As the cold weather sets in, it’s tempting to reach for the thickest, warmest clothes to shield yourself from the chill. But this can often compromise your sense of style and hinder your ability to showcase your figure. However, if you look to the fashion choices of women in South Korea, you’ll notice that they manage to dress in a way that is both lightweight and stylish, even during the coldest months.
So, how do Korean women stay warm without sacrificing their fashion sense? Here are some of their secrets to looking stylish while staying comfortable during the winter:
1. Opt for Long Sleeves Instead of Gloves
When the temperature drops, it’s common to worry about cold hands. While gloves can provide warmth, Korean women often favor long sleeves over gloves. These sleeves can be worn under a coat or with short-sleeved outfits, offering a stylish and practical solution. Unlike gloves, long sleeves are not bulky or restrictive.
In addition to the classic black and white, don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors to add a pop of color to your outfit. This can easily be done with long sleeves, and you won’t have to worry about it interfering with your phone usage.
Long sleeves that extend to the elbows can provide warmth while still allowing you to show off your fashion sense and use your phone with ease.
Consider choosing brighter yet neutral colors like brown or tan to add a subtle touch of color to your ensemble.
2. Embrace Thermal Wear
Thermal wear is a staple in the wardrobes of Korean women during the fall and winter months. These garments are thin, stretchy, and breathable, ensuring comfort and style. They come in a variety of styles, allowing you to find the perfect piece to complement your outfit. Fashion blogger Eunjin Blaga specifically recommends a thermal coat with a low collar and sleeves that reach 70-80% of your forearm length. This combination of thermal wear and a stylish outfit will keep you warm and fashionable without the bulk.
Pair a thin thermal top with trousers for a sleek and sophisticated office look.
Go for a thermal top with a modest neckline and sleeves that hit at just the right length to easily complement the rest of your wardrobe.
3. Pair Leggings with Tights
According to Eunjin Blaga, Korean women don’t always opt for full-length leggings, as they can sometimes feel too constricting and uncomfortable. Instead, they go for a combination of shorter leggings (preferably thermal leggings) and sheer tights. This duo provides both warmth and a touch of skin exposure. If you’re concerned about the cold or want to enhance the layering effect, you can add knee-high socks. Depending on the outdoor temperature, you can mix and match your tights and leggings in various ways while ensuring ease of movement.
Combine sheer tights with knee-high socks to stay warm while showing just the right amount of skin.
Leggings can also be paired with a long skirt to keep you warm. Opt for tights and a skirt in matching colors to create the illusion of longer legs.
4. Layer with Lightweight Coats
One of the key strategies to staying warm without sacrificing style is to layer with lightweight coats, such as a puffer jacket. This type of jacket has become a winter essential due to its lightweight design and excellent insulation properties. The light material allows you to easily layer it with other garments without feeling bulky.
If you’re particularly prone to feeling cold, consider investing in a high-quality goose or duck down jacket, which offers superior insulation and breathability. With this type of jacket, you can maintain comfort despite drastic temperature differences between indoors and outdoors.
A lightweight puffer jacket filled with down is a great way to stay warm without the bulk.
Pair a puffer jacket with a long coat, such as a trench coat, for those extra chilly days.
5. Thermal Wear + Light Jacket
Korean women are masters of layering, and this skill comes in handy during the winter months. Their secret lies in skillfully combining multiple thin layers, starting with a thermal top and a light down jacket, and finishing with a baseball cap to top it all off.
By using thermal wear as a base layer and pairing it with the aforementioned light down jacket, along with a pair of sneakers and a cap, you can achieve a stylish and warm look. Alternatively, you can swap out the thermal top for a thicker sweater. This combination not only looks fashionable but also provides ample warmth, and the loose-fitting design ensures a comfortable and natural silhouette.
A thick sweater worn under a light jacket creates a stylish layered look while keeping you warm.
For a cozy and stylish look, pair a high-neck thermal top with a hoodie and a long coat.
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