ギャルgyaru
Quick definition:Gyaru is a Japanese youth fashion subculture, based on the English word girl, known for bold make-up, styled hair and trendy clothing, with many different styles and a long history.
Meaning
Gyaru describes a fashion culture among young women in Japan, known for bright, carefully styled looks. Common features include dyed or highlighted hair, dramatic make-up, decorated nails and clothing that follows current trends. Gyaru is not a single look but a family of styles, each with its own details, from sweet and soft to bold and glamorous.
Kogal, written kogyaru, refers to a style from the 1990s in which high school girls customised their uniforms, with loose socks, short skirts and accessories. It became a well-known media image and shaped many later styles. Anime and manga use gyaru characters as cheerful, confident, fashion-loving figures who may break expectations by being kind and hard-working.
Magazines and shops in the Shibuya district of Tokyo have long been linked with the style, and trends changed rapidly with each season.
Origin:Gyaru is the Japanese pronunciation of the English word gal, written in katakana, and it became widely used for young women's fashion in Japan during the late twentieth century. The kogal variety takes its name from the Japanese words for high school and gal, and it became a prominent trend in the 1990s.
Example:In a school comedy, a cheerful gyaru character with light hair, long decorated nails and a loud laugh sits next to a quiet student and, to everyone's surprise, turns out to be loyal, thoughtful and good at looking after friends. The contrast between appearance and personality is a common storytelling idea.
Did you know?Gyaru has produced sub-styles with names of their own, such as ganguro, known for deep tans and bright make-up, and himegyaru, the princess style with elaborate curls and lace. Fans of the fashion follow magazines and online groups to keep up with new trends.
