Behold! The long-awaited substyles blog!
If you thought my history of Gyaru blog was long, then this one is going to be actually insane. There are so many ways to be a Gyaru, and it can be difficult to find one that you feel really represents you! You're in luck, though, because this blog is going to give in-depth descriptions of each substyle!
A few things of note before we begin: One of the most popular Gyaru styles, Kogyaru/Kogal, is not actually a substyle. It is just an age range for gals who are in high school, so non-high school-aged gals cannot technically be Kogal. I'm going to include a description of it anyway, though, since many beginner/baby gals are high school aged and will find it useful! Kuro Gyaru and Shiro Gyaru are also not technically substyles, but rather identifiers for skin tone/tan level. I also want to make it clear that anyone of any skin tone can participate in any style they please. Gyaru is for all!
There are also a few substyles that I did not include upon writing this the first time. Information about them can be found here.
Now, onto the yapathon!
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KOGYARU/KOGAL
This style describes a high school-aged Gyaru. It is one of the oldest Gyaru styles, as is where the term Gyaru comes from. It is characterized by the use of the school uniform: Shortened skirts to show off their legs, and cardigans (most often oversized) in colors like beige, pink, or navy. They can be worn in place of a blazer or tied around the waist. By far the most iconic aspect of the style is the socks, which are worn loose and oversized to create a slouchy appearance. Many Kogals use sock glue to keep their socks in place. Just like any Gyaru style, accessories are a huge part of Kogyaru. Keychains on school bags and cell phones (decoden cell phones are also very popular) are very important, and can help show a gal's personality in the strict Japanese school system. Speaking of school bags, many Kogals choose to carry shopping bags (shoppers) from Gyaru brands, usually used as a form of status symbol, as a secondary bag, or even their main school bag. Many Kogals tan, but it is not required. Decorated nails and piercings are also popular accessories, similar to most Gyaru styles. The make can be a spectrum, some choosing to keep it more toned down and others choosing to be extreme. Basically, the extremeness of the look is all based on the style the gal prefers.
GANGURO
This style is most often called "old school," as with Kogyaru, it is one of the oldest styles. It is considered a dying style, but a lot of people continue to wear it, and it is the origin point of other styles. A big part of this style is the tan, anywhere from medium to extra dark, as well as bleached blonde hair. Clothing-wise, Ganguro gals favor tropical floral prints and neon colors. Hibiscus and plumeria prints are a staple, as well as wearing leis and flower accessories. Other popular accessories include beaded jewelry or anything that would be considered "tacky." Platform sandals with wooden soles or cut-outs, wedge heels, or just any kind of sandal are popular footwear amongst Ganguro gals, and they should be equally as colorful as the rest of the outfit. For the make, it must be bright white for a lot of contrast against the tanned skin. A lot of the focus is placed around the eyes (coupled with huge lashes), nose, and lips. A lot of Ganguro gals also put stickers on their faces, and modern Ganguro gals use face paint or colorful eyeliners to achieve a similar effect. Ganguro gals also tend to have decorated nails. The goal of the style is to be very vivid, loud, and tropical, and to ignore all conventional Japanese beauty standards. Popular brands are ALBA ROSA, ROXY, and ESPERANZA, among others.
YAMANBA/MANBA
The name Yamanba comes from Japanese folklore, meaning "mountain witch." It shares many similarities with Ganguro, but it is even more extreme. In general, the clothing, make, and accessories are incredibly similar. However, it is common to see Yamanba gals with hair dyed bright colors or with colorful streaks in their blonde hair, and with lots of volume. Their tans tend to be even heavier than Ganguro tans, making the white make stand out even more. Their nails can be insanely long, and decked out to the max with deco. The same goes for their cell phones. Besides platform sandals, Yamanba gals also like to wear platform boots. Like Ganguro, many call Yamanba a "dead" style, but plenty of gals continue to wear it. Some gals in the gyarusa Black Diamond wear versions of Yamanba. Manba is more extreme than Yamanba.
