Also a great blow I follow that has been super up to date on Japanese fashion trends also covered this subject recently and explained finally wtf happened to my beloved Popteen:
http://universal-doll.com/2013/10/popteen-new-gyaru-era-style-breakdown-and-reasons/
But when I picked up this year's October issue my heart fell as I saw super natural lashes and hardly any make-up. Matter of fact Pikarin looked like an AKB48 girl and not a glamorous cute gyaru that I once admired her to be.The clothes were a lot more simple too. Something I've noticed is that brands are taking off a lot of print and detail of their clothes and making it more casual.
I've noticed all of this for awhile. Tsubasa Masuwaka once looked like a glamourous gyaru who everyone used to love and adore with her sexy clothes and bold make-up that created a huge statement. Everyone wanted to her. Now a day? I feel like Tsubasa despite her still holding the title of being the Queen of Shibuya-she looks like she's trying to look twelve. There's nothing to look up to in that aspect anymore.
I looked at Liz Lisa recently and was also a little disappointed in how granny looking their Spring collection was. The fall season my eyes can handle a lot better but I'm always debating if clothes that are so casual are worth my money or if I should try the replicate the style via Forever 21.
In all? I was pretty sad that the new style was considered gyaru. For a western like myself, no effort needs to be made to be that type of gyaru. Yes I still have to apply make-up but I can easily use my own green eyes and naturally long lashes to achieve that look. I can basically be considered a gyaru with effort anymore and I honestly don't find that appealing. I look like a trendy girl and not a unique gal that I was.
Does anyone else feel this way?
So what do *I* think personally happened? My friend Ashley definitely reminded me what happened. One of the answers? K-Pop took over. Don't get me wrong, I love K-Pop as much as the next person but when it seeped into my Japanese Pop Culture..it was time to say gtfo! I loved how separate they were honestly. I loved looking forward to something different from each of them and now; oh it's all the same thing.
You can't deny if you know Ulzzang and you know Gyaru-there used to be a HUGE gap between what that style was. Now? Natural is better and the more gyaru are looking like K-Pop Idols and Ulzzang than their own thing. The Hallyu Wave hit Japan pretty hard not only fashion wise but in their Oricon Chart as well. Back in the day BoA and DBSK were huge leaders in the K-Pop and J-Pop industry but when the second wave hit groups like Kara, Super Junior, 2NE1, SNSD, and 4Minute really took over Oricon side by side with Japan's megagroups such as AKB48 and KiMyFt2 who btw is based off of the Korean n drama 'You're Beautiful' that also had a Japanese rendition muchly similar to how Korea took ahold of Hana Yori Dango.
In generally there's been an idol swap. Before it was Ayumi Hamasaki, Namie Amuro, and Tsubasa. Now it's 2NE1 and SNSD.
Another theory of mine?
Perhaps the people who've always influenced gyaru from the older eras are now older. They've toned down their style with their age and the younger gen of gyaru have followed suit.
There's also been the theory of money going down and making gyaru or trendy clothes more accessible. A lot youth steer towards fast fashion brands like Forever21 and H&M and I'm equally as guilty of following this. Usually because trends especially in Japan change horrendously quick and the cheapest alternative to being on trend is Forever21 as they've adapted things that are gyaru-esque and very K-Pop trendy as well.
Fashion styles are becoming a lot more wide spread. Even Harajuku and Shibuya have further blended. the term ShibuHara isn't use anymore apparently but I feel this describes the Harajuku and Shibuya street style more so than ever. That's what it is sole. Street style. I've alway felt like to be a Harajuku kid you were unique. I'm finding in Kera's street snaps that even lolitas and v-kei peeps are less polished as they were before and Gyaru just looks like an outright street style rather than glamorous.
Gyaru now is seen as an attitude. By no doubt it's always been but as the gyaru magazine EGG always started 'Get Wild, Be Sexy!'. Gyaru have always been bold and rebellious. Not to say that they aren't in their own way but the more and more I feel like the gyaru of today are looking up to 2NE1 rather than Namie and Tsubasa. If you're the cuter gal you've traded your Popteen models for A Pink and SNSD.
What I feel like gyaru should be? Still bold. Maybe not clothes wise or even with your hair but I still feel like contacts and make-up should always make a bold statement. If you like the old style but still want to be trendy-this is a way I feel works to combat the trend.
Thick lashes, big circle lenses, and perhaps more pigmented make-up with such plain clothes. Think bright colors like gold, sapphire blue, black, lime green, and red versus the usual pink, cream, gold, and pink eye shadows. Lips? Go nude or go magenta or red even..vamp colors are really hot right now!. Even a earthy tone should be acceptable even!
Hair wise? French braids that could easily turn into crimped hair the next day, side sweeps, and jewel hair accessories. Less bows and more combs and berrets. If you want flat hair. Go straight, rock bangs. Hair color wise? Go all out with dip dyed hair or a really nice color.
If you're more of a sweet gyaru who is still in hopes of following Ank Rouge and Liz Lisa. Look less Ulzzang. Definitely go for bigger brighter circle lenses, thick lashes, and curled hair for a nice sweet doll effect.
If you're going sexy. Gold and black/silver black/silver/gold/navy. Think nude lips or red and the best way to go is Rock Gyaru right now honestly. Think Glavil/Tutuha/DIA even. That is as glam as it gets.
Anyway, I hope this explains a little of my opinion of what happened to Gyaru a bit! Does anyone feel the same way? Feel free to let me know!
