Korean Street Style: Korean Summer Fashion Trends

Korea’s weather is known for being unpredictable, especially in the summertime. With scorching hot days that make you want to stay inside, or its rainy season where your only options are to meet up with friends at local cafes and restaurants or stay home, Koreans never know what type of weather they will get during the summer!

Staying cool in the summer months is a top priority, which is where clothing comes into play, as Koreans must find the balance between fashion and comfort when the weather gets warm.

While the heat may not affect some people, others want to know how they can stay cool in the summer and look presentable no matter where they go.

So, here are a few things to wear to stay cool during the summertime in South Korea while also keeping up with the most popular Korean fashion trends!

Sundresses, or flowy dresses, are a perfect way to stay cool while looking nice during the summertime!

You will see many Korean women wearing dresses when the weather gets warm because they are convenient to wear, and the fabric is usually on the lighter side or made of linen, so you won’t get hot while wearing it.

You can find dresses with floral patterns, sleeves, pockets, etc., so you can match the dress to your style. Another big trend is wearing flowy skirts, which you can find in sets or on their own, that are equally convenient to wear during the summer when paired with a tank or cropped shirt!

One of the best ways to wear pants during the summer is to opt for ones with wide-leg styles. They are more comfortable than skinny jeans or other form-fitting pants and allow for more airflow, keeping you cool when it's warm!

Wide-leg pants are also super versatile, so you can dress them up with a nice button-down or even go for an oversized t-shirt or cropped shirt to complete your look!

Playing off the wide-leg pants trend, crop tops or cropped shirts can be worn with just about anything during the summer! Whether going out to eat or hanging out with friends, you can throw on a crop top and your favorite bottoms to match your outfit to your activities.

Many Korean and K-pop idols wear crop tops during the summer and on stage, as they use less fabric than full-length shirts or dresses.

Also, depending on the weather, you can wear them with skirts as a matching set, pants, shorts, etc., so you can come up with many different outfits with the same shirt! 

Oversized shirts are always trending among Koreans as they can be dressed up or down and provide more coverage than tanks or cropped shirts in the summer, which can help prevent sunburn!

While you could purchase one from a well-known brand or designer or order the same shirt your favorite K-pop idol wore on social media, any oversized shirt will keep you cool and comfortable during the summer.

If you are into fashion, you probably know that Y2K fashion is back, and many Koreans and K-pop idols, specifically in the fourth generation, are opting for 2000s-inspired wardrobes!

One way you can nail down Y2K style is by incorporating elements like chunky shoes, baggy or wide-leg jeans and pants, hair clips, and many more into your outfits to get the early 2000s aesthetic. Many of the trends on this list fall under this category as well!

K-pop idols like New Jeans, TXT, and G-idle have been leaders of this trend with their fresh sense of style, both on and off the stage, so if you want to dress like your favorite Korean celebrities and idols, I’d hop onto this trend!

When the sun is out, the most fashionable way to prevent sunburn on your face is to wear a baseball cap. Baseball caps rarely go out of style, and you will find many of your favorite K-pop idols rocking them on their way to their schedules or social media accounts!

They are also great for keeping hair out of your face and off your neck, which is one of the worst things to deal with when you have long hair during the summer!

While they aren’t necessarily a trend, sunglasses are a must during the summer! Not only can a cute pair of sunglasses elevate your outfit, but they serve their function when it is too sunny out, and you can only see by squinting!

They are beneficial if you are driving or plan to spend your day outside, so always keep a pair on you during the summer if you want to enjoy your time in the sun!

Nothing screams fashion more than layering on your favorite sunscreen before you put on your nicest outfit, right?

Either way, protecting your skin from UV Rays during the summer should be the most essential step in your skincare routine!

While you may be thinking, what does sunscreen have to do with summer fashion? But to answer your question, if you forget to put on sunscreen and end up looking like a lobster, like most of us would, you probably won’t be able to wear the clothes you want to when your skin burns to the touch and starts peeling off!

So, instead of being limited to loose-fitting clothing that covers your sunburn and flakey skin, apply sunscreen every day before you go outside!

Let us know if you plan on visiting Korea this summer in the comments below and what you plan to pack to survive the heat while still looking great!