AGEJO
The name of the style is short for "Ageha lady," inspired by the Gyaru publication Koakuma Ageha (小悪魔ageha) magazine and the styles shown in it. The style is very mature and glamorous, and is popular amongst hostesses. The clothing focuses on being sexy, with lingerie elements being very popular: Corsets, lace, bras, garters, and stockings are key elements. The goal is to be revealing while still being classy. The skirts and dresses are worn very short and tight. Big, intricate hairstyles are another key element, most of the time being long or curly. The hair is normally kept darker, unlike other Gyaru styles. Tanning is not a requirement, but Agejo gals who do tan tend to keep it on the light-medium side. The make is very dolly, with dolly circle contact lenses being a popular choice. The lashes are very thick and Gyaru-like, but the make tends to be less extreme than other styles and leans more towards sexy. Rest assured, it is still very Gyaru. Long, deco'd nails are a popular accessory, but natural nails or a French manicure are acceptable as well. Bows, brand-name bags, and jewelry also make for good Agejo accessories, as they are more mature. Stilettos and pumps are preferred to platforms, as are high-heeled knee-high boots. A popular agejo brand is MA*RS, known for its iconic prints.
HIME GYARU
Hime means "princess," so Hime Gyaru is quite literally "princess gal." Hair is arguably the biggest part of the look, with hairstyles (sujimori) being huge, beehive styles with curls. Hime Gals hair colors can vary, with light brown being popular. Blonde is seen, but it is more natural compared to a Ganguro blonde. Some Hime Gals choose to have dark brown or black hair. Hair accessories are a must, with large bows, flowers, and strings of pearls being popular choices. Accessorizing is crucial for Hime Gals. Nails are heavily deco'd, as are shoes, bags, cell phones, and themselves with jewelry. Lace, ruffles, and bows are key elements. Clothes are often pink or white, or in cutesy prints. The clothes are very soft, while still remaining over the top. The make is very dolly like Agejo, featuring circle lenses to make the eyes appear larger. White accents are seen for this effect as well, as well as pink blush, light pink lips, and thick yet cutesy eyelashes. Tanning is not essential. Popular Hime brands are LIZ LISA and JESUS DIAMANTE.
HIMEKAJI
This style is the step below Hime, as denoted by kaji, meaning casual. In general, it requires less upkeep than the Hime style whilst holding onto the cutesy flair. Think of it as "princess off-duty." The hair is less intricate, being either long or short in lighter colors, curled, and mostly worn down. Accessories are fewer, including those for nails and clothing. Himekaji prioritizes comfort whilst still being cute and princess-like. Pink is an important element for Himekaji clothing, but it also features more natural, earth tones like browns. Hearts, florals, pom-poms, and fur lining are very popular, as are lace, ruffles, and bows, but on a smaller scale. The make is mostly similar to Hime, just toned down. Tanning is also not essential. LIZ LISA is also extremely popular for Himekaji gals, as well as Ank Rouge.
AMEKAJI
The name of this style translates to "American casual," and is characterized by a stereotypically 90's American/Western aesthetic. The style is very bold, comfortable, and casual. Baggy clothing is the key element, with baggy jeans, sweatpants/joggers, and dungarees/overalls. Shorts and skirts are also popular options, but dresses are a rare sight for Amekaji. The tops can be either loose or tight, but it's important that they have some sort of cute or busy print/pattern or slogan, and are brightly colored. Baseball caps, beanies, chunky belts, and fun jewelry are key accessories. It's common to see Amekaji gals wearing sneakers (high tops or basketball style), ballet flats, and sometimes boots. Hair is kept light, either blonde or light brown, and is often worn in simple styles like ponytails, half up-half down styles, or down. It can be either long or short. The tans range from light to medium. The make is very simple but still Gyaru, with bold lashes and eyeliner, and pops of color from the lips. The brand JSG is popular among Amekaji gals.
