Apgujeong vs. Hongdae
Hongdae fashion: Lee Ji-eun (20, student) A black jacket over a white sweatshirt creates a punky look when paired with a sheer, floaty skirt.
Apgujeong fashion: Son Ji-hyeon (23, model) The smooth texture of the champagne-colored jacket contrasts with the furry earmuffs.
While on any given day both areas are represented by the fashion-conscious strutting their stuff in the latest trendy outfits, the representative styles of the two areas are as different as night and day.
As we always do at the beginning of each month, the JoongAng Ilbo hit the streets to find out how the fashion-conscious in the two areas are expressing themselves.
The Apgujeong area, which is known for its upscale vibe, is characterized by a metropolitan trend. The knee-length skirts with crisp lines matched with short jackets or fur vests, which are popular this winter, provide a fashionable yet professional look. It’s a versatile look that’s suitable for the office or a night out with friends. Another look is the mix and match of tight skinny jeans with short jackets for a trendy, going-out look.
As you might have noticed, the dominant color this winter is black. However, wearing too much can make you look like you’ve just been to a funeral. One way to splash some color into your dull wardrobe is to accessorize with colorful vests, bags, shoes and scarves, among others. Pairing a different colored vest or scarf can add some flair to a toned-down look, causing others to focus on one item.
This type of styling is called “one point” styling in Korea and as the trendy look in the Apgujeong area, it creates an appropriately luxurious feel.
The Hongdae area, known for its artsy vibe, is dominated by the vintage look at the moment, a flexible style that allows modern and classic elements to live side by side. The vintage look can provide a natural mix of contrasting items.
Let’s face it, these vintage items when examined individually can look outdated and out of place in your closet. For example, that vintage plaid shirt in your possession could just as well have belonged to one of your uncles, and the thick knit sweaters and fur accessories from the drawers of your granny’s closet, they could also be the favorite items of elderly relatives. No matter, these items help conjure up fond images of the past and at the same time reflect a warm and comfortable style.
In addition to the vintage look, a “free styling” look has also become popular in the Hongdae area and no, it doesn’t involve people spitting out rhymes over drumbeats. It’s a style derived from the Harajuku area in Japan. The area located near a train station of the same name is known for its wild and free styles. The Harajuku fashion, which involves “cosplay,” or people dressed up in costumes of game and animation characters as well as a wild mix-and-match combinations, can be deemed extreme by many. The Hongdae style does not take the fashion concept to the limit but it does show some interesting mixing-and-matching of contrasting pieces.
For example, a representative example of free styling may be a leather jacket, with its wild and rebellious image, matched with a lace skirt, which is at the completely opposite end of the fashion spectrum.
Another popular trend in the Hongdae area is the layered look, which creates a relaxed feel through overlapping fabrics, patterns and accessories.
By Seo Jeong-min JoongAng Ilbo [jason@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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