Korean Fashion Trends We Can Wear In The PH

The Hallyu wave is real. Everyone and their moms have watched popular K-dramas like CLOY, K-pop finds a considerably large portion of fans right here in the country, and plenty of foodies have incorporated samgyeopsal and ramyeon into their regular diets. 

But it’s trickier with fashion. The streets of Seoul are like a Fashion Week runway—almost everyone you cross paths with is most likely decked in Insta-friendly, cop-worthy outfits. But there’s also weather and price tags to consider.

The good news is, while their sense of style relies specifically on the occasion and location, there are certain trends we can duplicate right here in the PH. All we need to do is look to our favorite Korean stars for inspo.

Layering strappy tops over shirts

It might seem like a weird concept to layer garments in the Philippines, what with our eternally humid weather conditions, but the K-style way of doing it might just work in our favor. Fashion-forward Korean stars, from K-pop idols like Seulgi of Red Velvet to K-drama actresses like Bae Suzy, strategically layer thin garments under strappy pieces to avoid looking bulky. Put on a strappy dress or a strappy top over a shirt or a button-down made from thin fabrics and you’ve got a layering situation that’s as PH weather-friendly as it could get.

Wide-legged pants

If there is one trend that’s popular in Korean fashion, it would probably be that they are into baggy and roomy garments, which applies to bottoms as well. Pants with a high waist and a baggy leg room are a standard piece of clothing in majority of Korean stars. Members of girl groups like Wonder Girls and 2NE1 are particularly fond of it—it’s a welcome change from the often flashy and fancy stage outfits they wear when performing. They would style it often with cropped tops to complement the cinched waistline and balance out the loose fit of the pants.

Long shorts

You can say that majority of Korean fashion trends tend to be conservative, but they won’t shy away from trying out a cool clothing item when they see one. Shorts aren’t exactly the most conservative piece, but Korean stars have their workaround to make it less daunting—by wearing them at longer lengths. Former girl group members turned solo artists like Somi and Sunmi carry the piece with casual confidence that it makes you want to sport the trend, too.

Unbuttoned tops

The fact that the streets of Seoul are never without a stylish passerby dressed in an interesting outfit is a testament to how innovative Korean fashion trends are. They especially seem to have a knack for reinventing the way they wear normal everyday pieces. Case in point: Tops that are not buttoned all the way through. It all started when Blackpink’s Jennie Kim, a Chanel muse and style maven in her own right, began wearing her button-down tops unbuttoned at the bottom, and everyone else followed suit. This styling trick is definitely doable and welcome in the Philippine heat.

Off-the-shoulder jackets

As previously mentioned, K-fashion has its way of wearing basic items in a different, more refreshing approach. Jackets are normally reserved for air-conditioned rooms and –Ber months when you’re here in the Philippines, but this Korean fashion trend might just work in our favor. Transforming jackets in thin fabrics into an off-the-shoulder piece gives the clothing item a more reasonable cost-per-wear value. How do you restyle those barely worn jackets to make them PH-friendly? Leave one or two of the top buttons undone so you can push the lapels upward and make an off-shoulder neckline.

Multiple piercings

Layering on necklaces is another popular Korean fashion trend which many stars tend to embrace for an added flair. While it would pass as a wearable trend here in the country, it isn’t always the most heat-friendly accessory trick. A few hours after sporting multiple chains and your perspiring skin might start to feel uncomfortable. Another K-fashion way of sporting accessories that’s warm weather appropriate is donning multiple earrings. It’s undoubtedly popular among K-pop idols—event male idols wear a lot of earrings. Get as creative as you can with curating your piercings and take inspo from these stylish Korean celebs.

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