ROKKU
This style incorporates elements of rock (as you can tell by the name) and Visual kei, or Vkei. Unlike other Gyaru styles, Rokku prioritizes dark colors over bright colors and prints. Crosses, studs, leather, and ripped clothing are key elements, as well as tattoos and piercings. The hair can be dyed any color (unnatural colors are common), and having a take on the classic vkei silhouette is a popular styling choice. Hair can be worn in many styles: Many Rokku gals like big, intricate sujimori with long curls, and others prefer short hair. No matter the style, though, bangs or fringe are very common. Rokku accessories favor chokers, fishnet tights or stockings in general, cuff bracelets or bracelet stacks, cross necklaces, fingerless gloves, buckles and chains, and belts. Footwear can range from boots, platforms, heels, or sneakers. Most Rokku gals choose not to tan, and if they do, it is very light. The make is very dramatic, focusing on dark smoky eyes and dark lips.
GOSHIKKU
This style is similar to Rokku, but incorporates more Gothic elements. While Rokku implements all dark colors, Goshikku tends to stick to black and grey, with minimal pops of white or color. The style is also more toned down when compared to Rokku, especially in terms of accessories and clothing. Stockings/tights and garters are popular accessories. Dresses and skirts are popular, as well as oversized t-shirts and blouses. The style is surprisingly cute and dolly, with lace and ruffles being popular elements, whilst still being edgy with rips and cut-outs. Pendants, chokers, cross necklaces, chains, and bracelets are popular jewelry options. Footwear can range from boots, platforms/flatforms, high heels, or dolly shoes. Like Rokku, hair can be worn in any style, but the colors are commonly black, blonde, white, or grey. The make is less dramatic than Rokku, but it is still dark and bold. Nude or dark lips are commonly seen in Goshikku make. Tanning is not very popular or essential for the style.
KURO GYARU
The name of this style translates to "black-skinned gal," as evidenced by the heavy tans that Kuro gals are known for. Like I mentioned above, Kuro is not technically a substyle, but the gyarusa Black Diamond in particular made it into one. There is some controversy about the tanning habits of Kuro gals, as they can be incredibly dark, verging on offensive, and the tanning habits of some gals can be downright dangerous. However, there is a way to do it in a way that is both safe and non-offensive. Kuro shares many similarities with Yamanba (many Yamanba gals consider themselves Kuro gals as well), with white make, circle lenses, big sujimori (either bleached or colorful), and heavy deco and accessories. Piercings are also seen amongst Kuro gals. Nails are incredibly long with huge deco. Clothing ranges from primarily black to colorful, but animal prints (specifically cheetah and leopard) and fur are staples. Denim shorts in a variety of colors and washes are also staple pieces, as well as furry leg warmers. The iconic D.I.A belt was extremely popular amongst Kuro gals, with big belt buckles and gold chains. Gold is very key to the Kuro gal style. Shoes can range from knee-high boots, heels, platforms, and even Crocs with characters on them. Popular Kuro brands are D.I.A and GALEO (which was founded by the founding member of Black Diamond, Harutamu).
BANBA
Coined by the gyarusa Angeleek in 2005, this style is derived from Manba and means "Barbie Manba."
TSUYOME
Tsyuome is the more modern counterpart to Banba. The two styles are often used interchangeably by some, but there is a distinction between the styles.
ONEE-GYARU
Translating to "older sister gal," this style is more mature and sophisticated. Unlike Agejo, which is considered more mature as well, its focus is not quite on sex appeal. Onee-Gyaru can be described as sexier, yes, but it lacks things like lingerie elements that Agejo has. As its key audience is older gals, one of the most important aspects is brand names and labels. Basically, the main draw is that older gals have more disposable income for high-end and designer brands. The entire style is very put together and elegant: Perfectly styled hair, classic Gyaru make, well-thought-out coords, and always keeping up with trends. The hair is often worn in natural colors (blonde, brown, red, or black), long, and crimped or curled. The make can vary from a more natural look to a bold look; it depends on personal preference, but it is still a very developed, elevated Gyaru make. Nails can be deco'd, but they tend to be more subtle. Animal prints are popular (as are prints in general) and leather. Popular pieces in a Onee-Gyaru coord are blouses, miniskirts, mini-dresses, overcoats/blazers, cardigans, furs, and tweed-style outfits. The pieces should be tight to emphasize the body and be slightly revealing. Stilettos, pumps, and thigh-high high-heeled boots are common footwear choices. Popular accessories are sunglasses, belts, high-end jewelry, and designer handbags. Designer labels like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci are popular amongst Onee-gals, and CECIL McBEE, LIP SERVICE, RESEXXY, DURAS, DaTuRa, and Delyle NOIR are popular Gyaru brands.
