In case you don't know what any of that means, here's a bit of info about the areas of Japanese Street Fashion I'm most interested in. I'm not the most knowledgeable, but I know quite a bit.



Gyaru are fashionistas. The term means "Gal" and gyaru are all about looking good and following the latest trends in clothing, hair, and accessories. I prefer to start trends rather than follow them, and refuse to wear anything I think is hideous... but that's just me. Actually, I'm sure there's others who feel the same way.

Ganguro are dark skinned gyaru. They're either born dark, or they tan themselves/wear dark foundation. They also lighten their hair because black hair is too dull and common.

Onee-kei means "Big Sister Style" and is a style geared towards gyaru past their teen years. Onees are more elegant, sophisticated and mature looking. They are sexy in a polished way. I've noticed I'm becoming more and more onee-kei every day. I could blame work, but the truth is that I just look and feel prettier this way.

Banba are an off-shoot of the old yamanbas. To touch manbas just a little, think  ganguro in Hawaiian and California-style clothing, bleached blonde (sometimes platinum) hair. Add thick black eyeliner with white eyeshadow and lipstick pulled together in a way that's called "panda face," with/without stickers under the eyes. The banba gyaru are ganguro that wear BRIGHT colours in their hair, clothing and make-up. In my opinion, the cybergoths, ravers and banba are very similar.

So at work and on a typical day at home, I look onee. When I go out clubbing, I'm totally banba. Watashi wa itsumo kawaii! Fashion, hair, and make-up are all ways that people are easily able to express themselves creatively.  I think it's great to see how so many people have different ideas for looking and feeling good.