Tsubasa Masuwaka, also known as "Tsu-chan," was the face of the gal fashion magazine "Popteen" and a popular TV personality.
Trendsetter and style icon, she inspired countless fans to follow in her footsteps, further popularizing the various gal styles.
Let's take a look at some of her popular Tsu-chan fashions this time.
Tsubasa Masuwaka Fashion 1: Barbie-style
Barbie fashion is a fashion style like a Barbie doll that incorporates gingham check and leopard print items.
This fashion style, resembling a Barbie doll, was frequently featured in magazines and even graced the covers or had special features dedicated to it.
When wearing gingham check, the key was to avoid pink clothes, as it could be mistaken for the "himegal-style."
For clothes, choose monotone colors. The point is to incorporate pink and red with accessories and put them together chicly!
When wearing leopard print, pairing it with a capeline hat and a quilted bag created a retro atmosphere.
At the time, it was challenging to differentiate between Barbie-style and himegal-style, but the author, who was a huge fan of tsu-chan, often wore gingham check and leopard print clothing.
Tsubasa Masuwaka Fashion 2: Himegal-style
LIZLISA was a popular brand among fair-skinned himegal and junior high and high school students, known for its pastel floral prints and chiffon-based sweet clothing.
However, tsu-chan, who was a kurogal () at the time, also caught the attention of other kurogal by wearing LIZLISA's clothing in a cute way.
Tsu-chan looked great in princess-style gal fashion with her hair curled and dressed in LIZLISA's sweet clothing, enchanting many gal fans.
. Kurogal... Refers to gal who tan their skin at tanning salons. The term is used in contrast to "shirogal," who do not tan their skin.
Among floral prints, sunflower patterns offer a vibrant yet not overly sweet cuteness. While LIZLISA has many floral print items, the author associates tsu-chan with a sunflower dress from LIZLISA.
Tsubasa Masuwaka Fashion 3: Casual-style
Contrasting with the himegal-style and Barbie styles, Tsu-chan 's casual fashion was also undeniably cute!
During this era, casual outfits featuring menswear-like clothing were popular, and tsu-chan often showcased casual outfits using boyfriend denim ().
. Boyfriend denim... As the name suggests, boyfriend denim has a baggy silhouette, similar to jeans worn by men.
The key to casual outfits with boyfriend denim was to pair them with high-heeled pumps, adding a feminine touch to the casual look.
Tsu-chan's technique of maintaining femininity while dressing in menswear-like clothing was truly impressive!
Casual outfits often featured simple items, lacking the flashy gal style. To add visual flair and emphasize the gal vibe, Tsu-chan would style her hair in tight curls and wear a knit hat.
Tsubasa Masuwaka Fashion 4: Shibuhara mix
At that time, 109 brands were synonymous with gal style!
However, when magazines introduced the "Shibuhara mix" style, which incorporated vintage clothes sold in Harajuku, many gal started enjoying vintage mix outfits, and Harajuku became a popular shopping destination for them.
Popular vintage items among gal included
- Checkered shirts
- Character T-shirts
- Overalls
Gal often combined these items with strong gal elements, such as knit hats, mini skirts, and pumps.
Tsu-chan 's ability to adapt various fashion styles and make them her own is truly remarkable. Her self-producing skills made her stand out and look adorable in every style.
Her influence was immense, and items she wore would quickly sell out as a result.
Many gal admired Tsu-chan and emulated her fashion choices.