ORA ORA
Also known as Ora Ora kei, this style focuses on a tough, delinquent-type style. It creates a mix of Gyaru and Yankii style, and it was a very popular style in the magazine Soul Sister. The style can vary between sexier and more relaxed or tomboy-ish, depending on the gal, but the style's core focus is on being rebellious. Tracksuits, t-shirts, wife beaters, sweatshirts, sweatsuits, bandeau tops, and tokkofuku (embroidered jumpsuits/trench coats worn by gang members) are popular clothing options. Clothes will often be black/dark colors, and things like tracksuits and sweatshirts will have slogans and symbols on them. Shoes can range from sneakers, boots, and stilettos. Key accessories are baseball/snapback caps, bandanas, gold chains, hoop earrings, and other piercings. Hairstyles are more relaxed, and can be worn long, or some gals will opt for buzzcuts, in a variety of colors. Yakuza-style tattoos are common. The make places a lot of focus on the eyes, and Ora Ora gals like to keep them dark, smoky, and dramatic. Lips are often nude, and Ora Ora gals prefer orange/brown blush to pink.
SHIRO GYARU
This is the exact opposite of Kuro gyaro, translating to "white-skinned gal," and is also known as Ganjiro. Like Kuro Gyaru, Shiro Gyaru is not technically a substyle. The key identifier is to be as untanned as possible.
ROMA
Roma, short for romantic, shares some similarities with Himekaji but is even more casual and relaxed. It is a style that is very wearable for the day-to-day and very approachable for people who like the general cutesy, girly aesthetic. There is special emphasis on comfort and cuteness for the clothing. Prints like gingham, polka dots, plaid, florals, and knit fabrics are staples. Pieces like dresses, sweaters, blouses, skirts, and anything off the shoulder are common. Ruffles and lace are popular elements, but on a more understated level when compared to Himekaji. Beanies, berets, headbands, bows, and lockets/pendants are popular accessories. Footwear ranges from any sort of boot, knee-highs, heels, to boots with fringe, to heels, flats, and any casual yet cute style of shoe. Hair is kept to natural colors, and can be worn down or in a casual up-do like a messy bun. The make is very simple and sweet, and the nails are kept plain or have a French manicure. LIZ LISA and Ank Rouge have many options for Roma gals.
HAADY
Also spelled as Haaady, the name of this style is derived from the Japanese word hade, meaning flashy. It was created by egg model Kaoru Watanabe, and is largely associated with her brand JSG (mentioned in the Amekaji section). It was a relatively short-lived style back in the day, but there are many gals today who participate in the style. It takes inspiration from American/British styles, the 80's, and shares some similarities with Amekaji. The hair is often bleached blonde with colorful extensions or highlights, or can be dyed colorfully all over, and is worn straight or crimped. The clothing is very similar to Amekaji in terms of bright, neon, or rainbow colors and prints (leopard, skulls, stripes, etc.), but it is not as baggy. The clothing is pretty tight, and the 80's inspiration can be seen in the popularity of pieces like tights and leggings, sweatshirts, and more. Hoodies, zip-ups, dresses, tank tops, t-shirts, shorts, and ruffled blouses are also seen. Footwear ranges from heels to sneakers. Common accessories are fun bracelets, necklaces, glasses, scarves, and caps. The make is classically Gyaru, with a focus on neon colors. The tan is on the light-medium side.
