Korean Fashion Vocabulary — Clothes, Styles, Trends

<h2>Korean Fashion: Between Tradition and Avant-Garde</h2> <p>South Korea has become a global fashion capital in just a few years. The Hallyu (Korean Wave) isn't limited to K-pop and dramas — Korean fashion now influences trends worldwide. After 12 years in Seoul, I'm constantly impressed by the attention Koreans pay to their appearance. Here, dressing well is a true art form.</p> <h2>Basic Clothing — 기본 옷</h2> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>옷</td><td>ot</td><td>Clothes</td></tr> <tr><td>티셔츠</td><td>ti-syeo-cheu</td><td>T-shirt</td></tr> <tr><td>셔츠</td><td>syeo-cheu</td><td>Shirt / dress shirt</td></tr> <tr><td>바지</td><td>ba-ji</td><td>Pants / trousers</td></tr> <tr><td>청바지</td><td>cheong-ba-ji</td><td>Jeans</td></tr> <tr><td>치마</td><td>chi-ma</td><td>Skirt</td></tr> <tr><td>원피스</td><td>won-pi-seu</td><td>Dress (one-piece)</td></tr> <tr><td>자켓</td><td>ja-ket</td><td>Jacket / blazer</td></tr> <tr><td>코트</td><td>ko-teu</td><td>Coat</td></tr> <tr><td>패딩</td><td>pae-ding</td><td>Padded jacket / puffer</td></tr> <tr><td>후드티</td><td>hu-deu-ti</td><td>Hoodie</td></tr> <tr><td>니트</td><td>ni-teu</td><td>Knit sweater</td></tr> </table> <p><strong>Note:</strong> <strong>패딩</strong> (padded jacket) is THE winter garment in Korea. From November to March, everyone wears one. The long version is especially popular. Brands like North Face and Moncler are highly coveted.</p> <h2>Accessories — 액세서리</h2> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>신발</td><td>sin-bal</td><td>Shoes</td></tr> <tr><td>운동화</td><td>un-dong-hwa</td><td>Sneakers</td></tr> <tr><td>구두</td><td>gu-du</td><td>Dress shoes</td></tr> <tr><td>[가방](/en/dictionary/%EA%B0%80%EB%B0%A9)</td><td>ga-bang</td><td>Bag</td></tr> <tr><td>모자</td><td>mo-ja</td><td>Hat / cap</td></tr> <tr><td>목도리</td><td>mok-do-ri</td><td>Scarf</td></tr> <tr><td>장갑</td><td>jang-gap</td><td>Gloves</td></tr> <tr><td>양말</td><td>yang-mal</td><td>Socks</td></tr> <tr><td>벨트</td><td>bel-teu</td><td>Belt</td></tr> <tr><td>반지</td><td>ban-ji</td><td>Ring</td></tr> <tr><td>목걸이</td><td>mok-geo-ri</td><td>Necklace</td></tr> <tr><td>귀걸이</td><td>gwi-geo-ri</td><td>Earrings</td></tr> <tr><td>선글라스</td><td>seon-geul-ra-seu</td><td>Sunglasses</td></tr> </table> <h2>Sizes and Fitting — 사이즈와 피팅</h2> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>사이즈</td><td>sa-i-jeu</td><td>Size</td></tr> <tr><td>프리사이즈</td><td>peu-ri-sa-i-jeu</td><td>One size fits all (free size)</td></tr> <tr><td>크다</td><td>keu-da</td><td>Big / too big</td></tr> <tr><td>작다</td><td>jak-da</td><td>Small / too small</td></tr> <tr><td>맞다</td><td>mat-da</td><td>To fit well</td></tr> <tr><td>입어 보다</td><td>i-beo bo-da</td><td>To try on (clothes)</td></tr> <tr><td>탈의실</td><td>tal-ui-sil</td><td>Fitting room</td></tr> <tr><td>교환</td><td>gyo-hwan</td><td>Exchange</td></tr> <tr><td>환불</td><td>hwan-bul</td><td>Refund</td></tr> </table> <p>Be warned: Korean sizes are generally smaller than Western sizes. A <strong>프리사이즈</strong> (free size) often corresponds to a Western S/M. If you're tall or broad, be prepared to search a bit more!</p> <h2>The [Hanbok](/en/blog/the-hanbok-korea-s-traditional-clothing-history-pieces-vocabulary) — 한복</h2> <p>The <strong>한복</strong> (hanbok) is the traditional Korean garment:</p> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>한복</td><td>han-bok</td><td>Traditional Korean garment</td></tr> <tr><td>저고리</td><td>jeo-go-ri</td><td>Hanbok jacket/top</td></tr> <tr><td>치마</td><td>chi-ma</td><td>Long skirt (women's hanbok)</td></tr> <tr><td>바지</td><td>ba-ji</td><td>Loose pants (men's hanbok)</td></tr> <tr><td>고름</td><td>go-reum</td><td>Decorative ribbon/bow</td></tr> <tr><td>대여</td><td>dae-yeo</td><td>Rental</td></tr> </table> <p>In Seoul, you can rent a hanbok for a day near <strong>[경복궁](/en/dictionary/%EA%B2%BD%EB%B3%B5%EA%B6%81)</strong> (Gyeongbokgung) or <strong>북촌</strong> (Bukchon). Prices range from 15,000 to 30,000 won ($11-22). And if you wear a hanbok, palace entry is free!</p> <h2>Styles and Trends — 스타일과 트렌드</h2> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>스타일</td><td>seu-ta-il</td><td>Style</td></tr> <tr><td>패션</td><td>pae-syeon</td><td>Fashion</td></tr> <tr><td>유행</td><td>yu-haeng</td><td>Trend / trendy</td></tr> <tr><td>캐주얼</td><td>kae-ju-eol</td><td>Casual</td></tr> <tr><td>정장</td><td>jeong-jang</td><td>Suit / formal wear</td></tr> <tr><td>빈티지</td><td>bin-ti-ji</td><td>Vintage</td></tr> <tr><td>오버핏</td><td>o-beo-pit</td><td>Oversized</td></tr> </table> <p>Korean style stands out for its cleanliness and attention to detail. The <strong>홍대</strong> (Hongdae) and <strong>강남</strong> (Gangnam) neighborhoods have very different styles: Hongdae is more streetwear and creative, while Gangnam is more sophisticated and luxury.</p> <h2>Useful Shopping Phrases</h2> <table> <tr><th>Korean</th><th>Romanization</th><th>English</th></tr> <tr><td>입어 봐도 될까요?</td><td>i-beo bwa-do dwel-kka-yo?</td><td>Can I try this on?</td></tr> <tr><td>다른 색 있어요?</td><td>da-reun saek i-sseo-yo?</td><td>Do you have another color?</td></tr> <tr><td>더 큰 사이즈 있어요?</td><td>deo keun sa-i-jeu i-sseo-yo?</td><td>Do you have a bigger size?</td></tr> <tr><td>이거 잘 어울려요</td><td>i-geo jal eo-ul-ryeo-yo</td><td>That suits you well</td></tr> <tr><td>깎아 주세요</td><td>kka-kka ju-se-yo</td><td>Give me a discount please</td></tr> </table> <p>👗 <strong>Want to master everyday Korean?</strong> <a href="/en/signup">Sign up on Seonsaengnim</a> to [learn Korean](/en/korean) with interactive lessons!</p>