Korean men put as much care into their fashion style as women. And in some cases, maybe even more! With the rise of the Korean entertainment hype and emerging brands focusing on men’s style, it has become much easier for guys to dress well. Every fashion season, they quickly break the “men don’t care about how they look” assumption. From street style to business casual suits to K-pop-inspired stage outfits—dressing trendy has become the norm in Korean culture until it turned into a new category of fashion itself: Korean Style.
So if you think men’s style is just a t-shirt and some sweatpants, you must immediately check out Korean outfits for men and styles! Korean stars can elevate basic pieces you might already have in your wardrobe into a runaway-ready style. Read on to learn more about the best Korean outfits for men and style inspirations. Try them now!
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In 2023, there are various Korean outfits for men that are on-trend. Minimal clothing is a widespread Korean fashion trend for men, usually consisting of two-piece outfits or sometimes three-piece in muted colors like black, brown, and gray. Flannel shirts, striped tees, turtlenecks, bomber jackets, denim color block combinations, cardigans and blazers, slacks, oversized Cuban shirts, corduroy jackets, scarfs, and bucket hats are some famous Korean outfits for men in 2023. Additionally, baggy pants are a new Korean street fashion trend for 2023, which are simple and give minimal effort vibes. The loose fit is comfortable to move around and is very popular. See this list to get an idea!
Tops
Buttoned polo
To start this list, we have the best classic outerwear for men. You might often see this checkered motif in Korean dramas with teenagers and students. Besides being used like a regular buttoned shirt, flannel shirts are often worn as outerwear. You must combine it with a plain shirt, ripped jeans, and sneakers.
This outfit is simple and can be worn at semi-formal and casual events. It also has many different motifs and colors, so you can collect as much as you like! If you are not into prints, you can choose plain buttoned polos.
T-shirts
[credit: pinterest]
If you prefer a basic casual style for your daily looks, a striped tee or a striped shirt will be your favorite. These shirts with vertical or horizontal stripes are easy to pair with light jeans or short pants. You can also opt for plain T-shirts if you are into basic looks. Many wear them slightly oversized to get that baggy and laid-back style. This Korean style is also appropriate for semi-formal events, cafe hopping, or lunch with friends.
Stripes Round Neck Long Sleeve Tee Shirt
Add accessories like a hat or a waist bag to your look if you want something fancy. White sneakers are also good to go with this style, making you look youthful and sporty.
Tip: If you want to look slimmer, go with vertical stripes, as it creates a ‘long’ illusion on your body.
Turtlenecks
[Credit: Goblin drama series by Kim Eun-sook]
Korean winters are a beautiful white wonderland. Many Koreans pay special attention to dressing warm and stylish, even during the cold season. Even if you don’t live in a cold climate, you can still wear turtlenecks at night or indoors for formal events like special dinners with your loved ones.
Fleeced High Neck Turtleneck Tee Shirt
You can combine it with a blazer and formal trousers. Top your turtleneck with a denim or varsity jacket and jeans for a more relaxed look. Perfect choice for a posh and elegant appearance, just like Gong Yoo’s iconic winter outfit in Goblin!
Polo Shirts
This shirt is the star of every season. This shirt features a soft material that guarantees a casual, chilled look. Depending on the season, you can wear it as it is or layer something to protect you from coldness.
Rayon Kabana Short Sleeve Shirt Palm Gray
Cover-ups
Bomber Jacket
[Source: Kooding]
The bomber Jacket is a must-have for Korean guys. This street style is usually matched with a plain or motif t-shirt or sweatshirt during winter. The cool thing about wearing a bomber jacket is that you can wear any pants of your liking, whether it’s jeans, slim-fit pants, or chinos.
A short history about the name ‘bomber jacket’ the military uniform inspires it. That’s why you’re most likely to find a bomber jacket in army green.
Retro Look: Corduroy Jacket
[Source: Record of Youth drama series by Studio Dragon]
One episode in the drama Record of Youth shows Park Bo-Gum’s character wearing a retro look with his white t-shirt, jeans, and a brown corduroy jacket. I can’t stop thinking about that awesome retro style! Corduroy jackets are one of the best Korean outfits for men. They make everything look simple yet attractive.
It’s best to match this style with neutral accessories like a gray scarf or a white wool beanie. The corduroy trend itself peaked in the 80s and 90s and made a comeback in recent years due to more films and series having a retro setting. You should try the Park Bo Gum style with your statement for cool style inspiration.
Cardigan and Blazer
Now for the smart, neat look, a cardigan or a casual blazer will turn your basic outfit into something ‘wow!’ The best thing about this is that you won’t need to try that hard to achieve the look!
Cardigan and blazer are both staple outerwear. You can wear it to college, the workplace, and even formal events daily. With high-class-looking material like wool, your outfit will look classy and timeless.
Trench coats
There is no ideal trench coat length; a man should select a length that complements his body type. Tall men might consider wearing longer jackets that end just below the knee because short coats make them look enormous. For short men, above-the-knee coats with precise tailoring are best. These shorter coats will be more proportionate and prevent you from seeming to be covered with surplus cloth.
Grey Woolen Long Coat | Heeseung - Enhypen
Bottoms
Slacks
It is one of the bottom wear necessary for a modern and natural style. In Korea, such a neat and cute look is called a boyfriend look, 남친룩. It looks like a casual business suit from the front, but there is a banding at the back so that it can be worn easily. It’s nice to be able to complete the style without a belt!
Trousers
Looser-fit trousers must break correctly, but they are ideal for serving as a base for a statement piece of footwear. Too high, and you’ll appear to be wearing three-quarter lengths; too long, and they’ll look like the floor-dragging boot cuts. The primary goal is to prevent pooling, so we advise setting the hem to fall between the top of your shoe and its first row of eyelets. To avoid charges that you have been dressing up in the wrong sizes, contrast the additional fabric below by keeping your top half fitting.
