15 Cozy Korean Fashion Finds Seoul Locals Love

As a Korean American travel writer and editor who has spent much of her adult life traveling to and from Seoul, I’ve long known that Koreans are stylish year-round, but they really shine during fall and winter because they are absolute masters at layering.

I’ve been in Seoul for over a month now and have seen so many chic yet practical outfits that are ideal for this time of year. From knowing where to add an unexpected pop of color to playing with different textures and proportions, Koreans have got layering down to a science. And soon you will, too, as I’ve found 15 fall staples you can wear on repeat as the weather changes. From cozy sweaters and turtlenecks to winter coats and wide-leg pants, here’s how to dress like a Seoulite.

Thread & Supply Rugby Stripe Polo Sweater

Let’s start with the MVP of my fall wardrobe right now: the rugby shirt. It’s every bit as versatile as a Breton-striped shirt, but it packs a bit more of a punch thanks to its bolder stripes and distinct collar. I typically wear my rugby tops (yes, I have several now) with jeans during the day, and then layer a jacket on top when temperatures drop. The other day, I wrapped one around my shoulders as a preppy accent to an otherwise neutral outfit. Therein lies the beauty of the rugby shirt: it packs a simple statement on its own, but can also act as a fun layer. 

Nordstrom Lyocell & Wool Turtleneck

Do as the Seoulites do and layer a slim-fitting turtleneck underneath an open collared sweater or a button-down shirt while we’re still in these transitional weeks between fall and winter. The key is to find one that doesn’t add too much bulk to your silhouette like this lyocell and wool option from Nordstrom. Available in black, white, gray, and red, it’s surprisingly warm, thanks to the wool in the blend. Trust me, you will get so much mileage from a turtleneck top like this.

Everlane The Oversized Polo in Alpaca 

Speaking of open collared sweaters, I’ve seen many Korean women styling them with turtleneck tops in a contrasting shade. Think: a beige sweater with a red turtleneck peeking out from underneath or a gray sweater paired with a black turtleneck.This polo-like sweater from Everlane is cozily oversized without drowning you in fabric, and it’s made with responsibly sourced alpaca wool, recycled nylon, and wool to keep you warm — never frumpy. 

Everlane The Double-breasted Coat in Wool

Neutral outerwear or, more specifically, a sleek camel or taupe coat seems to be a wardrobe staple for every well-dressed local I’ve encountered on the subways and streets of Seoul. Look for details like a notched collar and dropped shoulders to ensure a relaxed yet polished fit, no matter what you’re wearing underneath. 

Everlane The Trouser in Buttersoft

Fact: a pair of wide-leg trousers can elevate any ensemble. Yes, even on a 5-foot-2-inch frame like mine. In fact, for my fellow petites out there, I’d say that wide-leg trousers can give the illusion of length when paired with a more fitted top or even a loose sweater; just give the front a little tuck to balance out the proportions. Made from 100-percent Tencel Lyocell fabric, these Everlane pants with subtle pleating balance form with function. You can get them in black, charcoal gray, olive green, and classic khaki, but I’m partial to charcoal lately as a nice counter to the reds I’ve been favoring on top. 

Weekend Max Mara Elvy Wide Leg Cotton Cargo Pants

Another wide-leg bottom I’ve been spotting on stylish commuters in Seoul are cargo pants. Lest you think they’re too dowdy or difficult to style, I assure you, they look just as good with a rugby shirt as they do with a more fitted cardigan. I recently purchased a chocolate brown pair from a local shop and I get compliments every time I wear them, which is at least three times a week. Not to worry, I found this similar pair from Nordstrom and another, more affordable version from Topshop as well. 

Everlane The Crew Cardigan in Alpaca

The cardigan’s appeal is universal in every way. I’ve seen baby-faced students near Hongik University wear cropped versions with baggy pants and sneakers, and sleek aunties in the Gangnam district wearing longer cardigans with fitted slacks and loafers. Personally, I split the difference with a length that hits right above my hips and in brighter colors like this berry red option from Everlane, which adds a cheery accent to my otherwise neutral outerwear.

