24/09/2024
10 Korean Fall Fashion Trends 2024
As the crisp air of fall begins to set in, it’s time to put away the short sleeves and start thinking about updating your wardrobe. After a hot summer experienced globally, the arrival of cooler weather offers a perfect excuse to explore new fashion trends. This year, K-dramas like “Lovely Runner, Love Next Door” are welcoming the romantic fall vibes, making it the ideal time to refresh your look.
The best thing about the fall season is that it’s cold enough to have fun with layering. As shown by our favorite K-idols, one of the most defining fall trends for the year is layering oversized outerwear on collared tops to elevate basic clothing. By experimenting with such pieces, you can transform your wardrobe into a newfound source of confidence.
Also you’ll love how easily fall pieces can transition into spring and even winter, making them versatile additions to your wardrobe. This year, trends like Suede and Balletcore have taken center stage, and now it’s your turn to welcome these styles, just like your favorite K-idols.
Ready to update autumn wardrobe? Discover the latest Korean fall fashion trends of 2024 from a Korean living in Korea, who’s been closely watching the styles emerging since the beginning of September! Add a few key pieces for a stylish and cozy season!
Table of Contents
- Leather Jacket
- Flannel Shirt
- Knitted Cardigan
- Sweater Vest
- Demure
- Mary Jane Shoes
- Ball Cap & Bucket Hat
- Wide Denim Pants
- Suede Item
- Rugby Top
(If you live in the Southern hemisphere and are transitioning into spring, head to our previous article on Korean Spring Fashion Trends 2024)
1.Leather Jacket
What is fall without a Leather Jacket? A leather jacket is perhaps one of autumn’s special privileges, something you can truly enjoy during cool weather before it gets too cold. With warm days and chilly evenings, a leather jacket is the perfect way to stay stylish while keeping comfortable.
As seen on Blackpink’s Jisoo, try out different styles with just one leather jacket. The most basic design, the blazer type, is incredibly versatile and pairs well with almost anything, making it a perfect choice for every occasion! For example, you can layer it with a shirt and skirt for a chic look, or pair it with pants in a similar tone for a cohesive look. If you’re thinking about layering it over a coat, take a cue from Solo singer Somi and try a cropped blouson style.
2. Flannel shirt
Next up on our roster of Korean fall fashion trends is the Flannel Shirt. Rather than flashy designs, the 2024 fall trend focuses on a calm and simple style. Korean designers have opted for classic check patterns this autumn, signaling a return to basics.
This fall, the check pattern shirt is incredibly versatile and can match popular styles like ‘Y2K’, ‘geek chic’, and ‘western look’. Style it with a denim skirt and ballet shoes like Red Velvet’s Joy, or keep it simple with black pants like ITZY’s Yuna.
Depending on how you style it with items like glasses, western boots, or Bermuda shorts, pull off a trendy look!
Tip: Koreans are already wearing these shirts on picnics to places like the Han River. How about adding a flannel shirt to your look for your next picnics?”
3. Knitted Cardigan
Fashion icons today are no strangers to layering cardigans. The Knitted Cardigan has been in the fashion spotlight for so long, there are even songs about it. This year, the knit cardigan look is once again set to be a hit. People who dress well don’t rely on a lot of items or complicated layers. So, what you really need right now is just one simple, slightly oversized knit in a beautiful color. That’s all it takes!
With the different types of cardigans to choose from, the top two popular ones are those worn by NCT’s Jaemin and Nmixx’s Haewon: the boyfriend and the bolero, respectively.
For a soft girl look, it is best to layer a flowy dress underneath a boxy boyfriend cardigan. Additionally, a tight bolero cardigan goes along with a ribbed racerback. And to catch up with 2024 trends, why not try a cropped cardigan or one that is uniquely designed, like a see-through or long cardigan?
4. Sweater Vest
As we venture into the world of layering, The Sweater Vest is a must. Since 2020, this “grandparent” trend has been taking the world by storm. What sets this sleeveless sweater apart from other trends is that it doesn’t take away from an outfit’s simplicity. With its low-cut neckline, it can be layered on top of a button-down shirt or a detachable collar. Try to play with different cuts and sizes to create a visual wow factor.
Steal Korea’s hottest rising star, Byeon Woo-seok’s effortless look by coordinating blue tones, especially if you live in a hot climate. If you prefer a more polished look, like what Blackpink’s Jennie and Straykids’s Felix wore on the Korean variety show, layer a white shirt or T-shirt underneath.
5. Demure
Demure is all about avoiding “too much” and keeping a calm, simple look. This fashion trend started from TikTok and is expected to be popular this F/W season in Korea and many other countries. Korean fashion fans are getting tired of loud and flashy styles. As a result, the new focus is on dressing simply.
This trend aligns with the growing popularity of minimalism and office wear, allowing people to look stylish without drawing too much attention. You can easily incorporate Demure style into your office wardrobe, just like Son Na-eun, combining simple elegance with professionalism.
