Every once in a while, some of us admire the impossibly impeccable style of our Korean counterparts.
Beauty looks notwithstanding, they seem just about flawless wherever they are – whether it’s sipping coffee at a cafe, going for a casual walk in the park, or boarding a plane at the airport.
You’ve got to take it from a real Korean OL (office lady).
Hyejin, 28, the creative director and co-founder of Korean online store ME-IN, shares some super-generous K-style tips with herworldPLUS! Ladies, get ready for some serious note-taking!
TIP #1. Try the latest Korean trend: “Romantic chic”!
The latest K-Style trend is all about lace – the more delicate the fabric, the better! | Images: Wesley Kow, Me-In.kr
As Korean women tend to be shorter and more petite than the French, “French chic” doesn’t always have the desired effect (refer to TIP #2). Enter, “romantic chic”: It involves wearing shorter skirts and higher heels to create the illusion of longer legs. The choice of fabric is brighter and more delicate. “The style can be described as a fusion of Western minimalism and the irrepressible ‘cute princess’ lurking inside every Korean woman.”
TIP #2. Embrace the idea of “French chic”
Try pulling off "french chic" only if you get clothes that fit you right
It’s all about minimum effort and maximum sophistication. To emulate this effortlessly-cool style that’s so popular in Korea, go for a white top with well-fitting black bottoms or denim, as illustrated below.
TIP #3. Splurge on quality investment pieces
This one is pretty obvious – but that’s what the Koreans do! Draw the line between an “investment” piece and an “expensive” dress. It’s all about the quality and the cut. “Like a reliable suit for men, the right dress can be accessorised in a variety of ways,” says Hyejin. Don’t be afraid to splurge on a well-tailored dress made of a high quality fabric – it’s an investment piece you’ll want to wear for years to come.
A greyscale palette always works when you want to look professional and polished at the office.
Shop the dress, shoes and earrings at cool-find.me-in.kr
TIP #4. Be brutally honest about your body & save more money than you think
Let’s face it: Not everyone is born looking like a Victoria’s Secret Angel, and it certainly isn’t the paragon of the perfect body. Embracing your body type for what it is saves you from buying unflattering clothes that don’t fit. “Honesty leads to practicality as you choose items that conceal your weak points while bringing out your best features,” says Hyejin. So chuck the thinking that only skinny girls can wear nice things. If you’ve got that one item wallowing at the back of your wardrobe in the hopes that you’d squeeze into it one day, chuck that too.
A peplum skirt adds subtle volume to an otherwise stiff outfit.
Shop the blouse, skirt, shoes and bag at cool-find.me-in.kr
TIP #5. Opt for an elastic fabric when shopping for office clothes
Not only is it bound to feel comfortable, elastic fabric doesn’t crease! Who wouldn’t want an #OOTD that stays crisp and wrinkle-free all day? “Elastic fabric tends to be more comfortable while still giving you that great fitted look,” says Hyejin.
Allow a statement skirt to stand out by pairing it with white accessories.
Shop the blouse, skirt, and shoes at cool-find.me-in.kr
TIP #6. Develop your personal style
Due to Korea’s seasonal climate, Korean women tend to emphasise their personal style rather than rely on fast fads. “The constant state of change creates a vibrant environment in which to ‘practice’ fashion, and could be one reason why Korean ladies are considered well-dressed,” she says. Hmmmm, we have hot and rainy seasons though ... does that count?
TIP #7. Have one main point of emphasis
If you're wearing a skirt as loud as this, keep the accessories to a minimum. Shop the blouse, skirt, shoes, bag, ring and earrings at cool-find.me-in.kr
Plan your outfit around one focal point, whether it’s an attention-grabbing bag or a statement accessory. When wearing a loud dress for instance, Korean women like to play down their accessories to create a visual balance. “It is always better to err on the side of less rather than more,” she says.
Want more K-style tips? Check out this video!
You can shop these Korean pieces at www.cool-find.me-in.kr, or follow them on Instagram @me_in_kr.