~
Okay, I told you the length of this blog would be ridiculous. If you've made it to the end, I salute you! The next few blogs will be considerably shorter and less overwhelming, I promise. I'm sure your brain is as numb as mine after reading this, but if you have any brain power left, feel free to leave a comment with any questions or additional information! Apologies for any misinformation or mistakes. I tried to research each substyle as in-depth as I possibly could, but alas, I am but a mere human... Also, I noticed I used a lot of Gyaru-specific language, so I think my next blog will be all about Gyaru terms and vocab! Anyway, my brain has been sufficiently turned to mush, so this is where I will leave you!
Remember, Antama loves you~!
Kiss kiss~ ☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu
HIME GYARU
Hime means "princess," so Hime Gyaru is quite literally "princess gal." Hair is arguably the biggest part of the look, with hairstyles (sujimori) being huge, beehive styles with curls. Hime Gals hair colors can vary, with light brown being popular. Blonde is seen, but it is more natural compared to a Ganguro blonde. Some Hime Gals choose to have dark brown or black hair. Hair accessories are a must, with large bows, flowers, and strings of pearls being popular choices. Accessorizing is crucial for Hime Gals. Nails are heavily deco'd, as are shoes, bags, cell phones, and themselves with jewelry. Lace, ruffles, and bows are key elements. Clothes are often pink or white, or in cutesy prints. The clothes are very soft, while still remaining over the top. The make is very dolly like Agejo, featuring circle lenses to make the eyes appear larger. White accents are seen for this effect as well, as well as pink blush, light pink lips, and thick yet cutesy eyelashes. Tanning is not essential. Popular Hime brands are LIZ LISA and JESUS DIAMANTE.
HIMEKAJI
This style is the step below Hime, as denoted by kaji, meaning casual. In general, it requires less upkeep than the Hime style whilst holding onto the cutesy flair. Think of it as "princess off-duty." The hair is less intricate, being either long or short in lighter colors, curled, and mostly worn down. Accessories are fewer, including those for nails and clothing. Himekaji prioritizes comfort whilst still being cute and princess-like. Pink is an important element for Himekaji clothing, but it also features more natural, earth tones like browns. Hearts, florals, pom-poms, and fur lining are very popular, as are lace, ruffles, and bows, but on a smaller scale. The make is mostly similar to Hime, just toned down. Tanning is also not essential. LIZ LISA is also extremely popular for Himekaji gals, as well as Ank Rouge.
AMEKAJI
The name of this style translates to "American casual," and is characterized by a stereotypically 90's American/Western aesthetic. The style is very bold, comfortable, and casual. Baggy clothing is the key element, with baggy jeans, sweatpants/joggers, and dungarees/overalls. Shorts and skirts are also popular options, but dresses are a rare sight for Amekaji. The tops can be either loose or tight, but it's important that they have some sort of cute or busy print/pattern or slogan, and are brightly colored. Baseball caps, beanies, chunky belts, and fun jewelry are key accessories. It's common to see Amekaji gals wearing sneakers (high tops or basketball style), ballet flats, and sometimes boots. Hair is kept light, either blonde or light brown, and is often worn in simple styles like ponytails, half up-half down styles, or down. It can be either long or short. The tans range from light to medium. The make is very simple but still Gyaru, with bold lashes and eyeliner, and pops of color from the lips. The brand JSG is popular among Amekaji gals.
ROKKU
This style incorporates elements of rock (as you can tell by the name) and Visual kei, or Vkei. Unlike other Gyaru styles, Rokku prioritizes dark colors over bright colors and prints. Crosses, studs, leather, and ripped clothing are key elements, as well as tattoos and piercings. The hair can be dyed any color (unnatural colors are common), and having a take on the classic vkei silhouette is a popular styling choice. Hair can be worn in many styles: Many Rokku gals like big, intricate sujimori with long curls, and others prefer short hair. No matter the style, though, bangs or fringe are very common. Rokku accessories favor chokers, fishnet tights or stockings in general, cuff bracelets or bracelet stacks, cross necklaces, fingerless gloves, buckles and chains, and belts. Footwear can range from boots, platforms, heels, or sneakers. Most Rokku gals choose not to tan, and if they do, it is very light. The make is very dramatic, focusing on dark smoky eyes and dark lips.
