How has your fashion changed since being in Korea?

[#basedcowboyshirt]

Folks that've been here for a few months or longer, what're some ways you've noticed that your style has changed?

Most of us can agree that Korean steez is mad hella, and most of the guys have so much swag it's ridiculous. And the girls look like they're red-carpet-ready even when buying groceries.

For me, I sized down one size in jeans, started actually wearing khakis (seriously. They're awesome if you can rock them), and hardly ever wear t-shirts now. Back home, I was all about t-shirts, but now I feel underdressed if I go out in anything that's not a well-fitted collared shirt. I still wear Converse almost all the time. I'm working on breaking that habit, but they're just so cheap and comfy.

I also am no longer able to wear clothing that's loose or baggy. I just feel like a slob. Not that I did back home, but I sized down from a medium to a small and have never looked back.

How've you adopted Korean dress style since you've been here?

[fudoose]

I bought a cardigan....   

[yeti08]

I have not changed and probably never will.  I am just too big.  It's not about losing weight either.  I am 6'6" and my legs are just too big around.  I have given up finding proper fitting clothes here, so I just continue to wear the same stuff I wore back in America.  I would NEVER succumb to skinny jeans even if I could squeeze into them.  I like dressing up, but when it's the weekend it's all about the jeans, shorts, and tees. 

[tomcore]

I after a couple of years, I wouldn't say my fashion has changed. I generally wear polo shirts and now I buy Korean brands rather than English ones..

[alwaysgood]

I can buy slightly nicer clothes because I have a full time job. 

Also It is hard to find pants that fit right.  Usually they are tight around the thighs or loose at the waist depending on the size.

[funtastic]

I too have noticed a change in my style. and I must admit, I have become more clean-cut since I've been here. But that's more to do with the job and having to keep up appearances for the role of an English teacher. I've never been one to dress to fit in or anything like that, but considering the circumstances I don't see what harm there is in looking your best at all times . 

[kyliem03]

I bought the cutest shoes just to walk to and from school because we have to wear slippers during the day  .  So perhaps something more than just my style has changed.

[kagayuzen]

Definitely got more stylish as I lived here. None of those "Jeans and t-shirt" thing, even though my school has a lax dress code. I felt severely underdressed when I first got here with my "lazy look" haha.

[Mlatte]

I have bought a lot of the glittery and big bow headbands.  Also, my skirt length has seemed to shorten

[Robot]

I went from very tom-boyish to ultra girly. (Though I do have strange, 2NE1 inspired days and days that I follow middle-school fashion trends)

Heels? Went from one pair to ten.
Dresses? I had none. Now I am devoted to 1950s style mini-dresses.
Makeup? In days gone by you would be lucky to see me in lip-gloss. Now I'm rocking eyeliner and manicures at all times.

While I do prefer my fashion now and I'm going to do my damnedest to keep it up once I leave, I have become crazy shallow. I judge everyone on their appearance now.
I have become a bad person.

[Canonite]

It hasn't at all...I like the fact that I'm not fitting in with the fruity fashion around here. I think most Korean guys dress like complete and utter tools.

I rock dress-style khakis and t-shirts/polo shirts for my days off (or shorts in the summer) and dress-style khakis and dress pants with dress shirts for work...I look like a man, not some confused Ken-doll raiding his mom's closet.

[orangeman]

I wouldn't say my style has changed, but sometimes I just have to go with what I can find here.  For example, I can't wear my regular running shoes when I play volleyball at school because they're 'outdoor' shoes, so I have to get whatever will fit my feet.  Ugly grey usually fits best.  But as for the rest, nothing really ever fits here so sometimes I have to rock the 'grunge' look until I can get back home to get some new jeans or t-shirts. 

[Miss S]

I feel that I can't dress as creatively as I used to.  My wardrobe is looking particularly dark and neutral these days. 

I used to wear bright colours and show off my personality with funky cuts and designs.  I've had to minimise that a great deal here.  I already stick out like a sore thumb with blonde hair and people gawking (and yes I mean gawking) at my hair AND "crazy" clothes makes me feel too uncomfortable. 

I try to respect Korean culture by blending in a little more.  My soul still yearns a little.

Also I can't wear my usual summer clothes because they all show off shoulders, back or arms (it's how you keep cool, duh!).  Gotta keep 'em covered even in the hottest heat

And also, I used to wear lots of long skirts and long dresses (with open shoulders/backs).  Feel like I should just throw all of them away now.  They just look weird amoung the Koreas and their ultra short mini skirts and short shorts.

Oh well.  I'd give up my own (true) style in exchange for living in a better country than where I was.

[CALVINW33]

Two words: man purse.

[Freeto]

The polyester content of my clothing has skyrocketed.

[constantinople]

Miss S, just out of curiosity, how do you feel you're being more respectful to Korean culture by blending in?

I think the only thing that has changed with my style is that I now wear caps pretty often. It's probably because I could never find one I liked, but have found one here and wear it often, also to protect my head from the sun as my hair is quite short. I also wear nicer clothes to work, but I think the profession requires it. When I get home I always change to something more comfortable and casual.

I don't feel the need to dress a certain way (outside of work) even though people stare at me (my tattoos, particularly). I try to be me. There was one time I tried to wear tight jeans and ..... no. Just no.

[justanotherwaygook]

More polos.  I had maybe 1 back home, here I have 5 or more.

Shirts with ridiculous things on them, some of which border on Konglish.

Tons of socks with cartoon characters, writing, animals on them.  I love rocking my Obama socks.

[Canonite]

And the girls look like they're red-carpet-ready even when buying groceries.

Haha so true...I was in the Philippines a few weeks ago and you could tell Koreans (especially the girls) from a mile away...because they were dressed sooooo much nicer than anyone else around. I gotta admit, many, many Korean girls look/dress stunning...but I wonder how much effort and time goes into that each day haha...and sometimes...just sometimes...it'd be nice to see a girl in a pair of yoga pants and a tank top...

[Miss S]

Miss S, just out of curiosity, how do you feel you're being more respectful to Korean culture by blending in?

I just figure that people are staring because they see something different (most of the time).  It's different because it's not done in Korea.  It's not done in Korea for various social and etiquette reasons.  And so respect the people and their culture for making that (annoying) distinction.

Maybe it's not a case of being more respectful by blending in; but rather, being less disrespectful by overtly standing out.

[피터]

Toe socks.