Black Street-Vibe Zipper Trouser | Chen - EXO
Jeans
Pay close attention to how your jeans fit. Jeans with a relaxed or standard fit will work well with it, but too thin or slim clothing won’t. Avoid wearing anything too tight or fitted with the rest of your clothing because it will clash with the looser-fitting legwear. Everything else will fall into place if you first get the fit right: mid-rise, snug in the waist, roomy in the thigh, with a modest taper from the knee to the ankle. Nowadays, denim types of jeans are not the only kind of jeans you can wear.
Banana Yellow High Waist Jeans | Jin -BTS
Accessories
Scarf, Necklace, and Bucket Hat
[credit: dhgate.com]
ATEEZ Wooyoung Inspired Cactus Flower Fame Earth Necklace
Korean men’s favorite accessories are a scarf for autumn and winter, a bucket hat for spring and summer, and a necklace all year round. They give a personal touch to your outfit, and you can mix and match them with every style you want to try.
Shoes
Sneakers
All-time favorite shoes of Korean men? Sneakers! You’ll never go wrong with sneakers, especially with black, white, and brown sneaker colors. You can pair it with any outfit!
Popular colors that Korean men may wear in 2023
Pastel colors
Pastel colors have been popular in Korean fashion for a few years and are expected to continue to be a trend in 2023. Soft pinks, blues, yellows, and greens are great options for a subtle and refreshing look.
Neutrals
Neutral colors like beige, gray, and black are timeless and versatile and can be easily mixed and matched with any piece, providing a clean and sophisticated look.
Earthy tones
Earthy tones like olive green, rust, and burnt orange have been gaining popularity in Korean fashion. It gives a warm, natural look perfect for fall and winter.
Jewel tones
Bold jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, and ruby are eminent options for creating a statement look. It adds color to any outfit and can be worn in formal or casual settings.
Monochromatic looks
Monochromatic looks have been a trend in Korean fashion for a few years and are expected to continue to be popular in 2023. Wearing different shades of the same color creates a cohesive and stylish look.
Color Block Combination
Long-Sleeve Colored Linen Blend Shirt
The color block trend in men’s Korean-style clothes has recently been a hot craze. This combination is to experiment with bright colors and use two contrasting colors as your top and bottom. The key to achieving this look is your courage to explore different styles and colors!
Denim
Jeans are always right. In the Korean men’s fashion trend, straight or wide jeans are more popular than skinny jeans. Jeans go well with almost all tops, including basic t-shirts, striped shirts, knits, etc. It’s good to mix and wear a denim jacket.
Some Korean Men celebrity style inspirations for 2023
Cha Eun-woo
Cha Eun-woo is a rising fashion icon in Korea, and his style is an outstanding inspiration for Korean men in 2023. He often wears classic pieces with a modern twist, such as tailored suits with sneakers.
Lee Min Ho
Lee Min Ho has a minimalist style perfect for Korean men who prefer a more casual look. He often wears classy pieces, such as long sleeves, coats, blazers, and jackets, but sometimes adds a pop of patterns or a statement accessory to make his outfit stand out. On the other hand, he is also fond of comfy outfits outside the limelight.
Lee Dong-Wook
Lee Dong-Wook is known for his sophisticated style and is a fantastic inspiration for Korean men who prefer a more formal look. He often wears tailored suits in classic colors like black and navy and adds a modern twist with unique accessories.
Park Seo-Joon
Park Seo-Joon is a trendsetter in Korean fashion, and his style is an excellent inspiration for Korean men who want to stay up-to-date with the latest trends. He often wears bold colors and patterns, mixing and matching different styles to create a unique look.
Park Bo Gum
Known for his impeccable fashion sense, Park Bo Gum is a great inspiration for Korean men in 2023. He often mixes and matches styles, such as streetwear and preppy, to create a unique look.
These Korean men can create stylish, unique outfits that reflect their personalities and fashion in 2023. You can follow their style, be inspired, and create your own fashion sense!
Tips for Korean Men when Choosing an Outfit in 2023
Experiment with different styles
Feel free to try out different styles, whether streetwear, preppy, or minimalist. Korean fashion is mixing and matching various techniques to create a unique look.
Pay attention to fit
The fit of your clothes is crucial in Korean fashion. Clothes that fit well must look more polished and put together. Be mindful of the proportions of your outfit, and avoid clothes that are too baggy or tight.
Choose quality over quantity
Invest in high-quality pieces that will last a long time rather than buying cheap ones that look overused with just a few washes. Korean fashion emphasizes quality over quantity, so choose well-made and durable pieces.
Accessorize wisely
Accessories can make you look polished or cheap, so choose them wisely. A simple watch, a pair of sunglasses, or a statement bag can add a lot of personality to your outfit.
Pay attention to color and pattern
Korean fashion often incorporates bold colors and patterns; experimenting with combinations is a must-try. However, be mindful of the color and design of your clothes and how they complement each other.
Following these tips, Korean men can create stylish and unique outfits that reflect their personalities and fashion in 2023.
Things that Korean men should avoid to look good in any outfit
Flashy or gaudy accessories
Minimalism is a crucial element of Korean men’s fashion, so avoiding accessories that are too flashy or gaudy is better. Instead, opt for simple and understated pieces.
Too much color
While color is not inherently wrong, wearing too many bright or clashing colors can be overwhelming. Instead, Korean men should opt for muted or neutral colors that can be easily mixed and matched.
Ill-fitting clothing
Too tight or too loose clothing can be unflattering. Finding clothing that fits well and accentuates one’s body shape is essential.
By avoiding these things, Korean men can improve their overall look and create stylish and flattering outfits.