It’s Time to Start Dressing Like a K-pop King

It’s time you started dressing like a K-pop king. 

What is K-pop? 
A reverberating mashup of indie rock, punk, trot pop, and electronica, K-pop is still most recognisable at its musical core: a mix of hip hop, pop and R&B. 

Rising alongside the luxury market in Asia, K-pop has become a billion dollar industry punctuated by slick music videos, super-charged social media accounts, and intricately curated style choices. 

Like the sartorial reformation during hip hop’s fledgling years in America, the stylistic hallmarks of K-pop are being felt in every corner of the globe. K-pop is currently rivalling fashion epicentres like Japan’s Harajuku, as K-pop stars and their loyal acolytes hit the world’s runways at a supersonic pace. 

The influence is tangible. For instance, when 27-year-old rapper and producer Min Yoon-gi (aka Suga) buttoned-up a chequered Off-White flannel shirt, online searches for Virgil Abloh’s label spiked by 120 per cent. Later, rapper Mino was hand-picked by Virgil to walk Paris Fashion Week for Louis Vuitton.

When G-Dragon, the so-called ‘King of K-pop’, collaborated with Nike to become the first ever Korean musician with a shoe deal, his debut sneaker sold out in seconds. 

Nike and Off-White haven’t been the only brands to capitalise on the eye-watering influence of K-pop. Givenchy, Prada, Gucci and Burberry have also jumped on board, while groups such as BIGBANG have become advocates for streetwear stalwarts The North Face and FILA. 

There are now even reality shows dedicated to the ‘runways’ of the airport (due to the frequency by which K-pop stars travel), while TV dramas offer ample space for K-pop cultural crossover.

These carefully curated looks are supported by a team of sartorial advisors attempting to navigate each artist’s personal preference with the broader, shifting trends of fashion – which explains the pairing of upmarket, luxury items with more everyday wear.

Suffice to say, K-pop is having a ‘moment’, and its influential voices are being routinely amplified. 

So, with the credentials now established, the question remains: how do you dress like a K-pop king? 

Build Your K-pop Wardrobe 
Want to groove to the sartorial rhythms of K-pop? Make it loud. 

Bold colour palettes, audacious patterns, whimsical prints, and vintage Americana all illuminate the resounding stylistic hallmarks of K-pop. 

Embodying the ever-growing conflux of luxury and streetwear, K-pop kids often pair New York Yankees baseball caps and Levi’s with more high-end items from Gucci and Burberry.

Oversized sunglasses and bomber jackets are often paired with tighter denim jeans, while accessories are a must – think maximalist bracelets and over-the-top silverware. Hoodies, long sleeves, and varsity jackets all deliver aspects of Americana, while luxe fabrics and skinny, angled suits give K-pop its own distinct vernacular. In terms of sneakers, the Vans Sk8-Hi, Chuck Taylors, and any kind of Nike are bullet-proof.