Cute in Korea: Korean Winter Fashion

I’ve always been a sucker for cute things. In high school I would sometimes get teased for my “childish fashion.” However, when I moved to Korea I never felt more at home! Fashion in Korea can be super cute, not just for the girls, but for the guys too. People don’t mind wearing clothes with characters on them, hats with faces and socks with animals regardless of age. I have to admit, it’s nice to really be able to just be myself without anyone saying, “aren’t you a little too old for that?”

While cute is always in style here in Korea, I feel like the level of cuteness in fashion is amplified during the winter time. Since it gets intensely cold here, there are lots of opportunities to layer up with adorable accessories. So if you want cute up your wardrobe this winter, here are a few ideas.

Hats

You can never go wrong with a cute and warm hat. From beanies with animal faces to bowler hats with ears, the possibilities are truly endless. I was never really a hat person till I moved to Korea. Now my boyfriend and I have both added quite a few to our wardrobe. They’re a fun and easy way to spruce up a plain or casual look. They’re also a quick fix when you don’t feel like doing your hair. This honey badger beanie can be found at H&M, the penguin snow beanie at Artbox and the cat ear bowler and Toothless beanie at Redeye.

Gloves & Mittens

When winter really kicks in, gloves and mittens are a necessity. However, just because they’re practical, it doesn’t mean they have to be boring. If you want to find a subtle way to add something cute to your ensemble gloves or mittens are definitely the way to go! You can find bear gloves like these at Artbox or fox mittens at Accessorize.

Masks

In Korea, it is quite common to see people wearing surgical masks in public. During yellow dust season or when the air quality is particularly bad, people wear them to prevent themselves from inhaling the dirty air and getting sick. People also wear them when they’re really sick to prevent the spread of their germs when they cough and sneeze. Since they aren’t all that attractive to wear, you can buy reusable ones with cartoon characters, colorful patterns and animal mouths printed on them. If you want to be extra cute, maybe you can buy couple masks for you and your special someone. You can grab a pair like these at Artbox.

Hooded Scarfs*

Hooded scarfs are super nifty on their own, but why not add an element of cute to them? Though not as common as the previously mentioned items, you can find hooded scarfs with animal ears on them. Some of these scarves even come with pockets at the ends so you can keep your paws hands nice and toasty. Although it may seem like an odd concept outside of Halloween, cat and bear eared accessories are quite popular in Korea. You know what they say, “when in Rome….”

*Unfortunately, I don’t have a particular store for this item. Korea is full of independent boutiques with cute items and I just so happened to stumble upon this one in (Hongdae).

Socks

Socks are probably the most common way to have a bit of fun with your outfit. Since you are expected to remove your shoes when entering a house and even at some schools, work places and restaurants people put some thought into the kind of socks they wear. You can find people of all ages wearing socks with a fun pattern, cartoon characters and faces on them. In the winter you can also buy thick fuzzy sock for that extra bit of warmth and softness. These can be purchase at various accessory vendors inside subway stations or any shopping district. I bought these in Hongdae, but they are everywhere!