Hello, this is guest editor Jeong Ji-hyeon, who is filling up her shopping cart in preparation for spring. But looking at the wish list, I feel a sense of déjà vu. My fashion taste is pine trees. I end up buying similar items every year. It’s just a matter of changing the color or updating the size as you gain or lose weight. Aren’t the new products you put in your shopping cart already in your closet? I feel like I have become a bored person and feel discouraged.
The way to boost your fading fashion ambitions is simple. Trying a new style. The problem is that for someone like me, that ‘one time’ is the most difficult. For those who have lived with one style for a long time, deciding to change is a challenge.
In that case, instead of making a big deal, let’s start by buying one key item. If you like it, you can match it with other clothes centered around the new item, and if not… What can I do? In the process of trying to save something, you may discover an unexpected combination. This season, we introduce four styles worth trying and introductory items for each style.
[1]
contemporary classic
Modern clothing is evolving in an increasingly comfortable way. What stands out especially this year is that it should be something that can be worn naturally in everyday life, not just on special occasions. If you want to look ‘adult’ without losing your neatness at work or on a date, contemporary classics are the answer. Just a flowing silhouette and minimal details can leave the impression of a ‘sophisticated man.’
Introductory item
(1) High waist slacks
Recently, slacks have become a central item of look, and the trend of adding elegant details such as pleats or drapes to a relaxed fit is prominent. Among them, high waist slacks are versatile pants that can be used in a variety of situations if you have one. Not all ‘heavenly’ things are trendy. Since these pants are worn too high, if they fall heavily, they can look dull, like wearing a cape. The level of perfection is determined by the lines that extend down to the shoes and the texture of the fabric. This SS season, light materials such as linen, silk blends, and thin wool are especially used, so take note of them when choosing.
Recommended Items
Coor striped wool-blend pleated trousers
Slacks with a deep rise and double pleat details for a rich sense of volume. This item stands out for its smooth flowing, flexible silhouette made from a wool and poly blend material. The price is 190,000 won. hereat.
(2) Big Blazer
Not everyone who is blindly big becomes a ‘big blazer’. Build your upper body frame, but look at how your shoulder line is formed. Although the power shoulder is often seen, it is also true that it is still a difficult specification to challenge. If you want to wear it casually, it is better to choose a drop shoulder. When worn, it wraps around the body like a box, but the size of the lapels is also important. If the lapel is too much, it can make you look like you’re stealing your dad’s suit, so find a ratio that suits your body type and face. Big blazers are outerwear that is fun to layer. Therefore, there should be enough room in the sleeves and armholes.
Recommended Items
Another Office Santiago Sports Jacket
Two-button sports jacket with a relaxed, dropped shoulder silhouette. The modest lapels and neat fit give a clean impression, and the generous width allows for a wide range of styling options. The price is 278,000 won. here.
[2]
american casual
Four years ago, men’s clothing was a new Americana craze represented by the ‘city boy look’. The combination of a loose shirt and pants with an over-silhouette was generally popular under the name ‘Amekaji’. But this year, the atmosphere has changed. American casual, which can be said to be the origin of American casual, is attracting attention again. If you’ve been eyeing prep and ivy styles, this is the right season to try them. The key is to tighten the loose look. First, you may need a diet.
Introductory item
(1) rugby shirt
A rugby shirt that clings to the body appropriately is a basic item that can be worn alone or layered with a shirt. In other words, it also means that if you just wear it, it is likely to become boring. So the important thing is fit. Start by choosing the size that fits your body. Rugby shirts are usually made of a unique, hard cotton material that clearly shows off the body lines. If you are already worried about belly fat, it is too early to give up. Because if you change the material, the impression will change. Another option is to choose a fabric with a texture like cable knit, or look for a model with a loose chest.
Recommended Items
Brooks Brothers rugby t-shirt
This rugby t-shirt has a simple charm instead of a flashy pattern, increasing its versatility. If you prefer a fitted silhouette, go for a down size, and if you want a voluminous mood, go for the regular size. The price is 159,000 won. hereat.
(2) Leather belt
What was the role of the belt in the city boy look? Wasn’t it about ‘keeping your pants from falling down’ or ‘showing off by keeping them long?’ American casual for adults is different. The key is to remove the sturdy leather belt and metal buckle as much as possible. Wear your top short or tuck it into your pants so that your belt is clearly visible. Experts even measure their fashion level by their belts. If a full leather belt is burdensome, a combination belt with a band that stretches like a rubber band or a woven mesh belt are also great options.
