Korean Fashion Style Guide 2023 | 16 HOTTEST Outfit Ideas and Style Tips
If I had to pick one country that does modern fashion the best, it’s got to be South Korea. That’s why I’ve got this Korean fashion style guide for you with all the latest styles.
It isn’t just Korean skincare that’s become popular throughout the world. Korean fashion is making waves in the west.
Now everyone wants to dress like their favorite K-drama star or K-pop idol!
So I’m here with this Korean fashion style guide to tell you what latest outfits and accessories are the trend this season.
I think Korean fashion is so popular as there’s something for all styles and aesthetic preferences.
If you like dressing on the more conservative side, there are long jackets and layered clothing.
For more casual lovers, you’ve got pleated skirts, short crop tops, and those comfy oversized hoodies.
Some of the Korean fashions take a cue from past punk rock influences and combine them with a modern street style aesthetic to give you combat boots, wide-leg pants, colorful prints, and more.
Korean Fashion Style Guide 2023
"Asia is the fastest-growing consumer market for major brands especially in luxury, athleisure and street fashion. Luxury brands have been quick to target Asian customers, featuring South Korean global superstars across many brand campaigns…Celine roped in #LISA of Blackpink(+) pic.twitter.com/CTWPGyU9Px
— Lilies Home (@LiliesHome_) March 31, 2022
Oversized Hoodies and Sweatshirts
Oh, this has got to be one of my favorite Korean fashion trends! It’s just so comfy.
The oversized hoodie trend is all over Instagram. Even western celebrities like Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez have been seen rocking this style.
This style is also really easy to put together. Step one, steal the hoodie from your oppa!
Just kidding. Just kidding. You can choose a hoodie in larger sizes than yours and pair them with anything from jeans to pleated skirts and bicycle shorts.
This way you can even make your oversize hoodie outfit weather appropriate.
I like going for the oversized hoodies in funky prints like this one from amazon.com shown below.
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Pleated Tennis Skirts
If you’re looking for something cheeky and cute, this is the perfect Korean outfit for you. It’s also the pinnacle of Korean summer fashion in 2021.
You can a lot of K-pop stars like Jenny and Lisa wearing the colorful pleated skirt look.
Also, pop stars like Olivia Rodrigo have also been spotted wearing pleated tennis skirts.
I like selecting pleated tennis skirts in pastel shades as they look super feminine.
You can pair these skirts with an oversized sweater or cardigan for a “soft girl” look.
Or you can try adding a graphic tee and combat boots for a more edgy style.
This is one of the outfits in my Korean fashion style guide that is perfect for teenagers. Just beware of the dress code!
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Masks
Sigh. With the times we are in, this is an important entry to my Korean fashion style guide.
But aren’t face masks purely functional? No way! They can be a cool style statement too.
And no we aren’t just talking about the funky printed and embroidered cloth masks.
If you’re opting for the N-95 masks, you can still make them into a fashion accessory.
Go for bold, neutral colors, especially if you’re wearing something in a similar shade.
Masks can be that perfect accessory that ties your monochrome outfits together.
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Long Jackets For Fall and Winter
The trend for wearing these long jackets actually started due to the protagonists of several Korean dramas donning similar outerwear.
And this style is right in time for fall too!
If you want to incorporate this style into your wardrobe, invest in a quality long jacket or blazer.
I would suggest going for neutral colors like grey, black, grey, or beige. Also, this style looks much better if you go for a jacket that’s a size bigger rather than one that’s fitting.
These jackets can also come with a fleece collar. You can select something in this style if you want something warmer for winter.
This is a very comfortable style and as the kids say has a “Dark Academia” vibe to it.
These long blazers and jackets look good over jeans, slacks, and even short dresses. They’re very versatile that way!
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Bright Florals For Spring and Summer
The Dark Academia, monochrome look isn’t to everyone’s taste! And if you’re one such person, you might like this bright flowery style much better.
If the previous entry in this Korean fashion style guide was the perfect winter-fall look, these florals are more apt for spring or summer.
The style involves wearing pieces (tops, dresses, or maybe even cardigans) in bright colors or pastel shades.
Often these also have floral prints or embroidery on them.
You can pair these floral tops or cardigans with jeans or the pleated tennis skirts from above.
If you want to try this style for winter, you can pair these bright floral tops and sweaters with light-colored long jackets and leggings.
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K-Drama Inspired Clothing
If you’re wondering where I’m getting most of the looks for this Korean fashion style guide, let me tell you that K-dramas are a huge inspiration.
These shows have sparked a lot of fashion trends in Korea that have rippled across continents to the US as well.
Just take the tracksuits from the superhit Netflix Korean drama Squid Game.
This green athleisure wear is now a fashion trend. A bit morbid given the premise of the show, but kind of understandable!
