The Return of The Loose Sock, Early Gyaru Roots to Y2K Punk Right Now
sabukaru takes an appreciative look at crucial details of various subcultures, one accessory at a time.
This time going into the lore behind the loose sock/ルーズソックス that probably has made the biggest subcultural crossover in accessory history, spanning cosplay, fairy kei genres, and beyond. Now making a comeback with the Y2K punk genre still in its infancy but with origins in Japan’s kogal/gyaru movement circa the 90s.
For a quick refresher, gyaru/kogal style is a fashion movement as much as a cultural one. The standard image of a kogal is a “rebellious” fun loving high schooler with dyed blondish hair, bedazzled flip phone, and a modified high school uniform [lowkey breaking every dress code rule imaginable] with a rolled up skirt, undone tie, and of course complete with loose socks, even going into unhinged territory with sock folds reaching 200 cm [but usually around 120 cm].
Why did loose socks become such a gyaru staple, and now a signature piece of the “Heisei Nostalgia” look that’s been appearing these past three years?
Many explanations abound, but it’s all just rumor. Some say, originators of the style were kogals who believed the bulkiness of the sock paired well with mini rolled up pleated skirt uniforms [another staple of the gyaru identity], allegedly making their legs more elongated.
Another reason was that girls from Sendai and Ibaraki prefectures used them to keep warm while still sporting mini skirts in the wintertime, without sacrificing comfort. This trend spread nationwide.
The most likely rationale is, Japanese school dress codes are notoriously strict. Although times are changing recently with more schools allowing for uniform customization for more freedom of expression, in the 90s-00s rules were hyper-specific regarding skirt length, hair color, etc. but surprisingly lax when it came to socks. The result? Students going crazy with their sock choices, leading young girls to experiment with sock styles outside the norm to rebel against conformity while escaping detention/other punishments.
Long live the loose sock.