Before autumn even began, BLACKPINK’s Rosé was already embracing Demure outfits. Start Getting your wardrobe ready now before fall fully kicks in.
6. Mary Jane Shoes
In 2024, the Balletcore look gained popularity among K-idols. However, it was difficult for everyday Koreans to pull off, so it didn’t become a widespread trend. Instead, Mary Jane shoes, which look similar to ballet flats, started gaining popularity. In Hip spots like Seongsu-dong, super popular with Korea’s MZ generation, Mary Jane shoes are everywhere!
Mary Jane shoes are known for their round toe and a strap across the top of the foot. These shoes are versatile, with IVE’s Wonyoung pairing them well with girlcore styles, adding a romantic touch when taking photos in autumn leaves. You can also wear them casually, like Red Velvet’s Seulgi does. The romantic fashion trends inspired by balletcore are expected to continue into the fall season, and starting with shoes is the easiest way to adopt the trend.
7. Ball Cap & Bucket Hat
Elevate your outfit by accessorizing it with either a Ball Cap or a Bucket Hat. These two caps can add that extra element to any outfit, making it look more stylish and complete. The classic ball cap gives off a casual yet polished vibe, perfect for those effortless, laid-back looks. On the other hand, the trendy bucket hat adds a touch of street style, often seen on K-pop idols, blending seamlessly with various outfits.
If you want to add a bit more flair, swap the ball cap for a bucket hat to achieve that cool, K-pop-inspired street style. Take a look at the styles of Aespa’s Ningning and Itzy’s Ryujin!
Want more style inspiration? Take cues from BTS or IU. For a sporty, laid-back vibe, wear a ball cap with a hoodie and joggers, just like BTS often does. Recreate IU’s casual yet chic look by pairing a Bucket cap with a checkered shirt and denim for a relaxed, youthful aesthetic.
Whether you’re aiming for a dressed-up or dressed-down look this fall, these caps are the perfect accessories to complete your style!
8. Wide Denim Pants
Wide Denim Pants are continuously on the rise! Not only is it stylish and comfortable, but it’s also great for covering up lower body concerns. So, how could anyone resist wide jeans? From straight-leg styles to flared fits and cargo details, wide denim is expected to dominate the streets this fall. In Korea, comfortable and stylish fits like straight-leg and wide-leg pants are expected to stay trendy for the next few years, just as they were in the past, taking over skinny jeans. These days, it’s hard to spot skinny jeans in Korea.
Wide-leg jeans go great with oversized tops, suede, and check patterns, making them a must-have. Dark denim, like deep blue or raw denim, is perfect for the fall/winter season. You can also wear it lightly under a knit like BTS’ Suga.
Or try wearing different types of wide denim with your friends, just like NewJeans!
Tip: Thicker jeans are perfect for colder days. Denim will be a big part of this fall’s fashion, and thick jeans will keep you warm through winter!
9. Suede Item
What about investing in Suede, the must-have item for this fall and winter? The suede trend began last year, expanding from shoes to jackets this spring. A suede jacket is expected to become a classic item this fall, continuing the trend. Many clothing stores in Korea are already dressing their mannequins in suede jackets.
As seen on Red Velvet’s Seulgi, pairing a suede jacket with jeans creates a stylish street look. Alternatively, style it with a simple T-shirt and pants for a look inspired by Huening Kai or K-drama characters. That way, you’ll achieve a dandy look.
Colors are a great way to reflect the changing seasons. If spring is about fresh greens and blues, then autumn is all about browns.
Additionally, A Suede Bag is also a great choice. The suede material will remain in trend even during the winter, so there’s no need to put it away in your closet after fall. A suede bag is versatile, making it suitable for both casual and office wear.
Tip: Add accessories to your suede bag, just like K-idols, to express your personality!
10. Rugby Top
The striped Rugby Top, which was a staple on the runways of top designers this spring, is making a comeback this fall. A rugby top, known for blending casual and classic styles, originated in England as a way to distinguish rugby from football. That’s why, although it’s sportswear, it carries a certain refined and elegant vibe. If you’re looking for a lightweight long-sleeve option before the weather gets colder, a rugby top is a great choice.
For example, (G)I-DLE’s Shuhua styled her rugby top, featuring subtle stripes, with a midi skirt. Meanwhile, Stray Kids’ Bang Chan rocked an oversized rugby top. Don’t hesitate to play around with bold patterns, just like Straykids’s Bang Chan does. You know what they say: Go Big or Go Home!
We hope you got some inspiration from this year’s Korean fall fashion trends to revamp your wardrobe for autumn. With South Korea’s strong impact on the world of fashion, it is possible to predict future global fashion trends by simply observing their streetwear. As these clothing pieces are wearable daily and used all over South Korea’s capital, it is absolutely safe to start investing in them! Let us know your thoughts on the Korean autumn fashion trends in the comment section below.
If you want to know more about Korean fashion trends all year round, you can check out our seasonal posts for 2024 on our blog page.