The Korean fashion industry has gained remarkable popularity worldwide due to social media practices in recent years. However, Korea’s developing economy, wealth, and western fashion trends have made a lot of evolutions in its fashion. But South Korean fashion is actually part of Korean culture. Due to a uniquely expressive and reflective style, South Korean fashion has positively impacted worldwide fashion trends. In the leading Korean city, Seoul, fashion weeks are organized twice a year.
In this post, you’ll discover the general info about Korean fashion, what K-fashion or Korean style is, Korean kids fashion and the causes of its popularity in the world.
Let’s jump in and explore more about Korean fashion.
What Is Korean Fashion Called?
Most fashion enthusiasts have a common query about what is Korean fashion called? Let’s answer: most people consider “hanbok” -a traditional Korean dress, a symbol of Korean fashion. Korean people wear this attire on special occasions. The basic traditional features of hanbok have been maintained as they were in the past. But with the aesthetic taste of times and changing social conditions, several hanbok styles are now a part of Korean fashion.
History reveals that ancient Korean people liked to dress up in white. By doing so, they reflected their serenity among neighbors and were called “the white-clad people.” However, the current Korean fashion trends are all about diversity. Now, you’ll notice a modern touch in hanbok styles, which is not only popular in Korea but also worldwide.
What Is Korean Street Fashion Called?
Youth worldwide, impressed by “K-Pop” and “K-Idol styles,” are curious to know what Korean Street Fashion is called. So, basically, there’s no specific name for Korean street style fashion. But, commonly, it includes a relaxed, youthful style blended with hip hop and rock aesthetics.
If you walk through Korean streets, you’ll notice youth, especially teen males, wearing baggy tops with shorts or relaxed-fit pants. In short, it is versatile, elegant, and comfortable unisex clothing that attracts youth worldwide. Girls prefer ribbed shirts and dresses with leather jackets and pair them with skirts, trousers, or jeans. In addition, they love to wear color contrasts instead of sticking to a single color.
Why Is Korean Fashion So Popular?
You might have seen Korean designers worldwide, so why is Korean fashion so popular? With the increased popularity of the Korean wave, including K-dramas, K-movies, K-pop bands, the Korean clothing style has become a trend worldwide.
Most Korean dramas depict styling ornaments, such as gat- a traditional Korean hat and unique and attractive hanbok styles. Besides K-wave, the creativity of Korean dress designers makes them famous all over the world. The way they use to blend Asian and Western trends is impressive. Ulzzang trend is an example of their remarkable efforts in the designing industry.
What Kinds Of Clothes Do People Wear In Korea?
People in Korea follow different fashion trends. However, most follow street style fashion in which young boys wear oversized baggy shirts and pair them with relaxed-fit pants or shorts.
On the other hand, girls prefer dresses, off-shoulder, cold shoulder tops, ribbed shirts, leather jackets paired with jeans, trousers, and skirts. One common thing in Korean street style fashion is that Korean women like to wear oversized clothing to hide their body structure.
South Korean Fashion Trends
Some of the South Korean fashion trends of both men and women are discussed below. So, have a look.
South Korean Street Style Trends for Men
Baggy Slacks: Korean men like to wear wide-legged slacks in summer. For a smarter look, they pair them with plaid South Korean Jackets and t-shirts.
Baggy Hoodies: Baggy zipped, and pullover hoodies are the best options to layer in minimal clothes. Korean men pair them with tight-fitting jeans.
South Korean Street Style Trends For Women
Baggy Jeans: Anything oversized is always a trend in South Korea. Girls style with baggy jeans and pair them with turtle necks and fitted blouses.
Flattering cropped tops: These tops are a trend in South Korea. Women wear flattering baggy or fitted cropped tops to achieve a stylish look.
Baggy Sweatshirts: Korean fashion designers have made either v-shaped or ripped baggy sweatshirts a symbol of glamor and style. Korean women pair them with pleated skirts, tight-fitted jeans, or slacks. Moreover, they tuck the shirt neatly to achieve a smart look.
What Kinds Of Clothes Do Kids Wear In Korea?
Most kids in Korea wear sporty and loose clothes for them to be comfortable to move around.
Also many kids love cartoons and characters. Even if the parents don’t like to dress their kids cartoon clothes, eventually children wear what they like. Children from 3-6 years mostly wear a lot of leggings and Girls from 7-10 most likely to wear dresses. Boys from 7-10 mostly wear sweatshirts and comfortable pants.It’s either very cute and princess style or casual and active style.
Final Thoughts
If you are obsessed with Korean Fashion and want to know what Korean fashion is called, you will be satisfied now. No doubt, the Korean style is unique, elegant, and comfortable. Whenever a celebrity exhibits a new clothing trend on the screen, it soon gains popularity and becomes a part of Korean street style fashion.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in fashion, particularly South Korean fashion, I've been actively engaged in following trends, studying the evolution of Korean fashion, and understanding its cultural underpinnings. My insights are substantiated through firsthand experiences, continuous research, and engagement with Korean fashion communities, both online and offline.
The Korean fashion industry has undeniably surged in popularity globally, largely propelled by the influence of social media and the widespread appreciation of Korean culture. The evolution of South Korean fashion is not solely attributed to the country's economic development or the assimilation of Western trends, but rather, it's deeply rooted in Korean culture, characterized by its unique, expressive, and reflective style.
Seoul, being a leading city in the fashion world, hosts biannual fashion weeks, showcasing the innovative and diverse trends that characterize Korean fashion. The essence of Korean fashion extends beyond the traditional hanbok attire. While hanbok remains a symbol of Korean heritage and is preserved in its basic traditional form for special occasions, modern adaptations of hanbok have become integral to contemporary Korean fashion, reflecting the aesthetic tastes of the times and the changing social landscape.
Korean street fashion, often associated with the influence of K-Pop and K-Idol styles, embodies a relaxed yet stylish demeanor, blending elements of hip hop and rock aesthetics. The versatility and comfort inherent in Korean street fashion attract a global youth audience. It features a mix of baggy tops and relaxed-fit pants for males, while females prefer ribbed shirts, dresses paired with leather jackets, and a penchant for vibrant color contrasts.
The popularity of Korean fashion can be attributed to the global rise of the "Korean wave" encompassing K-dramas, K-movies, and K-pop. These cultural exports have significantly contributed to the dissemination of Korean clothing styles worldwide. Moreover, the creative prowess of Korean designers, their fusion of Asian and Western trends, and notable efforts like the Ulzzang trend have propelled Korean fashion onto the global stage.
In terms of attire, Korean fashion trends exhibit a preference for oversized clothing among women to achieve a particular aesthetic. Men often opt for wide-legged slacks or baggy hoodies, while women favor baggy jeans, cropped tops, and stylish baggy sweatshirts, often paired with various bottoms to create distinct looks.
When it comes to Korean kids' fashion, comfort plays a pivotal role. Children typically sport sporty, loose-fitting clothes, with a strong affinity for cartoon characters and playful designs. There's a distinct style preference based on age groups, with younger kids gravitating towards leggings and dresses, while older ones lean towards sweatshirts and casual yet stylish outfits.
In conclusion, Korean fashion encapsulates a blend of elegance, comfort, and distinctiveness. Its influence is pervasive, with trends emerging from celebrities and swiftly becoming integral parts of Korean street fashion, making it a dynamic and evolving force in the global fashion landscape.