Recommended Items
Uniqlo leather combination striped belt
A Uniqlo belt that allows you to experience the charm of a combination belt at a reasonable price of around 40,000 won. The circle stripe pattern in the center adds a certain wit to an outfit that could otherwise be monotonous. Colors are green and red, purchase here.
[3]
neo grunge
These days, the domestic street scene is dominated by techwear and trail running shoes. If you want to break away from familiar options and express a raw, ‘amazing’ street style, pay attention to neo-grunge. As you can tell from the name, his muse is Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain. It features frayed denim pants, a check shirt, and a cropped outerwear that seems to be cut to fit the waistline. Johnny Depp, with his bohemian mood, is also worth mentioning. If you have the attitude of plodding along as if you are above everything else in the world, you are already a neo-grunge man.
Introductory item
(1) Vintage denim
When discussing neo-grunge, vintage denim cannot be left out. We recommend items that have lost water or have frayed hems. It is better if it is a product with holes, padded details, or patchwork. The fit should not be ‘normal’ such as straight or tapered. They should be sagging like hip-hop pants or fall wide. Or, you can go to the extreme by going skinny. Grunge is not a neat style. Avoid things that will make you say, ‘Where did you get this?’
Recommended Items
Goodnies Mikey Painter Carpenter Denim
Carpenter pants with a loose silhouette. You can feel the charm of vintage denim as a new product with the details of patchy painting and repaired holes. Discount price 189,000 won. Purchase is here.
(2) dirty boots
The layering of grunge is also bold. You can layer 2-3 necklaces or wear a long sleeve under a short-sleeved t-shirt. What holds the combination together, which could otherwise look dizzying, are large work boots. Work boots also must not be ‘clean’. Imagine this. Wouldn’t you look like a newbie if you wore dirty Detroit denim pants and shiny boots? Buy a new pair and break it in, or buy a pair from a vintage shop.
Recommended Items
Yase suede chukka boots
The biggest appeal of chukka boots is that they are easy to wear thanks to their appropriate height. Yase’s chukka boots have a natural discoloration on the toe as if polluted by rainwater, making them even better for creating a free-spirited feel. Discount price around 150,000 won. Purchase is hereat.
[4]
Poet Core
You’ve probably heard at least once that Poet Core will become popular. This is a keyword suggested by Pinterest, and literally means an atmosphere ‘like something a poet would wear.’ The key is the analog mood. So, rather than following set rules, the Poet Core look should focus on vintage colorways and classic items. The most important thing is that it is necessary to achieve that difficult ‘pretended but not decorated’ feeling.
Introductory item
(1) Acetate or metal round glasses
Poetcore must reveal intellectual sexiness. It may be easier said than done, but think of Bill Evans at the piano. The glasses are what make him look more professional and sexy as he focuses on his piano playing. That’s right. Classically designed glasses are a trigger that brings out the intellectual sexiness hidden deep inside. Rather than an overly modern frame, a shape with a sense of the times, such as a horn rim or a metal round, fits well.
Recommended Items
Lash SONNY C1
A completely round frame may look old-fashioned, so start with a square type. Lash’s Sony has straight end pieces and rivet details, so it can be worn plainly with any outfit. The price is $246, purchase hereat.
(2) Classic bag
A bag is one of the items that determines styling. Bags that match Poet Core are classic briefcases such as messenger bags or satchel bags. Leather or sturdy canvas material will also work. However, you should avoid designs that reveal too much practicality, such as briefcases with a modern concept that are resistant to contamination and have hard partitions. This is because Poet Core’s bag must give the ‘fantasy’ feeling that it contains books and writing instruments.
Recommended Items
Wild Bricks W24 Two Way Bag
This two-way bag can be used as a tote or crossbody, and its toned-down color gives off a classic feel. The cowhide handle detail adds an analog charm that matches the Poet Core. The price is 168,000 won. hereat.
It takes a lot of money and time to find a style that suits me. There is no need to give up the style you have found and become a completely different person. However, becoming a person who is predictable in everything may be a little sad. Instead of making a grand transformation, let’s change just one key item. If you succeed, it’s the first step toward a new style, and if you fail, your conviction that ‘as expected’ will only become stronger. Anyway, it won’t be a loss. Now, let me start with diet…
