Kogals have been a force in Japan since they became popular in the 90s. But who are these women, and why have they become so important to modern Japanese life? Let’s explore all about kogals!
Kogals were known for their unique fashion sense. They often wore short skirts, blazers, and oversized cardigans, which was the most notable part of their fashion style due to being schoolgirls. Kogal also had a tan complexion, usually brown hair color, and would wear contact lenses to appear bigger than they really are.
The word “kogal” itself does not have any deep meaning but rather has evolved into being used as slang for security guards (or police officers). As such the term was originally used to describe young women who dressed like one: wearing uniforms instead of street clothes.
Kogyaru is a unique cultural phenomenon that emphasizes the importance of being strong and stylish from a young age in Japan. Kogals are known for their fashion sense, which is characterized by colorful hair dyes, platforms, and miniskirts. This style was seen as rebellious when it first emerged in the 1980s but has since become mainstream. Kogals have been described as “a bunch of girls who love to go out at night” due to their tendency to hang out on the streets after dark because many kogals can’t drive yet or don’t have jobs.
The media was obsessed with them because they were so young.
The media was obsessed with Heisei Kogals because they were so young—the average age was about 15 to 17 years old—and their fashion sense and attitude made them seem like rebellious youths. The media also focused on their tanned skin, makeup, and hair accessories.
But it wasn’t always in the best light…
The media has portrayed the Kogyaru as rebellious, arrogant, and narcissistic. Certain images of them are extremely sexualized. This is considered to be an exaggeration, but the fact remains that they have been associated with pop culture ever since then.
The influence of the Kogyaru on Japanese fashion is apparent in many ways:
There has been both positive criticism from those who appreciate individuality but also negative reactions from people who feel that their behavior reflects negatively on Japanese society at large due to its perceived lackadaisical nature towards education or goal-oriented careers.
The Kogal were the first to create their own culture. They adopted the term Kogal and started using it to describe themselves, which became the name for their subculture. They were associated with being rebels, who did things their own way rather than follow traditional Japanese norms. Kogals also created their own vocabulary, the first versions of Gyarumoji. In addition to creating a new vocabulary, they created their own fashion trends as well as slang words and phrases that are still used today in Japan’s youth culture; some words have even won BuzzWord awards.
After school in the daytime, you could also find Kogals shopping at stores in Shibuya109, and even working there. This gave way to the future super charisma clerk boom and gave way to many more trends.