There's something special about Korean fashion and apparel.
It's hard to put a finger on it, but once you see it, you can't help but find yourself being drawn in. Koreans have a unique way of seeing the world and expressing themselves through clothing that's simply unparalleled anywhere else in the world.
In this extensive guide, we'll explore the fascinating history and culture behind Korean fashion and apparel. We'll be looking at why Koreans value fashion so highly and find it so important in their lives and showcasing some of the different styles available.
We'll even share some tips on how to get involved with the style yourself.
When you're ready, let's jump right in.
What's the history of Korean fashion and apparel?
Korea has always been a fashion-forward country.
In fact, one of the first recorded instances of fashion in Korea can be dated back to the Three Kingdoms Period (18 BCE – 660 CE). During this time, hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, began to take shape.
Hanbok is characterized by its simple and elegant lines, as well as its bright and vibrant colors.
Hanbok was designed to be comfortable and practical, but it also served an important role in expressing the wearer's social status. Commoners would wear more subdued colors and simpler designs, while nobility would flaunt richer colors and more ornate hanbok.
During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), hanbok underwent a significant transformation.
The Joseon government strongly emphasized conservatism, which was reflected in the clothing of the time. Hanbok became more subdued, with colors like gray, black, and brown becoming more common. Designs also became more complex, with layers and intricate details becoming the norm.
It was in the late 19th century that Western fashion began to influence Korea.
During the Joseon Dynasty, Korea had been isolated from the rest of the world, but this changed when Japan was forced to open its ports to foreign trade in 1853. For the first time, Koreans were exposed to Western fashion and quickly began to incorporate elements of it into their own style.
Korea continued to be influenced by Western fashion during the Japanese colonial period (1910-1945). During this time, a more "modern" look began to emerge, with shorter skirts and trousers becoming popular.
However, traditional hanbok also continued to be worn, albeit in a more simplified form.
After Korea gained independence from Japan in 1919, Western fashion continued to dominate the country. However, there was a growing movement to promote traditional Korean culture and values. This led to a revival of hanbok in the 1960s, which has continued until today.
Fast forward a few decades, and we enter the age of modern Korean fashion.
Of course, the culture is wildly popular, the trends of which are followed all over the world. Korea has successfully merged traditional and modern styles to create a unique fashion sense that it can call its own.
What are some of the most popular Korean fashion and apparel styles?
Korean fashion is constantly evolving, but a few style staples have remained popular over the years.
One of the most iconic and well-known Korean fashion styles is hanbok.
As we mentioned before, hanbok is the traditional Korean dress. It is characterized by its simple and elegant lines, as well as its bright and vibrant colors. Hanbok was designed to be comfortable and practical, but it also served an important role in expressing the wearer's social status.
While hanbok fell out of fashion for a time, it has experienced a revival in recent years. Today, hanbok is often worn for special occasions like weddings or traditional holidays. However, some young people are also beginning to wear hanbok as everyday attire.
The "Ulzzang" Look
Ulzzang is a Korean word that means "best face" or "good-looking."
The ulzzang look is characterized by its natural and effortless beauty. It typically involves minimal makeup, long lashes, and well-groomed eyebrows. This style rose to popularity on social media, with young people sharing pictures of themselves in the Ulzzang style.
Koreans place huge importance on their beauty and fashion standards, and you can look at any aspect of the culture, from entertainment to day-to-day life, to see that this is the case.
This is because Koreans believe that the way you look reflects who you are as a person. As a result, they put a lot of time and effort into their appearance. This is especially true for women, who often wear elaborate makeup and hairstyles.
It's not uncommon to see Korean women spend hours in front of the mirror perfecting their makeup, and they often use various products to achieve the desired look.
The "Gyaru" Style
This Gyaru style is revealing and typically includes short skirts, tight clothing, and heavy makeup. This style is popular among young women, and it is often seen as a way to rebel against traditional Korean values.
There's clearly a Western influence with this style, and it's seen replicated by celebrities like Gwen Stefani, Pamela Anderson, Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears, among others.
This can be seen as the polar opposite of the "ulzzang look," which values natural beauty.
The "Kawaii" style
Another unique and interesting style is Kawaii, characterized by its cute and childlike appearance.
Kawaii fashion is often inspired by Japanese anime and manga characters, like frilly dresses, oversized sweaters, and Hello Kitty accessories. This style is popular among young women, and it's often seen as a way to express their femininity.
However, kawaii fashion is not just for women. In recent years, there has been a growing trend of men dressing in the kawaii style. These are often referred to as "herbivore men" or "grass-eater men," and it is seen as a rejection of traditional masculine values.
The "Dangyunhaji" style
This is a more casual style that's characterized by its comfortable and simple clothing. Dangyunhaji fashion includes items like jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers. This style is popular among young people and is often seen as a way to express their individualism.
How do girls dress in Korea?
There's no one answer to this question, as Korean fashion constantly evolves. However, young women's most popular styles include hanbok, gyaru, and kawaii fashion.
Of course, there are plenty of ways you can go about this. The best way to go about it is to define which kind of style you like the idea of, research some images, and then make a variation of it that you want.
Regardless of your style, some common themes can be seen throughout Korea.
These include:
- Oversized tops: This is one fashion style you'll see girls wearing all over the country. Usually, these are worn with high-waisted jeans, denim shorts, or mini skirts, and the shirt is placed over the top on its own. The top can be left to flow in the wind or tucked in for a varied look.
- Dress-Over-Top: Another popular style is wearing a somewhat loose-fitting top coupled with a dress over the top. This creates what is considered an adorable look by many.
