It’s easy to wake up every day and put on the same boring uniform of leggings, an oversized sweater and combat boots (for girls), and sweats or jeans and a T-shirt (for guys). These outfits require little effort and are definitely on the more comfortable side, but it’s important to remember our fashion choices are very much a sense of self-expression.
Binghamton University is home to 2,200 international students from 100 different countries. And if you haven’t noticed, many international students have a very distinct, unique and trendy fashion sense.
In particular, South Korean style has made its way to the States. The style, it seems, varies between neon, bright clothing and vintage, flea market style. Trending now are platform shoes, black leather skirts and open shoulder tops. Boys and girls gravitate toward bright-colored Nike and New Balance shoes, but also enjoy simple bohemian style clothing.
Release took it to the streets to ask some South Korean students about their fashion choices: what they are wearing, who they are wearing and how they pull it off.
Cher Lee, a freshman majoring in psychology, explained that she and her friends take inspiration in their clothing choices from popular South Korean TV characters, but says she likes American clothing, though it doesn’t match the Asian style.
“Korean people,” Lee said, “pay a lot of attention to cute, colorful character things.”
Hye Mi Ha, a junior from Seoul majoring in art history, describes the clothing she sees in South Korea as “vintage modern.”
Ha, looking very put-together in a semi-sheer green and yellow blouse, dark pants and brown leather laceless oxfords, which she bought in South Korea, said she prefers wearing blouses and shops in both the U.S. and South Korea.
Anna Lee, a junior majoring in economics, is from Queens, but her parents are from South Korea. Lee spent a month in Seoul one summer and became acquainted with the local fashion and shopping choices. In Seoul, clothes shopping is not hard to come by. Dongdaemun Market in Seoul’s fashion district is a sprawling 10-block shopping mecca filled with stores in flea market style. Dongdaemun is open 24 hours a day with cheap but nice clothing.
High-fashion designers are twice as expensive in South Korea, but people still buy their clothing.
“Image is very important in Korea,” Lee said.
Online shopping is also big for South Koreans. One popular website, Cherry Koko, has many simple but stylish pieces. The clothing is very western, but still retains that Asian flair. It’s street style meets preppy meets modern, if you can imagine, and it totally works.
At a state school with so many students, we should pay extra attention to how we present ourselves because it sets us apart. Take inspiration from the trends you see around you. When you find yourself putting on the same long-sleeve T-shirt you always wear, stop and think, “What would that super fetch girl I see walking on the Spine at 2:20 p.m. every day wear?” and go from there.