why gyaru is freedom

 

When I thought to write about this topic, I had a strong emotion within me, that I felt inside of me and I kind of knew what I want to say with this post but struggled a little bit how to start or how to phrase this emotion into words.

After brainstorming a little bit, I try by just starting with one thing and see where the words take me.

Those who know me for longer, know that I have been struggling a lot with my gyaru identity over the years and I also wanted to quit a few times, just to always come back to it.

Although I also have different interests and I like to try out other styles from time to time, I felt most comfortable within the gyaru sphere. It feels like home, like a place that I belong to.

I couldn't point out further what exactly it was, it just was like that.

I read old gyaru magazines, see a model having an interview and the words and sentences they say, I just resonate a lot with it.

I never can leave it behind for fully, my heart is beating for it and instead of dropping it when it didn't work out that well, I just kept finding out new ways to be myself and do gyaru.

Now, I feel and understand more than ever what it means to be gyaru and to be able to experiment with a personal style but still staying within the same group.

It's this passion to be fully you - your looks being your never ending project.

When it comes to makeup, what eyeliner you take and what lashes... it starts with specific techniques you follow to have that "gyaru look" nailed down and it took me to a religious routine I follow every day while applying, where now I like to bring some creativity in...using techniques that apply to ME and how I want to do MY meiku.

The hair, that was just "blonde" because that's like THE color for a gyaru to oh, I like that shade, and I want to try out this technique, and this looks so cool, I wanna do that too..

The nails - that are like THE statement of my style, the trait that makes ppl recognize me in public. I could go out with no makeup and no style, walking in my apartment or anywhere and I have my attitude with me...it is a constant reminder of who I am, even undressed.

the clothes, that used to be a cosplay I wore, trying to "perfectionize" a look by copy-paste them and now I wear what I wanna wear, what I feel comfortable or cozy in. What makes me feel sexy or just who I am as a person. I get my inspo literally everywhere, it doesn't have to be specifically gal. I watch closely to cuts, patterns, colors, textiles. I do no think of categories like substyles anymore, instead I think of vibes to match a look to that I wanna do. The goal being a good coherent outfit that matches, instead of something that looks "so gyaru". When I say smth like this, it is most likely clothes that have leo/cheetah-print, glitter or gold chains on that fit into the "typical aesthetique" of gyaru, which I phrase like that to decribe it in a short way. 

A look that used to be a "goal" to achieve is now just....me.

I looked closely at gyaru magazines and also sorted them by time and when you do that, you will notice that it never had to be about brands or labels. It was just girls following trends that were popular at that time. Which also means, the substyles the gaijin world likes to keep alive so much, were just terms to describe a specific style of that time period..it is not up-to-date.

A newbie might like the "substyles" because it is new to them but at some point they will get fatigue of seeing the same things over and over again and THAT'S when it is time give it a personal, more latest touch to it and become your own type of gal. Give it some progress.

The most popular models didn't get so popular because they were good in copying the style so well, they got popular because they were unique, because they had something about them that made them stand out.

I feel free to wear whatever I want, wherever I want.

I have fun experimenting with my style, getting inspo from all corners and mix things.

Lately, this passion is getting more and more passed on to making collages and saving pics unfortunately, instead of actually styling myself with something new, because I need to save some more money right now  T.T

I try to make new outfits with what I have in my closet right now already, but I reached the limits now I think xD

Nonetheless, gyaru allows me to be fully myself.

I do not have to worry about fitting into box - to me that means freedom.

When I was younger, I was insecure about myself and how I looked. I always wished I was one of the pretty girls and got bullied for being ugly as well. Gyaru set me free of the expectations of others and gave back my confidence, owning myself and who I am. I do not strive to be like others or the "pretty girls" anymore. I see beauty in the things I wear, in the meiku I do and it brings me joy.

It's giving you power as well - People around you will get that aura from you and admire it. I often heard people compliment me, telling me how they think my style is amazing and they think it is awesome how I walk around. They usually tell me in situations, where I forgot and don't pay attention to it. It is a reminder, you inspire people to be more daring too. You become a role model in that way, even if you don't intend to.

I had a lot of days where I felt sad about people just wearing jeans and a shirt, or sweatpants even. I miss creativity and unique styles. I live by the motto "be the change you want to see in the world".

Be yourself and be unique - the others will follow.

After dressing up at work, I could tell over time (even if the change is very subtile), that the women started dressing up more too. They would come up to me and tell me "look what I wear today" and feel joy about showing me their newest dress or a combo they wanted to wear. I could sense this and I love every bit of it.

Fashion is my passion and I love to see more people embrace it.

If you are struggling with the feeling of not being "gyaru enough" my current tip is, to just go with the flow. Whatever interest you will show and if it is not gyaru, that's okay too. You can find joy in smth that you don't need to practice yourself. 

Just be yourself and have fun with it.

Gyaru is freedom because it allows you to wear what you want, wherever you want. Without fear or limits.

xoxo rinmero