- Mini skirt as the feature: Mini skirts are prevalent throughout female Korean culture, but not in the somewhat provocative way they are in the West. Instead, mini skirts are used for cute, professional, sleek, sexy, or even neutral looks. Usually, the mini skirt is the main feature of the outfit, and its style will be defined by the top or accessories that go with it.
- Bodycon Knitting: Full-body sweater dresses are adored by Koreans. These are similar to playsuits and certainly ooze a more confident look. Knitwear is actually very common throughout Korean fashion, from jumpers to leggings, so give them a go if you want to give your look a Korean twist.
- Knee-high boots: It makes sense that knee-high boots are so prevalent in Korea with the presence of mini skirts. They can be used for a casual or professional look and certainly edge towards women who want to embrace their femininity.
Whatever Korean style you're thinking of adopting, it's always a good idea to look for pictures online for inspiration. Find what you like and what you don't, and you'll be able to start piecing together a look that works for you.
Remember, Korean fashion is mostly straightforward and simple. Koreans generally take the less-is-more approach, where simple choices have a big impact.
Just be sure to research beforehand on what style you want to go for and what type of colors, patterns, etc., complement that style!
How do men dress in Korea?
Korean men have a wide variety of fashion styles that they can choose from. However, some of the most popular styles include dandy, hip-hop, and preppy.
Dandy style is characterized by its well-tailored clothing and sophisticated appearance. European fashion often inspires this style, including suits, dress shirts, and ties. The Dandy style is popular among young men, and it is often seen as a way to express their maturity.
More often than not, dandy styles will be tailored, and special effort is taken across the board to ensure the clothing is well-fitted, so bear this in mind if you're interested in it.
Hip-hop style is characterized by its relaxed and comfortable clothing. This style includes items like baggy jeans, hoodies, and sneakers. Hip-hop style is popular among young people, and it is often seen as a way to express their individuality.
Ripped skinny jeans are also very popular in this vein of fashion and well worth looking into, especially if you can source a fitted coat to suit.
Alternatively, the preppy style is characterized by its clean-cut and polished appearance. This style includes items like button-down shirts, blazers, and dress pants. The preppy style is popular among young men, and it is often seen as a way to express their sophistication.
What is the difference between Korean fashion and American fashion?
There are a few key differences between Korean fashion and American fashion.
First, Korean fashion is often more flashy and revealing than American fashion. Yes, this is quite surprising, especially when you look at modern Western cultures, such as the music scene, festivals, and the entertainment industry.
However, these are exceptions to the rule. Not everyone dresses in mini skirts and hot pants like modern artists in music videos, hence why it's so shocking and draws the attention of the masses, unlike the majority of everyday people.
Not that Koreans present themselves in the same way as Western celebrities, but showing off skin with revealing outfits is commonplace in Korea, so, therefore, it isn't shocking or abnormal.
Even in day-to-day life, such as being a student or in the workplace, you'll find that Koreans often dress in a way that is more flashy and revealing than Americans. For example, it's not uncommon to see Korean women wear short skirts, slip dresses, tight clothing, mini skirts, and high heels on a daily basis.
In contrast, American fashion is often more conservative. This is especially true in the workplace, where you'll find that American women often dress in business casual attire, such as slacks and a button-down shirt.
However, the Korean look is necessarily for provocative reasons, but rather just a way of expressing the sense of self and personality.
This leads us to the following key difference; the people of each culture express their individualism differently through their fashion choices.
In Korea, you'll find that people often dress in a way that expresses their unique individuality. For example, it's not uncommon to see people with brightly colored hair, unique hairstyles, and daring fashion choices.
Some individuals may be sleek, professional, and modern, whereas others may wear baggy, dark, and highly informal clothes. It's not so much the style but rather a representation of the person.
Whereas over here in the Western world, we like to think our fashion styles speak about who we are within, the truth is that American fashion is often more subdued and runs to the trends of fast fashion.
This is because Americans tend to value conformity over individualism. As a result, you'll find that American fashion is often more similar from person to person.
How do I dress like a Korean person?
If you're interested in dressing like a Korean person, you can take a few steps to make sure you hit the mark with your outfit and your makeup.
First, define the kind of style you want to embrace.
Are you looking to go for a more traditional Korean style, or are you interested in something more modern? Once you've decided on the type of style you want to achieve, do your research and start planning your wardrobe.
Next, it's time to start shopping!
Head to your nearest Korean fashion store, or order Korean fashion items online. Be sure to pay attention to the sizing, as Korean sizes are often smaller than American sizes.
Finally, don't forget your makeup!
Korean women are known for their flawless skin, so be sure to invest in a good skincare routine. In addition, Korean women often wear bright and bold lipstick colors, so don't be afraid to experiment with different shades.
We have an extensive culturally curious guide on Korean Beauty and Makeup here on Mandu Market, so go and check it out!
It can certainly feel like a big change to go from your usual style to something as drastic as a Korean fashion line, even when you think it looks amazing and really represents who you are. But with a little research, you can totally make it work for you and your unique sense of style!
That's all from us today. We hope this guide has given you a detailed insight into the world of Korean fashion and apparel. Of course, trends come and go, but the mindset behind Korean fashion tends to stay the same.
If you're looking to start dressing with a Korean twist, then check out the Mandu Market. We stock all kinds of interesting Korean accessories, clothing lines, and apparel designed to help you create an authentic Korean look for an affordable price.
Check out the store today and discover your new favorite outfit!