GOSHIKKU
This style is similar to Rokku, but incorporates more Gothic elements. While Rokku implements all dark colors, Goshikku tends to stick to black and grey, with minimal pops of white or color. The style is also more toned down when compared to Rokku, especially in terms of accessories and clothing. Stockings/tights and garters are popular accessories. Dresses and skirts are popular, as well as oversized t-shirts and blouses. The style is surprisingly cute and dolly, with lace and ruffles being popular elements, whilst still being edgy with rips and cut-outs. Pendants, chokers, cross necklaces, chains, and bracelets are popular jewelry options. Footwear can range from boots, platforms/flatforms, high heels, or dolly shoes. Like Rokku, hair can be worn in any style, but the colors are commonly black, blonde, white, or grey. The make is less dramatic than Rokku, but it is still dark and bold. Nude or dark lips are commonly seen in Goshikku make. Tanning is not very popular or essential for the style.
KURO GYARU
The name of this style translates to "black-skinned gal," as evidenced by the heavy tans that Kuro gals are known for. Like I mentioned above, Kuro is not technically a substyle, but the gyarusa Black Diamond in particular made it into one. There is some controversy about the tanning habits of Kuro gals, as they can be incredibly dark, verging on offensive, and the tanning habits of some gals can be downright dangerous. However, there is a way to do it in a way that is both safe and non-offensive. Kuro shares many similarities with Yamanba (many Yamanba gals consider themselves Kuro gals as well), with white make, circle lenses, big sujimori (either bleached or colorful), and heavy deco and accessories. Piercings are also seen amongst Kuro gals. Nails are incredibly long with huge deco. Clothing ranges from primarily black to colorful, but animal prints (specifically cheetah and leopard) and fur are staples. Denim shorts in a variety of colors and washes are also staple pieces, as well as furry leg warmers. The iconic D.I.A belt was extremely popular amongst Kuro gals, with big belt buckles and gold chains. Gold is very key to the Kuro gal style. Shoes can range from knee-high boots, heels, platforms, and even Crocs with characters on them. Popular Kuro brands are D.I.A and GALEO (which was founded by the founding member of Black Diamond, Harutamu).
BANBA
Coined by the gyarusa Angeleek in 2005, this style is derived from Manba and means "Barbie Manba."
TSUYOME
Tsyuome is the more modern counterpart to Banba. The two styles are often used interchangeably by some, but there is a distinction between the styles.
ONEE-GYARU
Translating to "older sister gal," this style is more mature and sophisticated. Unlike Agejo, which is considered more mature as well, its focus is not quite on sex appeal. Onee-Gyaru can be described as sexier, yes, but it lacks things like lingerie elements that Agejo has. As its key audience is older gals, one of the most important aspects is brand names and labels. Basically, the main draw is that older gals have more disposable income for high-end and designer brands. The entire style is very put together and elegant: Perfectly styled hair, classic Gyaru make, well-thought-out coords, and always keeping up with trends. The hair is often worn in natural colors (blonde, brown, red, or black), long, and crimped or curled. The make can vary from a more natural look to a bold look; it depends on personal preference, but it is still a very developed, elevated Gyaru make. Nails can be deco'd, but they tend to be more subtle. Animal prints are popular (as are prints in general) and leather. Popular pieces in a Onee-Gyaru coord are blouses, miniskirts, mini-dresses, overcoats/blazers, cardigans, furs, and tweed-style outfits. The pieces should be tight to emphasize the body and be slightly revealing. Stilettos, pumps, and thigh-high high-heeled boots are common footwear choices. Popular accessories are sunglasses, belts, high-end jewelry, and designer handbags. Designer labels like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci are popular amongst Onee-gals, and CECIL McBEE, LIP SERVICE, RESEXXY, DURAS, DaTuRa, and Delyle NOIR are popular Gyaru brands.
