Gyaru, Rules, and the State of Being

Cross posted from a forum July 21,2025

This is NOT to single any particular person out, just wrote a lot and wanted to archive it. :}

On gyaru fashion, gyaru as a subculture, gyaru rules, and the state of being 

“What’s in a name?” Shakespeare

 -Romeo and Juliet-

Gyaru is based on trends and popular items in a mall so some of that “freedom” is premade from the brands/mall. Manba is very otp compared to Rokku, Onee, Hime which makes it stand out more as “alt”.

“Copying” can just be from everyone getting the latest of what’s hot for gal/what’s hot in 109. It’s a safe bet on reading gyaru in appearance factor especially if you aren’t used to creating coords on your own or just want what’s trending etc. (if you are only copying someone else’s look?…. Well, that’s a topic for another day.) 

 A lifestyle or being a part of the subculture is something that is frequently done as a part of one’s identity, otherwise it’s just playing dress up or just hopping from one micro trend or aesthetic to the next. The TikTok era has made a LOT of subcultures into “core-esque” movements, watering down the reason for subcultures and those who have that as their lifestyle as a bigger capitalistic strategy and dismantling the purpose of subcultures: community from the mainstream. 

It’s like calling yourself a student because/when you are enrolled in school, etc. it’s a part of your life and you abide by a set of rules/guidelines and expectations of said role, ie “student”. That “student” is different from a “teacher” who’d be different from a “taxi driver”. 

That state of being performed over time is how subcultures like gyaru, goth, punk etc are able to exist. Yes, I am sure punks and goths have their lazy days and may not be as ornamented like on some of their best days (I knew a few goths and alt kids). Gals have had their off days as well; wearing a mask or sunglasses when not fully done up, or wearing cute sweatsuits on a lazy day. There have been pix years ago of such. (Im sure one of the archivists in the comm, whether vets or more new gen, have them)

I do wonder, if this was a subculture like goth, or even a preppy/jock style, would people be like this to those practitioners and wanting to bend those styles/lifestyles to nothingness, something that isn’t fine tuned, or just done a few times a month but “gimme dat label of a jock!!!”

But then, those groups (preppy kids and jocks) most likely wouldn’t even be WILLING to help or be gentle with terms like “baby/beginner prep/jock” or even take the time to pull ungatekeepy moves like style concrit, makeup editing to suit the face and illustrate a look that will read more of what the beginner preppy gurl wants, or sharing resources or doing makeovers… or sharing of how to get buff, as well as showcasing how one can master the make and styling and ease it in for everyday. 

The western gyaru comm has been more than (seemingly) forgiving in recent years compared to the earlier 2000s when you might have a galsa member or so-called gyaru sister take to Gyaru_Secrets, Gyaru_Fucks (a site to diss someone’s style and/or make), Gyaru Tea Party (an invite only diss site with anonymity), or other public or seemingly private sites to mock and humiliate someone for whatever ego driven reason. 

~Also, I am aware, and have been when I was a beginner gyaru , that some jobs don’t allow xyz that are in gyaru fashion. 

Young punks

With subcultures, it’s not necessarily meant to be so inclusive In the aspect of allowing non-xyz people to hold that label. Punks are punks because of their ideals, dress, etc. Would it be right for me to claim I was so “punk” if I’m not in the gear? If I’m not pierced or tatted? If I’m not rebelling and being ~punk~?

With that…. Would we even have gyaru as a subculture/lifestyle to be watered and dismantled by those who don’t want to put in the effort if the girls who lived the life were not loyal to it?