Madewell Wool-Blend Knit Beanie

As a recent transplant from Los Angeles, my relatives have been warning me about the extremely cold winters that await me here in Korea. The first line of defense, they say, is a warm coat. The second is a thick beanie, preferably in a fun color like this golden topper from Madewell. Made from a supersoft wool blend, it has a chunky rib knitting to it that makes it feel comfortably snug on my deceptively large head. I’m thinking about picking up another color (perhaps lilac?) to complement my camel coat. 

Lucky Brand Cloud Plaid Boyfriend Shirt

A relaxed plaid button up is one of the easiest layers pretty much anyone can wear, which is why I now have them in several colorways. I’ve worn them half buttoned over a cropped tank and jeans during warmer fall days and layered them over a turtleneck when it’s chillier out. I’ve also seen chic locals tie their plaid shirts around their waists underneath their coats and sweaters so it breaks up a monotone color palette and adds a little definition to their silhouettes. 

Madewell The Essential Bucket Tote

After years of mostly carrying mini bags, I’ve recently upgraded to a larger leather number from a trendy Korean brand called Roh. It’s roomy enough to fit all of my daily essentials and, despite this, still retains a sleek appearance. Luckily, this simple carryall style seems to be trending globally. I’ve found near-identical versions from Coach and this slightly more affordable option from Madewell. With no flashy patterns, logos, or embellishments to the bag’s design, it’s a versatile piece I know I’ll carry for many years to come. (But if you want to decorate the bag as the Koreans are doing lately, you can add a cute charm or two to the strap.)

Adidas Gazelle Indoor Sneaker

It’s safe to say that 2024 is the year of Adidas — and the craze is at a fever pitch in Korea right now. I’m going to be honest with you, I’m more of a Nike gal myself, but having seen some seriously stylish ensembles featuring Gazelles and Sambas, I get the appeal. The triple-striped shoes look especially cool in unexpected shades like shadow fig, a dusty plum hue that works surprisingly well as a neutral. Most importantly, as my cousins attest, these shoes were made for walking. Just note that Adidas tend to run large, so they recommend going at least a half size down.

Levi’s Faux Leather & Faux Shearling Bomber Jacket

Presenting two fall trends in one jacket: leather and shearling. I’ve seen one of these jackets on display at pretty much every mall and shop in Seoul, as well as on plenty of fashionable civilians. The fuzzy shearling adds a soft contrast against the rugged leather and keeps you warm.

Favorite Daughter The Collegiate Graphic Hoodie

I’m happy to know that whether you’re in Los Angeles or Seoul, we can all agree that a soft hoodie is an essential building block of every fall wardrobe. I’ve seen many posh locals wear theirs underneath a sleeker coat to dress things up just a touch. I’d recommend starting with a hoodie in a neutral tone like this heather gray option from Favorite Daughter; it’s the ideal length, offering a little coverage over your butt, and the larger drawstrings on the hood add a nice detail.

J.Crew Stowe Puffer Jacket With PrimaLoft

Want to hear something cute? Apparently people refer to long black puffer coats as “kimbap coats” or “kimbap padding” because of their uncanny resemblance to the popular dish. Cute as that is, I’d rather not look like a walking seaweed roll if I can help it. Luckily, sleeker puffers are also in abundance here. With a slimmer fit through the body and a contrasting collar, this style of coat keeps you warm without sacrificing on style. 

Madewell The Darted Barrel-leg Jean

Loose, wide-leg pants have been trending for a while now, but for those who prefer a slightly more fitted look (or for those occasions when you want to dress things up a little), barrel-leg jeans are another popular pick in Seoul. I appreciate this version from Madewell because the barrel shape is subtle and it comes in both petite and tall sizing. On that note: they tend to run a bit large, so I recommend sizing down.

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