To capture Korean fashion trends in 2023, you no longer need to go to Seoul’s streets.
In recent years, South Korean fashion has gone beyond the country’s borders, captivating the world with its unique and innovative styles.
In this article, we’ll uncover the latest Korean fashion trends for women, making waves worldwide in 2023.
Korean Fashion in 2023
The advance in Korean fashion is attributed, in part, to Korean beauty, K-pop celebrities, Korean dramas, music, and TV shows with worldwide appeal.
With Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, and Halsey collaborating with K-pop stars, modern South Korea has greatly influenced global pop culture.
Korean culture, represented by K-pop, Korean beauty, or Korean fashion, is so powerful and far-reaching that there’s a unique term to describe its impact: Hallyu.
Hallyu, or the Korean Wave, cements the East Asian country’s position as a contemporary world power in fashion, beauty, and entertainment.
Most Popular Korean Fashion Trends for Women
Now, let’s delve into the exciting world of Hallyu-influenced styles and the evolution of Korean fashion this year.
Here are 11 must-know trends that are turning heads and inspiring wardrobes across the globe in 2023.
1/11
Off-shoulder Oversized Tops
Korean women love oversized tops.
The oversized tops trend in Korean fashion has a rich history, in the past, associated with conservative fashion.
In the past, fitted clothes that showed women’s body shapes were not considered appropriate.
As a result, styles that exposed the midriff or chest area were rarely found in Korean fashion trends.
As time passed and restrictions in women’s Korean style loosened, the oversized style remained, albeit with slight modifications such as shoulder slits and off-shoulder styles to show a little more skin.
While this particular product is more risqué than what you might find in the streets of Hongdae, it’s catered more towards the trend seen in KPOP fashion which typically is more daring and may show off a little bit more skin.
2/11
Schoolgirl Tennis Skirt
While tennis skirts are not a new trend in Korean fashion, style plays a big part in women’s fashion.
A staple piece in the modern Preppy style, this style of skirt is widely worn during spring and especially summer and is most popular amongst younger women.
A versatile and feminine piece, the tennis skirt is often worn with oversized sweaters or varsity-styled vests over fitted tops.
The schoolgirl tennis skirt trend is also heavily popularized by KPop celebs and influencers.
3/11
Chunky Sneakers
After sock sneakers, chunky shoes are taking over Seoul streets.
Koreans love chunky shoes, ideally from recognized Western sneakers websites.
Asian fashion tends to gravitate towards looking ‘cute, even clumsy’ over ‘sexy.’
Thus, any stylistic element that helps achieve the look is highly desirable.
As a rule of thumb for women’s sneakers, don’t mix chunky sneakers with tennis skirts.
The best way to wear chunky sneakers (in Seoul) is with baggy trousers or flared stylish jeans for women.
4/11
Blazers
In the past, blazers were associated with business and work.
But blazer styling has become a trend that sees the blazer as suitable for everyday wear.
As with most garments – especially tops – Koreans prefer their blazers oversized.
The blazer’s looseness allows any outfit to appear more casual from its shapeless nature but still put together from the intricacy of the piece.
Many Koreans wear blazers over everyday casual streetwear clothes to create a clean and well-put outfit for everyday wear.
5/11
Puff Sleeves
The trend of puff sleeves has come, gone, and returned; after all, fashion is a cycle.
A big current fashion trend in 2023, this popular feminine Korean style is a statement piece of its own, drawing attention to your upper half and letting your top do all the talking.
The sleeve isn’t restricted in length; you’ll see balloon-shaped sleeves as short as shoulder-length or sleeves reaching as long as a quarter sleeve or whole arm.
Sleeves are often cuffed at the end to create the puffy effect – known as the puffed sleeve today.
As oversized clothes are associated with youthfulness in Korean beauty culture, sleeves that reach lengths more extended than the arm are considered trendy in Korean fashion.
6/11
Street Style Face Masks
Wearing a face mask was never a common occurrence in Western fashion.
Health concerns are the only reason face masks have been – reluctantly – adopted over the last two years worldwide.
However, face masks are worn daily as a streetwear fashion in Asia, including Korea.
Korean streetwear face masks are trendy and integrated with the latest streetwear outfits.
7/11
Pink and Green Neon Outfit
In what seems to be a blend of retro-futurism with Y2K fashion, Koreans prefer streetwear outfits with an edge.
Koreans love garments in futuristic colors but with classic cuts, representing the millennium styles.
8/11
Flared Jeans
Relaxed jeans look great with casual women’s sneakers; there’s no doubt about that.
Koreans love wearing both chunky trainers and oversized bottom jeans.
The trousers are best paired with large belts and oversized tops for easy fit and effortless day-to-night looks.
9/11
All-White
Just like the Japanese, Koreans love an excellent minimalist look.
All-black and all-white are colors that Korean celebs recourse to every year to achieve that sophisticated look.
If 2020-2021 was the ‘season’ of all black, 2023 is the season of all-white ensembles but with a twist – ’90s styles this time.
10/11
Classic Tailored Look
No matter how much Seoul culture, streetwear, or K-pop influence Korean fashion, the classic tailored look remains a critical Korean fashion.
The look is inspired by the big-shoulder silhouettes of the 80s fashion, and it signals wealth and status in Korean Culture.
11/11
Cargo Pants
Thanks to Korean hip-hop celebrities, cargo pants became one of the most trending clothes in Korea.
Seen as versatile androgynous style clothing, these pieces of clothing are used on various occasions, whether for lounging or casual streetwear.
Style them with chunky sneakers, a crop top, and baseball caps for a perfect casual-cool look.
Conclusion
As Asian countries continue to make waves with their viral entertainment, celebrity scandals, beauty standards, and fashion trends, Korean fashion has become an important area to explore.
Driven by the influential Korean entertainment industry, with trendsetters like BTS and Blackpink, the impact of Korean fashion transcends the nation’s borders.
Also, as Korea continues to be a leading source for the ‘Next Big Thing,’ it’s only natural that Korean fashion brands take center stage.
With a unique blend of contemporary styles and cultural elements, the Seoul-based fashion scene is an undeniable force to be reckoned with in the global industry.
Weekly Newsletter
Keep up with the latest in fashion, beauty and style!
Now it’s your turn…
Which one of these trends in Korean fashion is your favorite and why?
Are there any other Korean fashion trends for women do you think we’ve missed and should include in our next article update?
Please leave your comments below; we always appreciate your comments and use them to learn, improve, and update these articles.
After years of managing hundreds of fashion brands from London’s office of a global retailer, Mandy has ventured into freelancing. Connected with several fashion retailers and media platforms in the US, Australia, and the UK, Mandy uses her expertise to consult for emerging fashion brands create top-notch content as an editorial strategist for several online publications.