ORA ORA
Also known as Ora Ora kei, this style focuses on a tough, delinquent-type style. It creates a mix of Gyaru and Yankii style, and it was a very popular style in the magazine Soul Sister. The style can vary between sexier and more relaxed or tomboy-ish, depending on the gal, but the style's core focus is on being rebellious. Tracksuits, t-shirts, wife beaters, sweatshirts, sweatsuits, bandeau tops, and tokkofuku (embroidered jumpsuits/trench coats worn by gang members) are popular clothing options. Clothes will often be black/dark colors, and things like tracksuits and sweatshirts will have slogans and symbols on them. Shoes can range from sneakers, boots, and stilettos. Key accessories are baseball/snapback caps, bandanas, gold chains, hoop earrings, and other piercings. Hairstyles are more relaxed, and can be worn long, or some gals will opt for buzzcuts, in a variety of colors. Yakuza-style tattoos are common. The make places a lot of focus on the eyes, and Ora Ora gals like to keep them dark, smoky, and dramatic. Lips are often nude, and Ora Ora gals prefer orange/brown blush to pink.
SHIRO GYARU
This is the exact opposite of Kuro gyaro, translating to "white-skinned gal," and is also known as Ganjiro. Like Kuro Gyaru, Shiro Gyaru is not technically a substyle. The key identifier is to be as untanned as possible.
ROMA
Roma, short for romantic, shares some similarities with Himekaji but is even more casual and relaxed. It is a style that is very wearable for the day-to-day and very approachable for people who like the general cutesy, girly aesthetic. There is special emphasis on comfort and cuteness for the clothing. Prints like gingham, polka dots, plaid, florals, and knit fabrics are staples. Pieces like dresses, sweaters, blouses, skirts, and anything off the shoulder are common. Ruffles and lace are popular elements, but on a more understated level when compared to Himekaji. Beanies, berets, headbands, bows, and lockets/pendants are popular accessories. Footwear ranges from any sort of boot, knee-highs, heels, to boots with fringe, to heels, flats, and any casual yet cute style of shoe. Hair is kept to natural colors, and can be worn down or in a casual up-do like a messy bun. The make is very simple and sweet, and the nails are kept plain or have a French manicure. LIZ LISA and Ank Rouge have many options for Roma gals.
HAADY
Also spelled as Haaady, the name of this style is derived from the Japanese word hade, meaning flashy. It was created by egg model Kaoru Watanabe, and is largely associated with her brand JSG (mentioned in the Amekaji section). It was a relatively short-lived style back in the day, but there are many gals today who participate in the style. It takes inspiration from American/British styles, the 80's, and shares some similarities with Amekaji. The hair is often bleached blonde with colorful extensions or highlights, or can be dyed colorfully all over, and is worn straight or crimped. The clothing is very similar to Amekaji in terms of bright, neon, or rainbow colors and prints (leopard, skulls, stripes, etc.), but it is not as baggy. The clothing is pretty tight, and the 80's inspiration can be seen in the popularity of pieces like tights and leggings, sweatshirts, and more. Hoodies, zip-ups, dresses, tank tops, t-shirts, shorts, and ruffled blouses are also seen. Footwear ranges from heels to sneakers. Common accessories are fun bracelets, necklaces, glasses, scarves, and caps. The make is classically Gyaru, with a focus on neon colors. The tan is on the light-medium side.
~
Okay, I told you the length of this blog would be ridiculous. If you've made it to the end, I salute you! The next few blogs will be considerably shorter and less overwhelming, I promise. I'm sure your brain is as numb as mine after reading this, but if you have any brain power left, feel free to leave a comment with any questions or additional information! Apologies for any misinformation or mistakes. I tried to research each substyle as in-depth as I possibly could, but alas, I am but a mere human... Also, I noticed I used a lot of Gyaru-specific language, so I think my next blog will be all about Gyaru terms and vocab! Anyway, my brain has been sufficiently turned to mush, so this is where I will leave you!
Remember, Antama loves you~!
Kiss kiss~ ☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu
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