[fashion] Happy (belated) International Gyaru Day!

I last made a post on gyaru day on October 9, 2024 (the date 10/09 refer to Shibuya 109, the fashion shopping center in Tokyo, Japan where you can buy gyaru-related fashion even though international dates would be 09/10???).  Since things have changed in the meantime, specifically the blog I linked to no longer exists, I will post an update this year. (Not sure what I was doing last year on this date, apparently sewing.) I’m a little late since I had to work overtime on the 9th and I had a gyaru/fashion market the next day to prepare for, but hey, it’s a subject I want to blog about and I had gyaru on the mind on that date, it still counts. I will make a post about all of my gyaru sewing later after all of my events are finished, but here is a sneak peek just for you!

I feel like since 2024 there is a slight increase in popularity of international gyaru at least on social media, though not as widespread as the 2010s or obviously the original gyaru era in the late 90s early 2000s in Japan. I’m happy to see any gyaru resurgence though, because it’s a tough fashion to get into, since unlike lolita, you also need to do your own makeup and hair, that part is not really optional. I don’t really call myself a gyaru since I’m now way too old to put that much effort into makeup and hair, but at least I try, I’m a casual, a true himekaji, I guess. Ever since the pandemic in 2020, people hop on micro-trends and fandoms constantly because everyone gets bored so easily now, so I don’t know if gyaru will stick around, as jirai kei, an even newer fashion with less emphasis on makeup/hair/nails, is already fading. I do theorize something that’s totally keeping gyaru on trend is the y2k culture/lifestyle currently making a resurgence in normal everyday society – obviously the fashion, but also the music and movies and toys and franchises and tech and whatnot.  Nostalgic millennial spending, that’s what it is if you ask me, lol.

Unfortunately in my area, I don’t know if gyaru is making enough of a comeback, maybe it’s just me and 2 other girlies. However, I noticed that California, literally the original inspiration for gyaru fashion (well, that and Hawaii), has a new gyaru group, so I’m linking their instagram here, Kirakira Gals LA, for the latest happenings in Southern California. They do post para para videos, so check it out if you’re into para para! I love eurobeat but I’m terrible at para para so don’t look at me.

Anyway, that’s my personal observations on the current state of the fashion of gyaru!

Instagram links for my local fashion related markets…

Kirakira Market

Decodolls Market

Recent gyaru-related social media and youtube posts that I’ve enjoyed…

Hextian made a custom hime gyaru doll and is wearing hime gyaru! They also collabed with other doll artists.

39 Year old Gyaru makes Fish Burgers in Osaka

Korean DIY nail artist makes the perfect pink animal print nails

Corporate Gyaru skit on Instagram

31 Year old Gyaru Mom’s Inspiration on Instagram