Another K-drama that sparked a viral trend is the fedora and black suit style worn by the Grim Reaper character in the romantic comedy drama Goblin.
The long jackets and turtlenecks combo of the titular character is also very popular in South Korea.
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Kpop-Inspired Outfits
Kpop celebrities have been trendsetters in recent years.
The fashion style guide for a male has involved a lot of androgynous looks mostly adopted by BTS members like Jin and Jungkook.
For the girls too pop groups like BlackPink and Red Velvet become fashion icons.
You can find a lot of styles like colorful outfits, metallics, leather jackets, boots, etc. that can trace their resurgence in popularity to Kpop stars.
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Button Up Dresses
The thing about button-up dresses is that they can be as casual or as sophisticated as you’d like.
I like button-up dresses in solid colors and prints both. I feel the printed ones are better for a more laid-back, summer look, while solid, earthy shades set the tone for fall.
Also, if you want to make these dresses winter-appropriate or more modest, you can layer them with a t-shirt or a turtleneck underneath.
Layering your clothes is another neat trick I’m going to talk about in this Korean fashion style guide.
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Ankle-Length Pants
Ankle-length pants are all the rage in Korea right now. These are a suitable alternative to the wide-legged, baggy trousers that have replaced skinny jeans right now.
You can experiment with different fabrics when it comes to these pants. So denim isn’t the only option. Try colorful chinos, corduroy trousers for the vintage look, and other styles.
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Chunky Military-style Boots
This rebellious style is a far cry from the high-heeled looks of last decade. The chunky shoe is the way to go in 2021.
You can choose from chunky, monotone sneakers or go for the more popular Doc Marten, punk-girl type of shoes.
There are several variations of this style you can choose. There’s the sporty chunky sneaker, the ankle-length combat boots style, and
The thing about this footwear style is that you can wear them on dresses, skirts, baggy pants, and various other outfits. It’s very versatile!
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Tops With Puff Sleeves
I love this puff sleeve style as it’s so sweet and feminine. These tops with puff sleeves are best with jeans or a tennis skirt.
There are also puff-sleeve dresses that you can try.
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Seoul Street Style
The Korean street style is basically what all the cool kids are wearing in Gangnam or Hongdae street.
This includes baggy trousers, berets, loose colorful jackets, and leather boots.
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Layered Clothes
If you’re hesitant to wear some outfits in this Korean fashion style guide as they are not modest enough, you can try the layering trend.
Layering your clothes by adding a sweater or turtleneck beneath your dresses or crop tops instead of wearing a jacket on top is another new Korean fashion trend.
Tips on how to dress like a Korean girl
To dress like a Korean girl, you can take inspiration from Korean fashion trends and styles. Here are five tips to help you achieve a Korean-inspired look:
- Embrace feminine and cute styles: Korean fashion often leans towards feminine and cute aesthetics. Opt for pieces with ruffles, bows, floral prints, or pastel colors. Incorporate cute accessories like hair clips, headbands, or delicate jewelry to enhance the overall look.
- Mix and match different textures: Korean fashion embraces the art of mixing textures to create visually interesting outfits. Combine soft fabrics like chiffon or lace with structured pieces like denim or leather. Experiment with layering, such as wearing a loose blouse over a fitted dress or pairing a chunky sweater with a pleated skirt.
- Focus on oversized and relaxed silhouettes: Korean fashion frequently incorporates oversized and relaxed silhouettes for a comfortable yet stylish look. Consider wearing oversized sweaters, wide-leg pants, or flowy dresses. Balancing oversized pieces with more fitted items creates a well-proportioned outfit.
- Pay attention to details and accessorize: Korean fashion often emphasizes attention to detail. Look for clothing items with unique features like ruffled sleeves, decorative buttons, or intricate embroidery. Accessorize with statement bags, patterned socks, and stylish footwear like platform sneakers or ankle boots.
- Follow current Korean fashion trends: Stay updated on the latest Korean fashion trends to capture the essence of the style. Follow Korean fashion influencers, browse fashion magazines, or explore online Korean fashion stores to get inspiration and ideas for your outfits. Some current trends include oversized blazers, pleated skirts, oversized collars, and layered tops.
Remember, fashion is a form of self-expression, so feel free to adapt these tips to your personal style and preferences. Experiment, have fun, and create unique outfits that reflect your own personality.
So you there have it, folks! From soft, oversized sweaters to fishnet stockings with pleated skirts, the Korean style inspo features all kinds of looks to wear in your OOTD.
I hope with this Korean fashion style guide, I’ve given you ideas to update your wardrobe.
What I like about Korean fashion is that these outfits suit most people. You can choose between more glamorous outfits or go casual.
It’s also easy to get more modest versions of Korean clothing.
Also, the popularity of Kpop and K-dramas means these Korean styles are now trending everywhere!
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