Around the fall and winter of 2010, fur-based animal items such as "scarves with cat ear hoods", "fur tails", and "monster boots" became hugely popular!
Fashion magazines for "gal" (a Japanese fashion subculture) would feature headlines like "Shibuya is an Animal Zoo" and "Animal-Rating xx% Outfit". Animal items were a major, major, MAJOR trend.
Popular animal outfits
Scarves with Cat Ear Hoods × Monster boots
"Scarves with cat ear hoods " and " monster boots ", which were a huge trend at the time, were adopted by gal of all styles, from the sweeter styles to the mature ones.
Teenage "gal" paired them with setup outfits or pastel-colored clothing, while those in their 20s combined them with simple casual styles like T-shirts and shorts.
A key point with the cat-ear scarf was not to wrap it around the neck but to let it dangle loosely.
Fur tails × Monster boots
This combination was also popular, having been featured in gal magazines like "egg" and "popteen" in their animal-themed pages.
While fur tails had been a trend among "Ayu-style gal" in the early 2000s, the animal intensity was much higher this time around.
Tsuyome-gal added "animal print clothes" to their fur tails and monster boots, achieving a fierce look reminiscent of carnivorous animals!
Ama-gal, on the other hand, paired it with a fur poncho and coordinated with predominantly white items, achieving a gentle look reminiscent of herbivorous animals.
The same items could give entirely different vibes depending on the color and combination!
Bear ear fur coat × Monster boots
Speaking of gal's winter staples, it's the fur coat. However, around 2010, the "bear ear fur coat" emerged as a new trend!
This cute coat, just by wearing it, became popular especially among the ama-gal.
Button up the coat and you'd be completely fluffy from head to toe – achieving a MAXIMUM animal vibe for winter.
Which animal items did many gal own?
Scarves with Cat ear hoods
One of the most popular items during the animal boom was the "scarf with a cat ear hood".
Although it's called a "scarf", the key was not to wrap it around the neck but to let it dangle.
The ends were designed to insert hands, making it common for girls to strike a "Gao pose(Pose like an animal with claws up) " when taking photos.
Monster boots
"Monster Boots" refer to fur boots with long hair.
At the time, they were more commonly referred to as "monster boots" than just "fur boots".
They were not only cute to wear but also very warm. Simply putting them on elevated the animal intensity of the outfit, making them an excellent fashion choice.
Fur leg warmers
Equally popular as the monster boots were "fur leg warmers".
You could pair them with your sandals or boots to achieve a look similar to the monster boots.
Moreover, they were more affordable, so for those who hesitated to buy trendy items that might only be in style for a season or those who wanted multiple colors, leg warmers were the more popular choice.
Fur tails (Fur charms)
Influenced by Ayu in the early 2000s, fur tails became a trend and experienced a resurgence a decade later.
Around 2010, in addition to the classic beige fur tails, there was a rich variety in colors, including white, black, and pink.
Many gal enjoyed buying the tails in various colors (known as "color-buying" — purchasing the same item in multiple colors) and matched them with their outfits for the day.
Fur coats
When it comes to standard winter outerwear for gal, "fur coats" are a must.
Just by wearing a fur coat, one could instantly achieve a gorgeous look.
It was a popular item across all gal genres.
In particular, leopard prints were in demand, and many gals in Shibuya could be seen pairing them with monster boots or knee-high boots.
