Look what Chelsea is doing somewhere in the Bible belt in the United States, “I have absolutely no Japanese heritage, but I am quite fond of Japanese culture.  In fact, it has influenced my clothing style that I feel expresses who I am today, as well as my preference in music.  Unique nylons or thigh-highs of all colors and designs; little pleated skirts coupled with cute tops; jumpers and gothic-style dresses.  I'm also known to wear tiny angel-wings on my back, or a cute backpack with blue-feathered wings attached.  One of my trademarks of several years has been a cat-ears headband. I took a liking to anime characters with catlike features, and people have always told me I act like a feline, so it seemed to fit.  Even these small gimmicks earn me the treatment awarded a circus freak.  By no means do I wear revealing outfits that would liken me to a prostitute, but I've been treated as if I AM one. Somehow a pair of knee-high, flat-soled black leather boots accompanied by fishnet stockings and a normal schoolgirl skirt makes me a bad. I get no respect in public for dressing the way I do.  Indeed, proprietors of most shops or restaurants eye me like a hawk, as if I'm a thief or an alien. People mistaking me as a hooker though no one has  never actually accosted me, but I know they've thought about it, and some of them mutter crudely to me in passing.   It doesn't help that (for some foolish reason) people mistake me as being partially or wholly Japanese. The fact that I like the clothes, the gimmicks, the language and culture means I'm FROM there?   I am seriously concerned that something WOULD happen to me especially since I've taken a liking to platform shoes, and I often wear colored hair extensions similar to the hairstyles "Japanese street fashion" has made so popular.”

Of course this type of treatment given to teenagers is unforgivable.  Of course, it makes sense that parents control how provocatively teenagers can dress (Hulk Hogan did control how Brooke Hogan dressed for a while) but merely critiquing a style because it is not the norm is against the rights of young.  Girls all over the world are fascinated by the freedom that Japanese girls have in how they dress.  Plus they are impressed by the creativity of these girls – after all many of them create their own unique styles and are not afraid to prepare their own dresses.  Isn’t true that major brands now rush to Japan for inspiration?  

Michelle, a young American girl, also admires the kogal and ganguro styles.  She tells us, “I love to see people who have their own style and do something different.  Certainly as a group, kogals all share similarities--trying to be as *cute* as humanly possible, and the ganguro girls with their distinctive suntans, hair-colors, and wild makeup all have some things in common, but each girl creates the look a little differently.  I have developed a personal style similar to the kogal look.  I love very bright colors, unusual combinations of patterns, short skirts, and complicated hairstyles inspired by anime characters.  Most other women living in the Mid-west wear very sensible, muted colors, very basic styles, and simple haircuts.  Lots of GAP clothing.  I love knowing that no one else will show up at a party wearing the same outfit I have on.  I don't think it is entirely out of malice or intent to annoy that kogals dress oddly.  I know I get a lot of fun out of wearing very strange clothes.  It is like playing dress-up every day!  I am sure many kogals get extra fun out of knowing that their outfits are shocking.  I sometimes truly enjoy when I get confused looks from conservative people--but I don't put on a pink, pleated miniskirt because it will bother some people.  I put it on because I think it looks cute.”