Ganguro

Posted by Faux Blondes on August 1, 2006

I have heard a lot about popular Japanese fashion trends such as Japanese street fashion like fruits, gyaru, and gothic lolita. But there’s particular group that I found interesting, even weird, that has been resurging within the subcultures in Japan. They are called “Ganguro” girls. There’s this picture who reminds me of a person I met if she dyed her hair like this woman’s hair then she would look like her! The true Ganguro girls look like those in the pictures below (scroll down the page). Ganguro has become one of the subgroups of main group: gyaru which means “gal” in Japanese. Now, there are more groups than ever ranging from ganguro to ganjiro to oneegyaru. In other set of group is manba, which is more of wilder style with white makeup and wear bright colors. In the past ganguro girls were outrageous but now it’s more refined and sophisticated, so it’s much better now. It’s becoming more popular with many girls all over the world. Ganguro simply means a person with either real or fake dark tan, usually blond to brown hair, and wear a lot of makeup. Ganjiro means same thing except for the tan. Oneegyaru is a group of people who have graduated from younger gyaru styles and focus on more mature, sophisticated gyaru style more suited to women who are pursuing jobs, relationships, or even motherhood after graduation from college or high school. I’d say I’m an oneegyaru because I’m already out of college and working in the real world, so I focus on more mature gyaru fashion yet maintain some of the fun and glamorous touches. After all, no one is ever too old to be a forever gyaru.

I usually don’t wear bright colors often but sometimes I feel like dressing up in bright and vivid colors like blue, pink, yellow, and purple if I get tired of wearing black. I’m starting to like the rest of Japanese street fashion but I don’t wear like those brave Japanese girls because it’d make me feel so out of place. Even I love to wear high platform boots or shoes and frilly dresses, I’m not at the liberty to wear them in the public by the fact I live in laid back and slightly conservative city! That sucks. If I lived in Japan, maybe I’d feel more free to dress up, including gothic lolita fashion, regardless of my age. I guess my heart never grow old although my years have added up. Many people thought I was as young as 18 to 24, which flattered me. But this trend isn’t for everyone. I guess the Japanese can get away with it.

A pretty ganguro girl: