When it comes to setting trends, the country of South Korea is often at the leading end. Think about it. From the numerous Korean skin care products, sheet masks and the game-changing 10-step skincare regime to the general obsession with Korean TV dramas and movies that has caught on to, you guessed it, the quirky genre of music that K-Pop (Korean pop) is now – South Korea is the undefeated setter of beauty, tv and now, also, fashion trends.
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For those who watch K-dramas and follow the swoon-worthy band member of K-Pop bands such as BTS, you already know the Koreans are in a league of their own. All the latest shows are filled with just as much fashion inspo as they are with romance, suspense and comedy. Apart from being oh-so-pretty, the actors’ OOTDs will leave you wanting more – you’ll see everyday ensembles that look so effortlessly chic, the plot isn’t the only thing that would get you hooked.
So, if you’re looking to change things up, wardrobe-wise, we recommend taking a leaf out of the Koreans’ style file. Korean fashion trends will help you upgrade your sartorial game and pump new life into your closet.
Korean Style Tips & Fashion Trends
Whether it’s day-to-day OOTDs or going-out style, here are all the big trends Korean style tips you need to take note of:
Oversize
The global trend that all women across the world are obsessed with is better and (much) bigger in South Korea. We’re talking supersized everything! Wintertime sees extremely oversized puffer coats, structured overcoats – we love those overcoats – and big jumpers. In the summer, it’s common to see oversized t-shirts, dresses and even shoes. Take notes from the Koreans on how to incorporate this trend into their outfits. There’s a method to this madness, too, ladies. Play with proportions and learn to balance them, for instance, if you’re wearing an oversized sweater, pairing it with straight-cut, cropped jeans will add some sharpness rather than making it look frumpy.
Checks and Plaids
Image source: Instagram
If there is such a thing as a fashion obsession, this is it. One of the biggest and best Korean fashion trends at the moment is all checks everything. It doesn’t matter what kind of checks we’re talking about. Whether it is gingham, plaid, micro or houndstooth, as long as it is a checkered pattern, it is in every Korean girl’s closet. From doing check-on-check to pairing the pattern with neons or going monotone, take a cue on how to style a classic pattern in new and ultra chic combinations by paying attention to this Korean fashion trend.
Mom Jeans
A stylish statement in every girl’s closet in Korea is the quintessential pair of mom jeans. These girls show that a simple pair of blue denim pants goes a long long way. They wear them with t-shirts, shirts and tops, sure, but they know how to mix it up with dresses, tunics and skirts as well. To us, jeans are basics but in Korea, they’re nothing short of blue brilliance. From plain old classics to embellished, from solid to washed, from mom jeans to boot-cut, you’ll find all kinds of jeans as the centre of a standard on-point outfit in Korea.
Knee High Socks And Boots
Image source: Instagram
A Korean fashion trend that needs to take over your autumn and winter wardrobes is the knee-high accessories and shoes. Not only are knee-high socks and boots a requisite in chilly weather but they are also one of the things Korean women deem as super stylish as it instantly changes the look of an outfit. If you build a good collection of various prints, patterns and textures of socks, all your skirts and dresses can be chosen accordingly, also making it easier to choose. With respect to boots, wearing a solid shirt dress or any other solid outfit wouldn’t be as ‘blah’ with a thigh-high pair… especially if it’s neon or hot pink, amirite?
Retro Tees
No one does retro chic like Korean women. Sure, they pull off the ‘sophisticated’ and ‘ultra-feminine’ looks like pros but what the Korean fashion trend we love just as much is the vintage style t-shirt style. When it comes to t-shirts, retro could mean various elements or details – one style could be vintage graphics, fonts, logos and photos; the other could refer to colour combinations, patterns and prints. These tees make for the perfect way to jazz up a regular day to day OOTD, don’t they? Tuck one into a cool denim skirt or layer one with a denim jacket – a retro t-shirt collection goes a long way
Effortless Femininity
Image source: Instagram
ICYMI, Korean women are known to have an effortless feminine vibe to their outfits. This Korean fashion trend might not be as apparent but we’ve cracked the code. To never look like you put too much effort into a girly look or seem like you “tried too hard” there are styling techniques to take note of. For instance, adding a floral shirt to a casual ensemble with ballet flats or kitten heeled mules seems effortless as compared to wearing a dress with pumps… Similarly, adding a silk scarf and wearing basics with details such as ruffles, embellishment and pleats instantly dresses up an outfit too.
Kitschy Sportswear
If you thought athleisure was a thing in India, you have no idea how big it is a fashion trend in South Korea. And it isn’t just sportswear that Korean women love to rock, it is sportswear that is so OTT, you’d need a while to take it in. A different kind of street style, the Korean version of sportswear is all about kitschy colours, oversized silhouettes and nostalgia-inducing patterns. From neons to giant stripes, there are so many details to choose from.
Hats
Image source: Instagram
This Korean fashion trend cannot be missed, whether you’re scrolling through street style pictures or a K-drama. Don’t you wish we could wear hats all the time in India too? Apparently, the weather in South Korea is all for hats. The kind of hats that are most on-trend at the moment are berets – all types of them. Whether they’re textured, embellished, embroidered or made with velvet, berets are a favourite and it’s obvious why. They’re chic, very international and they’re easy to pull off. That’s not the only style of headgear you’d see around, though. Also on the hat wishlist is the baseball cap, Pageboy cap and the big beach hat… and we’re going to build each kind into our wardrobes as soon as possible, we suggest you do too.
Knits and Textured Pullovers
Trust this Korean fashion trend to mix it up during wintertime. Korean women are often seen sporting chunky knits and uniquely textured sweaters and pullovers in the cold and we can see why. Adopting this trend can help you achieve a statement-making look without going overboard and layer to your heart’s content with a bright coat or bold jewellery. We love oversized pullovers, whether they’re huge cable knits or textured – try to add some of these to your closet and team one up with either leggings or a pleated midi skirt and ankle boots. Perfect!
Novelty & Statement Bags
Image source: Instagram
Korean women have a way with accessories and it shows. Everything from their novelty shoes to jewellery to bags. Especially bags! From interesting colour combinations that catch one’s eye to shapes inspired by food and drink, the kinds of novelty bags the fashion girls of Korea invest in are diverse and endless. This Korean fashion trend is by far the easiest to pull off, no matter how bold your clothing choice is. If you’re a minimalist, pair your novelty bag with a white tee and blue jeans – failproof as always. Maximalists, be careful with the number of details you push into one outfit. You don’t want to end up a hot mess, do you?
Long Skirts
Who doesn’t love to look like a boss woman AND super sexy? The Korean fashion trend that brings both together in one piece of clothing – long skirts. Rather than just mini skirts, you’ll see the street full with women rocking all kinds of longer skirts – tea length, midis and ankle-grazing. From flared styles to pencil skirts and those with front slits, there is nothing you won’t find in a Korean fashion girl’s closet. To mix it up even further, you could also play with texture by including materials such as PU, vinyl, leather, silk, linen and suede in your wardrobe. Pair with oversized tops/ shirts, slouchy ankle boots and layer with an overcoat for the winter. For summertime, half-tuck your button-down into your long skirt and dress it up with a bright, big-buckled belt to make a statement.
Layering
Image source: Instagram
Want to know how to layer without looking like a clothes rack? Do it as the Korean women do. Be smart about how to layer – keep in mind the temperature, unique colour combinations, patterns, prints, lengths and textures. There are ways to layer up an outfit with more than the regular 2-3 items of clothing and if you need inspiration, it’s right here.
In the summertime, learn to layer with pinafore, cami and strapless dresses without having to sweat throughout the day. This Korean fashion trend is one of the most fun looks to pull off as there are so many ways you can make a statement by layering.
Korean Brands To Shop From
Now that you know about all the Korean trends and Korean styling tips, you need to start shopping! Check out brands that help you achieve the looks rocked by your favourite K-pop and K-drama celebrities! Here are the top 6 brands to shop from:
Style Nanda
Launched in 2004 as a blog shop, StyleNanda is now popular worldwide. The brand is famous for its quirky pool cafe in Seoul and is also known for its affordably priced yet on-trend designs.
Kye
Started by Korean-American Hanhee Kye in 2011 after she graduated from Central Saint Martins with a masters in Menswear design, this casual wear brand has been described as “fun, a bit rude… unisex, but focused on women”. The designer behind Kye, has worked on collaborative projects with well-known brands such as Adidas, Shu Uemura etc.
Hyein Seo
An alumnus of the esteemed Royal Academy Of Fine Arts, Korean designer Hyein Seo has an interesting and very trendy aesthetic. The brand retails edgy, grunge-style sporty clothing.
Tibaeg
The contemporary brand’s philosophy is to spread joy via fashion. Their use of vibrant, colourful graphics is what Tibaeg is known for. The term is derived from the concept of a teabag, which infuses its flavours into the water as the brand infuses its colours within you.
Tell The Truth
This brand’s stylish basics are worn by Korea’s top celebs such as Suzy Bae and Kong Hyo Jin and so, it must be on your list of Korean brands to buy. The designer behind the brand, Kim Sung-Eun started Tell The Truth with the aim of providing elevated pieces one can wear for a long time.
SJYP
Love edgy denim and effortless streetwear? SJYP is the brand for you. No one does it like Korean couple, Steve Jung and his wife, Yoni Pal, both of whom graduated from Central Saint Martins in the UK.
Korean Online Shopping Fashion Websites
In addition to Korean brands to shop from, we’ve prepared a cheat sheet of Korean online stores which deliver to India. This way, you can add your favourite Korean Fashion Trends to your closet with just a click.
The Hallyu
Known for: Vintage style dresses, basics, accessories, outerwear
Kooding
Known for: Footwear and swimwear
Only URS
Known for: Dresses, outerwear, accessories
Style Nanda
Known for: Dresses, Tops, Bags, Shoes
Hi Korean Fashion
Known for: hoodies and coats, K-pop merchandise
Yes Style
Known for: Jewellery, bags, other accessories
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