Are you a fashion lover? If so, you’re probably obsessed with Korean fashion! We all know the Korean wave is impacting the whole world’s cultural habits and also its fashion trends, but how did Kfashion become so internationally loved? When did Koreans start developing their amazingly unique fashion sense? Let’s analyse the evolution of Korean fashion!
The Hanbok
We have published multiple articles on our blog about the Korean Hanbok. As you know, the Hanbok’s general shape has remained the same for almost 5 000 years. However, they sometimes could be white and simple, sometimescolorful with complex embroidery and textile layering. Hanboks have helped Koreans deal with the intense winter weather the country carries every single year. The Hanbok is composed of a blouse called a jeongi and a skirt or pants depending on the wearer’s gender. This outfit has become a true symbol of Korean culture. That’s the case for locals but also for foreigners who often get to see them in historical kdramas. Koreans still wear the Hanbok to this day on certain occasions.
The late 19th century and beginning to the 20th century were a moment of transition between traditional Korean clothing and the adoption of Western fashion elements through the Japanese. Indeed, during this period, Japan held a political influence on Korea. That went through a military treaty and then a repressive occupation of the territory. At this time, Japan’s fashion trends were already heavily influenced by Western ones since the arrival of Americans on the territory in 1868. The occupation then forced what is often called modernisation upon Koreans.Koreans then started wearing suits, western-style dresses and hairstyles.
This progressive change towards a westernised way of living is also visible in Korean lifestyle. More jobs were given to women for instance. During this era and all throughout the two World wars, South Koreans still wore hanboks but to a smaller extent.
The occupation of the American military forces in South Korea since the liberation of the country and the defeat of Japan by the Allies has reinforced the fashion influences and officially marked the start of the Korean fashion industry as a whole with the opening of big markets dedicated to clothes and makeup. The following decades marked the arrival of miniskirts and fashion subcultures pushed by the will to break norms in a context of political conservatism.
The rise of Kfashion
Since the 1980’s, what has made Korean fashion particularly special is its mix of cultural influences. While being in South Korea, I’ve noticed a gap between what foreigners think Koreans wear on a daily basis versus what they actually tend to wear. Kpop in particular gives the impression to some that colorful and complex clothes as well as hair were a norm here when it is actually quite the contrary. Kpop aesthetics are widely restrained to Kpop as a vast majority of Koreans wear more neutral colours and casual wear.
However, this doesn’t mean Korean fashion is of no interest. Indeed, walking through the streets of Hongdae or Gangnam is a great way to notice the particularities of fashion trends here. You’ll find clothes and cuts that aren’t as popular in other parts of the world. In other countries, people view Korean fashion as a unique thing, and a lot of foreigners who come to South Korea shop for new clothes. Kpop and Kdrama serve as a window to show the world what South Korea has to offer fashion-wise. Seoul is on the road to be on the same page as Paris or Rome. It even holds its own fashion week since the 2000s, with famous designers taking the role of Korean fashion ambassadors.
Thank you for reading and see you next time! –Selen
"The South Korean fashion of today began in the late 1800s with an intertwining of western influences. Before that point, during the Joseon period (1392-1897), the Korean hanbok
hanbok
The hanbok (Korean: 한복; Hanja: 韓服; lit. Korean dress) is a traditional clothing of the Korean people. The term hanbok is primarily used by South Koreans; North Koreans refer to the clothes as chosŏn-ot (조선옷, lit. 'Korean clothes'). The clothes are also worn in the Korean diaspora, especially by Koreans in China.
Korea's traditional clothing, hanbok, has maintained its basic traditional features throughout Korea's 5,000-year history while its styles and forms have evolved in various ways based on the lifestyle, social conditions, and aesthetic taste of the times.
K-pop fashion often features a mix of Western and Asian styles, creating a unique aesthetics that appeals to a diverse international audience. This generates a cycle of cultural exchange, where elements of South Korean culture are adopted globally, while global influences are also incorporated into K-pop fashion.
This summer in South Korea, fashion enthusiasts are embracing a nostalgic blast from the past with the revival of Y2K tops. These early 2000s-inspired garments, characterized by vibrant colors, unique patterns, and playful details, are taking the South Korean fashion scene by storm.
During the Three Kingdom period (57 BC – 668 AD), hanbok consisted of an upper garment called a jeogori (a jacket-like top that wrapped closed at the front), and lower garments named baji (trousers, usually worn by men) and chima (long skirt, usually worn by women).
Hanbok refers to traditional Korean attire. Koreans in the past used cloth, silk, hemp, ramie, and other materials to make clothes tailored to the distinct four seasons of the Korean Peninsula.
While major fashion cities like Paris, Milan, and New York have long been synonymous with high-end fashion, there are a number of other cities making their mark on the global fashion scene. One such city is Seoul, South Korea, which has quickly become a hub for cutting-edge street style and innovative designs.
South Korea has for almost a millennium been significantly influenced by China as well as by various neighboring Asian countries to a lesser extent. In recent years, there has been some influence by the Western world, mostly in food.
'Korean-style' refers to the unique fashion and design aesthetic that is popular in South Korea. It encompasses a wide range of styles from traditional to modern, and is heavily influenced by Korean culture and trends.
The hanbok is a form of traditional Korean dress with basic structural features that have remained unchanged for centuries: a closely-fitted jacket (jeogori), trousers (baji) and a bell-like skirt (chima) in vivid colours that usually chime with the five elements of ancient Korean colour theory, (Obangseak): a yin-and- ...
The term “K-fashion” was coined in relation to these styles. Because of the existence of places like Dongdaemun, K-brands that were already more accessible started to gain prominence. The Korean culture wave (Hallyu) is undeniably one of the main reasons for Korean fashion's meteoric popularity.
For women, traditional hanbok consist of the jeogori (top) and the chima (skirt). The ensemble is often known as 'chima jeogori'. For men, hanbok consist of jeogori and loose-fitting baji (trousers). There are also a variety of vests, jackets and coats on top of this ensemble.
Women should leave low-cut shirts at home but should feel comfortable showing as much leg as they like. Men's shorts should be hemmed above the knee and end at their fingertips. It's also a good idea to bring a shawl or light jacket to cover your shoulders if you're wearing a sleeveless top.
These are the main themes of Korean culture that embody Korean spirit. South Korea has a culture of deep spiritual beliefs. Of nearly fifty million people, twelve million are Christian; an equal number are Buddhist. Beneath this, most Koreans are influenced by Shamanism and Confucian philosophy.
Fourthly, Koreans spend a lot of time indoors, particularly during the winter months when heating is prevalent, so loose-fitting clothes are preferred for social activities to avoid discomfort. Finally, to cater to changing preferences, Korean clothing has begun to feature smaller sizing.
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