A Fashion-Friendly Guide to Korean Winters

As many of you may know, Korean winters are pretty brutal. With temperatures dropping below 0 degrees Celsius, gusts of cold wind, and streets covered in ice and snow, keeping warm is quite the mission. This is completely different from the summer norms of having a handheld fan in one hand and an iced drink in the other to cool down, and although the cold might not bother some of us, many travelers wonder how to stay warm while exploring South Korea during this chilly winter season.

Long Puffer Jacket

While this is largely a fashion trend, it is also 100% necessary when enduring Korean winter. Long puffer jackets will keep you warm and toasty from head to knee, allowing you to freely explore the streets of Korea. These jackets, while very big and bulky, are a complete essential during the winter months in Korea. You will see them everywhere, from Hongdae cafes to the steps of Gyeongbokgung, in every color from classic black to milk-tea brown.

Layer Up

Like an onion, layering up is super key to surviving Korean winter. During the winter months, it is no secret that the temperatures are incredibly low, so layers are sure to keep you cozy. Ideally, you would have around three layers of clothing. On the outer layer, you would wear your long puffer jacket, and underneath would be a hoodie, sweater, jumper, or anything you would wear if it was just a bit chilly and a t-shirt just won't cut it. For the innermost layer, wear something like a simple t-shirt, or if it is super cold, you can opt for something like Uniqlo HEATTECH.

Layering is super important, as many stores and restaurants love to crank up their heaters to keep guests out of the cold, so when you walk indoors, you can simply peel off pieces of clothing and put them back on when reentering the cold outdoors. Wearing a t-shirt under all those layers not only prevents you from overheating when indoors, but can also cut down on the laundry. Bigger items such as hoodies and sweaters take a lot longer to dry, so if you are moving around a lot during your stay in Korea, you can stick to just washing your t-shirts regularly since your hoodie or sweater is just an outer garment.

Hot Packs

Sometimes, layering up like an onion and wearing a long puffer jacket just is not enough. Hot packs are little bundles of instant toasty warmth, and they can be purchased from literally any convenience store in Korea, including GS25 and CU, plus every Daiso branch. Your hands will probably get super cold, so clutching onto these hot packs or simply leaving them in your pockets is sure to warm you right up. Locals often slip one into their gloves before strolling through Namsan Park, or tuck a stick-on heat patch onto the small of their back.

Face Masks

Again, like the long puffer jackets, these are not a mere fashion accessory. When the wind picks up, the cold gust of wind can often be painful for more sensitive skin like your face. A snug mask, hooded scarf, or knit nose-cover will shield your face from the cold and harsh winds, and prevent redness on your face from the cold. Bonus: they also help during yellow-dust season, when air quality dips in early spring.

Lots of Lotion and Chapstick

Winters in Korea are incredibly drying, so it is super important to be constantly applying and reapplying lotion and chapstick. Having moisturized skin makes the cold a lot more tolerable, and we surely don't want all that Korean skincare to go to waste. Stash a tube of lip balm in every coat pocket, and reach for a barrier-boosting moisturizer like Innisfree's Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Cream after every cleanse. Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin and Laneige Water Bank are other K-beauty favorites that lock in moisture before you head back out into the cold.

Korean winter, while incredibly cold, is an amazing experience. Just imagine walking down the busy streets of Myeongdong with snow falling and your favorite K-pop group's song faintly playing in the background while you hold toasty street food in your hands. Pack the puffer, layer the heat-tech, stuff your pockets with hot packs, mask up against the wind, and moisturize like a Seoulite, and you will be more than ready for the season.

What are your tips for surviving winter in Korea? Let us know in the comments below.

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