as much strength as in the past, gyaru causes a lot of influence in Japan and the world, especially in anime, many of them spicy.
It is easy to notice in anime and drama characters who take this style. Do you remember any? Have you ever met a gyaru? What do you think of this style? We appreciate the comments and shares.
