How to shop Off-Brand

 

Now I'm being inspired by Lynn's Post

Today I'll write a rare informative post, which I stopped doing some time ago, about how to shopp off-brand for "gyaruable" clothing. I'll preface this with the "gyaru isn't a fashion" blablabla whatever. 

But in this context think about seeking something that looks like what is shown in the magazines, worn by models, yeah gyaru isnt a fashion but it has a look doesn't it?

How to know what you want to buy:

MAGAZINES!

Seriously if you're doing everything as shown in the magazine you will get the look, that's how it is. 

Pick one or two magazines that have generally the same look, that you personally like and can actually wear in your life. Stick within the same 1-3 years range.

Example: EGG 1999-2001 

or 

RANZUKI 2007-2009

While you're looking, notice pieces that are used most common, pieces that stand out to you personally, and pieces that are the most versatile. 

DO NOT fall into the trap of simply looking at the most flashy, branded, or dramatic pieces and outfits you can see. 

The understated, versatile, daily-wearable things are what you want to prioritize.

Let's practice, shall we?

Let's look at this Street Groove from EGG2008年06月

what can we notice about these outfits if we break them down?

- Graphic T-Shirts

-zip up hoodies

-black heels

-bright colorful heels

-denim shorts

If I want to get the look of this spread, without even worrying about what brands they're wearing, I know I should shop for items like these.

What would I need to buy to get me closer to making many looks like these ones? 

Not just getting one look (ex: "I need a MA*RS setup so i can do agejo") because then it's not versitle and it only makes one outfit... what will you do the other 6 days of the week? And you'll definitely get clocked as an outfit repeater if you only have one outfit wwww

What would I feel the most comfortable and flattered in personally?

What could I wear at my job or school?

Maybe I can't wear high heels but I can wear denim shorts, and I don't own a pair! Every single one of the outfits on that spread features denim shorts, so now I know that's what I should buy.

How to know what to look for:

But, of course, it's not just any denim shorts that will work. It's not just any zip-up hoodie. Etc.

you also need to consider material, cut, fit, trim and hardware, etc. 

If I went out to buy denim shorts to try to copy the above spread and I came back with these, I would look like a fool

What is the trendy cut and fit of the shorts in the spread?:

Well, They're all very short, tight, and low rise.

What colors do I see?:

Either light wash denim, monotone, or a bright color.

Now I know these are the criteria I'm looking for.

How to find what you want:

Now I can start actually shopping. 

Knowing what I want:

denim shorts

What specifically I want them to look like:

low rise short shorts in either light wash, monotone, or a solid color.

It's basically zero effort at that point.

My best advice is use and abuse search filters.

I'm gonna go on the godless hellhole that is depop to demonstrate this.

I just searched "denim short shorts".

Then I set the category to shorts to filter out any mistagged items, set my size, set my price max to $20 because I'm not tying to spend rent money on a used pair of shorts, set the colors to the colors I'm looking for, and I can also set my location if I only want to pay domestic shipping.

and bam 38,485 options just on one app. 

now obviously not every single one is going to be exactly what I want, and honestly there's a lot of mislabeled garbage on depop, but now all I have to do is scroll until I see the pair that exactly suits the look I'm going for. 

and let's say I want a similar belt too

bam, $9.

It's important to remember that you're not gonna find an exact copy of the item. 

This is why it's important to understand WHY something gives the effect on an outfit that it does. 

You can get the same effect and sillhouette using different items if you look for things that will give the same effect, have the same cut and fit, etc.

Now, lets try it with a different more challenging example. Since you may be thinking "But Ray, denim shorts are sold anywhere. what about stuff they don't make outside of 109?"

Let's say I'm just in love with this outfit from VanillaGirl Vol.9 (and I am)

Maybe you thought "this only exists from japanese brands, there's no way to get this look unless I buy brand!"

let's think about what she's wearing purely analytically, like I told you earlier:

A floral print chiffon babydoll tunic with a feather necklace and Minnetonka boots. EASY

let's go search, lets try US Mercari this time.

As for the dress, I found already 4 options I thought were great in under 3 minutes just by searching "floral print babydoll tunic"

but I think my favorite is this one:

It has a different sleeve and no lace trim, but I think it still gives the airy girly feeling the inspo does.

Here's another very cute option!

As for the necklace, here is a match for under $5!

Of course, the cord is brown instead of light, but you could easily change it using some pliers and a new cord if you really wanted the light color.

An finally for the boots, it was a little more challenging since these have been out of style for a long time, so they're a little harder to find. 

I found some options which I think are a similar vibe:

But ultimately, forgetting about color, I think these were the best:

ONE MORE TIME!

How about this ADORABLE vitamin outfit from EGG1999年05月

well what's the breakdown?:

fitted bright color striped tank, matching bright color high waist shorts, matching slouchy legwarmers, meccha massive atsuzoko, puka shell jewelry, a statement watch.

EASY

I'm like 90% sure she's probably wearing a BabyG in the photo even though it doesnt say, they are always relatively in trend and stylish. I don't know, but I think the clear would look cool with this outfit. 

And as for the shoes, I'm so picky about platforms for 90's because I think almost nothing made today is suitable, the silhouette is just off. 

But the store on AliExpress "Large Sizes for Women Store" offers platforms I think do work, and you can also customize them. 

You can get the heel height and color/material customized on these and I think they'd be basically identical. 

Some Tips:

1. One thing I want to bring up is that I have found pinterests "shop the look" feature to be actually pretty impressive.

Of course, you still need to know what isn't suitable, and think about if it'll fit the same way, in order to avoid buying something ita though.

2. The other thing is: Don't be afraid of making alterations!

a needle and a spool of thread will change your life.

If something looks soooo close to being perfect, but you don't like the sleevs? cut them off and hem them diffrently.

It's cute but not cute enough? add a lace trim and bows!

It's the PERFECT fit and cut and size but the wrong color? dye it. 

There's nothing stopping you from having the exact garment you want.

Ok I gotta go now so I gotta be done writing. I hope this was helpful, and I didn't pre read it before posting so I hope it's ok LOL

A bit later:

I just wanna emphasize one last thing.

Yeah, buying off brand means you won’t get exactly the garment that’s in the magazines. You won’t get the brand name. You won’t get the opportunity to flex. But I think if you’re genuinely in it for the love of the game and you just earnestly like gyaru and want to do it for yourself, that won’t matter.

I think the hunt for that garment that’s exactly what you want, that excitement when you find something locally that you love, that satisfaction when you coordinate out of your own personal closet using your brain to come up with something that looks like it’d fit right in the magazines, but you made it all by yourself, THAT is the magic of gyaru. 

So I really encourage you all to put less emphasis on brand name and value and flexing and dropping rent on an exact copy of someone else’s outfit, and just start getting creative.