The public image is that having ear piercings is also of the "gal" look! I always thought everyone wanted to get their ears pierced during their school days, but is that not the case?
What comes to mind when you hear the word "Gal"?
There are positive opinions such as "cute," "bright," and "fun-loving."
On the other hand, there are also negative opinions, such as "loud," "rude," and "lacking manners."
Although they are often prejudged due to their flashy appearance, many of them are actually serious at heart and have wonderful qualities like being thoughtful of their friends.
In this article, we will introduce some of the distinctive features of gal.
Origin of "gal"
The term "gal" originates from the English word "girl," adapted into American youth slang.
When it began to be used in Japan around the 1970s, it referred to vibrant young women full of youth.
It's said that the definition of "gal" shifted to refer to those with heavy makeup and bright hair colors, primarily found in Shibuya, around the 1990s with the rise of the "kogyaru" subculture.
Characteristics of gal
The focus is on eye makeup!
Even though gal styles from different eras vary, one constant is the emphasis on heavy eye makeup.
Previously, it was thought that making your eyes as black as possible would make them look bigger. As a result, the eyeliner was staining the area around the eyes completely black.
Additionally, stacking false eyelashes was the norm. They would often wear two (or three) layers of thick, dense false lashes.
Blonde is overwhelmingly popular!
There's an image that "gal = blonde," and indeed, many gals in the past had blonde hair.
Following blonde, lighter shades of brown and ash tones were popular, with a tendency to prefer high-tone colors.
When it comes to hairstyles, there seemed to be a higher proportion of gals with long hair.
This is likely because long hair is easier to style and arrange.
Fashion is revealing and flashy!
When it comes to gal fashion, it's characterized by:
- Wearing flashy clothes that incorporate trendy items.
- Wearing clothes that reveal a lot of skin.
- Wearing miniskirts and shorts with bare legs even in winter.
- Wearing thick-soled or high-heeled shoes.
- Adorning oneself with flashy accessories.
Many gals were very sensitive to the latest trends, so you would often see them sporting cutting-edge fashions.
For some reason, gals loved to show some skin! Especially their legs – even in winter, going bare-legged was essential.
It was all about enduring for the sake of fashion!
Unusually long and flashy nails
One thing that the writer feels is distinctly "gal" is the "incredibly long nails."
When I was a gal (around 2010), sculpted nails (), which could be made even longer than gel nails, were the trend.
Many opted for long nails because it made their fingers look elongated and provided a larger "canvas" for illustrations or rhinestones.
.Sculpted Nails: A technique where acrylic resin is applied to natural nails, allowing one to extend the length or shape the nails as desired.
The nail designs were varied, but there was a noticeable trend of incorporating seasonal motifs.
In spring, there were designs with a pink base featuring Pucci patterns or Barbie-themed nails.
For summer, nails with 3D hibiscus art or palm tree illustrations on fluorescent colors or gradation bases.
Autumn had leopard or tweed patterns and Halloween-themed designs.
Winter popularized designs that evoked snow on a white base, as well as nails themed around Christmas and Valentine's Day.
Regardless of the season, using lots of rhinestones to give the nails a sparkling finish was very gal-esque!
It was also a staple for those with boyfriends to have their boyfriend's initial on the ring finger of their left hand.
Gals are often fashion-forward, not only in terms of clothing but also in makeup, hairstyles, and nails, demonstrating a strong commitment to their unique style in all these aspects.
Despite societal pressures, gals stick to what they love, a mindset that is said to be passed down to the Reiwa-era gals.
Although the number of gals has been steadily declining over time, it would be wonderful to see a resurgence, reminiscent of the Heisei-era gals, as this unique style offers invaluable experiences that one can only enjoy during their youth.
