I once heard someone refer to getting dressed as an art. I totally agree. Not only is it an art, it's an ongoing practice. It's something I constantly work at. I'm an eternal student of gyaru fashion.
I believe breaking down coordinates from Gal mags is the best "studying" one can do as a gyaru. Newbie or veteran.
When I first started, I often asked myself whether my outfits "read" as gyaru. I think it's something that every gal experiences at some point in their journey. Understanding gyaru fashion is critical for feeling confident in your outfit's "gyaru-ness," and studying coordinates in gal mags and other primary sources is an excellent method to accomplish this.
I don't mean a casual browse. You should spend a lot of time examining the coordinates you like and working out what makes them gyaru. That might be the garment itself, the colors, the silhouettes, or how it complements the rest of the gal's appearance.
Let's start with Masamegu-san's coordinate. (๑*ᗜ*)
The basic breakdown:
- Pink mid-to-high waisted jeans
- Brown belt with silver buckle
- Pink tube top
- Platform sandals (with pink accents)
- Silver bangles, necklaces and rings
- 1960s mod-style pink earrings
The key "gyaru" points here are the use of a tropical motif (the hibiscus belt buckle), a bright color (pink), and platform sandals.
Masamegu is wearing Alba Rosa, which is such a well-known gyaru brand that simply wearing their clothing is usually enough to identify you as gal. Alba Rosa's iconic status as a Gyaru Brand (capital G.B.) stems from its utilization of tropical and Hawaiian motifs, which are profoundly embedded in many gyaru substyles. With that in mind, you don't need to own any Alba Rosa to achieve this vibe. Often, a well-placed plumeria will suffice.
To recreate this coordinate, I would start with a pair of jeans and a blouse in matching vibrant colors. Masamegu is wearing a monochrome outfit. While hers is pink, you can produce a similar effect through any number of vivid colors: yellow, orange, lime green, Icee blue... you name it. The great thing about Gyaru is that it has a broad palette. Notably, her top is a shade or two darker than her trousers. It can be difficult to find exact color matches with separate pieces, so creating depth and contrast with different shades of the same color can keep it cohesive while still achieving that monochromatic vibe.
Take note of the shape and style of her top and jeans. She's wearing a tube top with what looks like higher-waisted, straight-legged trousers. If you're not a fan of the monochromatic look, you can achieve this coordinate through form instead by pairing a tube top with straight jeans and a neutral-colored belt. Also, keep in mind where the hem of the top falls: right above the belt. Where a garment falls can also drastically alter the feel of an ensemble.
Masamegu's accessories are typical for any ganguro coordinate: silver bangles, rings, and layered necklaces. In this case, the accessories aren't the outfit's focal point, so you can wear just about any accessory—as long as it doesn't draw attention away from the main point of the outfit. We're trying to maintain the coordinate's visual rhythm.
Let's talk about the shoes. Platforms are pretty standard for any Ganguro fit. In my opinion, the most crucial aspect of the sandals (as they pertain to this coordinate) is their height. Jeans are very forgiving; you can pair them with almost any type of shoe. However, the platform is such a quintessential component of a ganguro outfit that it goes a long way to help the overall coordinate read as gyaru.
Now, let's do Buriteri's. (˵ •̀ ᴗ •́ ˵ ) ✧
- Blue polo
- Pink skort/shorts
- Platform sneakers
- Scrunch socks
- Silver bangles
- Oval sunglasses
Buriteri's coordinate exudes casual sportiness. The shorts have an intriguing shape, but I believe a similar look can be accomplished with ordinary shorts or a skort. I think a tennis skirt would work just as well.
The outfit appears to be very soft and breathable. None of the fabrics look too constrictive or tight. Also, notice how she has the polo collar popped up, which provides another layer of casualness to what could otherwise be a more "uptight" garment. The sunglasses tucked inside the collar contribute to the overall feel. There's a hint of country club vacation here, but with a Gyaru twist.
The light blue and pink combination is fun and gels well. When putting together a similar fit, consider complementary or triadic shades and avoid skewing too dark. The lighter colors keep the overall look fresh and airy.
Consider pairing a pastel yellow with an electric blue or a tropical indigo.
A light green can be paired with this orchid shade (which I just learned is called Hibiscus Pop. How cute is that???)
Moving down, we see Buriteri in scrunch socks (a Kogal staple) and platform sneakers. Notably, the sneakers are from the now-defunct brand Question Mark. Unfortunately, there do not appear to be many reproductions of this style of sneaker. Its shape and design are quite unique. However, the most important aspects here are the socks (which can be purchased on Amazon) and the shoe's chunkiness. Pairing scrunch socks with a chunky sneaker will achieve a similar aesthetic.
Great work, everyone! ᕦ(ò_óˇ)ᕤ
I hope this breakdown helps you assemble some fantastic coordinates.
I do want to add a slight disclaimer. While clothing is integral to gyaru, it's not the be-all-end-all. Depending on which substyle you ascribe to, there are a variety of components that come together in a sort of gem fusion to create the entire gyaru look.
In the case of Masamegu and Buriteri, they are old-school ganguro and, as such, have deep tans and bleached hair. Without those elements, I doubt their outfits would look as gyaru as they do. It's a balance.
Keep that in mind as you style yourself. You got this. ♡
