page_title: Gyaru
section_title: Common gyaru styles
hierarchical_section_title: Gyaru / Common gyaru styles
caption_attribution_description: English: Kawaii fashion found in Tokyo, Japan
context_page_description: Gyaru is a Japanese transliteration of the English slang word 'gal' used to define a fashion subculture in Japan. It is rumored to be inspired by the popular late 1980s American action drama series Baywatch, that also appeared on Japanese television. The fashion style was probably created and then popularized by Pamela Anderson's role in the show at the time. It is rumored that gyaru was an exaggeration and over-representation of American teenage party culture in Japan. The term's usage peaked in the early 2000s, and has since gradually declined. This decline has been referred to as a strategy of the magazine organizations, over-exaggeration of the fashion, western media or even government policies. The meaning of the term gyaru gradually drifted to apply to a slightly older demographic whose apparent lack of interest in work or marriage resulted in these women being regarded as childish or a "hussy". Due to its past and its present connotation, it is now used almost interchangeably with kogal.
  During the Heisei era, gyaru subculture was at its peak. It had a large influence on Japan's fashion and its economy, with multiple gyaru brands branching out before eventually declining.
context_section_description: There are various subcategories of "gal" fashion depending on the choice of apparel and gender.
  gyaru-kei (ギャル系): the most common gyaru style. It is an umbrella term for the many subcategories or themes of gal styles.
  Ganguro (ガングロ): a gyaru with an artificial deep tan and bleached hair, and makeup which tended to use white around the eyes and on the lips, and darker shades on the eyes. Also, decorations such as glitter or flowers, such as hibiscus flower stickers added under the eyes. This style was popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
  Manba (まんば): Manba is darker than ganguro, but also wilder than ganguro. Manba would wear sexy outfits from very short to very long dresses, or shorts to long skirts. Accessories (such as bangles, beads, etc.) would also include the motif of flowers such as leis or hibiscus, of which these patterns would appear on their clothes. Colorful clothing was considered to be essential. They would sometimes wear sweatshirts, pants, and leg warmers. Disney characters made an appearance as a choice of fashion apparel such as characters from Lilo & Stitch and also characters from the Mickey Mouse franchise. The white lips remained and white eye shadows were applied. A manba's eye shadow can also be placed on a different place around the eyes. The amount of eye shadow could vary greatly. Some manbas also used a different eye shadow color on their eyelids. The use of glitter was acceptable as well. Stickers weren't used under the eyes anymore, instead, they were replaced with rhinestones (however they did not necessarily put them on). Common hairstyles featured big hair, bouffant, high ponytails with hair partly down, synthetic dreads, ribbons braided in, teased, side-swept, fringe, braids, curled, simply straight, or very colorful. Popular hair accessories included leis and other types of flowers/bows, straw cowboy hats, or straw hats. Flip flops, sandals, platform sandals, slippers, crocs, boots or leg warmers could also be worn.
  Yamanba (やまんば): like manba, but the nose contour stripe is white-colored and goes past the eyebrows. Yamanaba also means "old mountain hag" in Japanese, the style was regarded by the Japanese civilians as improper or even dirty.
  Banba (バンバ): Banba is a lighter form of manba. Bananas wear less white makeup than mambas, they also use more glitter, and may or may not have neon-colored hair. Banbas wear more extreme-looking types of false eyelashes, and colored contact lenses. Banbas wear darker colors than manbas and sometimes dress in club wear.
  Hime-gyaru: also known as Hime-kei, is one of the more over-the-top and one of the most expensive styles of dress of all of the categories since it is considered to be essential to buy the brand-names 'MA*RS' or 'Princess Melody'. The hime style is largely based on the Rococo era. Gyaru of this style wear dresses or skirts in pink or other pastel colors with many laces and bows. Rose patterns, rosettes, pearls, and crown motifs are also very common. Headpieces range from large bow clips with pearls to headbands with a rose accent, while the hair is either bleached in a certain color, crimped in a bouffant at the top and curled or wigs/extension are worn to create that sujimori styled hair (スジ盛り). This make-up style has even more exaggerated eyes than the typical gyaru. Hime-gyaru does not only include clothes, but many girls see it as a way of life and make or buy custom-made decor for their homes. The style blossomed in the early 2000 but has since declined or turned more casual (this version is referred to as hime kajii, but this style mostly uses the fashion brand 'Liz Lisa' rather than the now obsolete brand Princess Melody), though it is still present today in some sub circles. Not to be confused with Lolita fashion.
  Agejo (上げ嬢): a style that was highly active, agejo was mostly inspired by, and its aesthetic referenced in, the magazine Koakuma Ageha. It is a very foxy, ladylike, and mature style. It is generally worn by, but not always exclusive to, a hostess. The intention is to be flawlessly glamorous and desirable. The ag
caption: Picture of Himena Osaki, a Hime-gyaru influence, taken on May 26, 2012
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