Gyaru

is a Japanese transliteration of the English word "gal". The name originated from a 1970s brand of jeans called "gals", with the advertising slogan: "I can't live without men", and was applied to fashion- and peer-conscious girls in their teens and early twenties. Its usage peaked in the 1980s and has gradually declined. The term gradually drifted to apply to a younger group, whose seeming lack of interest in work or marriage gained the word a "childish" image. It is now used almost interchangeably with "kogyaru" and younger generations may consider it clichéd or even archaic.

Varieties of gyaru

There are various subcategories of "gals" depending on the choice of fashion, and also gender.

*"Ganguro gyaru" (ガングロギャル) - a gal with an artificial deep tan and bleached hair.
*"Kogyaru" - generally a high school student (高校生 "kōkōsei").
*"Oyajigyaru" (オヤジギャル) - from oyaji and "gyaru". A "gyaru" who behaves in a masculine way, who drinks beer and uses rough language.
*"Onegyaru" (お姉ギャル) - a "gyaru" who has graduated from high school, and thus become a more mature "onee-san" (literally "elder sister" but, here, "young lady"). The style is more sophisticated.
*"Ogyaru" (汚ギャル) - a dirty or disheveled "gyaru" who may forsake daily baths or takes little care in her behaviour and dress, even by "gyaru" standards.
*"Gyaruo" (ギャル男) - the "gyaru"'s male counterpart. See Gyaruo.
*"Manba" (マンバ) - deep tan and contrasting white make-up. Their hair is usually pastel-coloured or blonde, and very long and back-combed. Their clothes are neon and layered.
*"Kigurumin"* - wear "kigurumi", a type of pajama-suit that resembles an animal and sometimes cartoon characters.
*"Bibinba" (ビビンバ) - this look usually includes a lot of gold and jewellery. Similar to "b-gal".
*"Banba" (バンバ) - barbie-gal, with differences such as their wearing of slippers and stilettos. They also use more glitter, and have a neon touch to their hair. They use more extreme-looking types of false eyelashes and coloured contact lenses. The most respected Gal-cir is "Angeleek"; there are 22 members in their Tokyo group, and they have many other groups throughout the country.
*"Kyoba bo-i" - the male "banba". The make-up is similar to "Sentaa-gai"'s, but the eyes can be made up to look bigger. They accessorize excessively and commonly don bangs.
*"Himegyaru" (姫ギャル) - girls who dress as princesses. Hair colours vary from blonde to brown and is usually very big and teased. They wear expensive clothing from brands such as Liz Lisa and Jesus Diamante.

External links

* [http://www.japanlinked.com/about_japan/culture/fashion/galstyles.html Detailed list of all GAL styles with photos]

* [http://belle.22web.net Belle - An online resource for all things himegyaru.]

* [http://www.galfactory.webs.com ★ RECENT STYLE PICTURES AND INFORMATION ★]

ee also

*Gyaru-moji, a type of lettering used in mobile phone messages by gals
*Moe
*Gyaruo
*Subculture