I love to dress up. Just the thought of putting up an ensemble makes me giddy already and honestly, it is what lures me to go to presumably uninteresting events. It makes me happy mixing and matching what’s available in my wardrobe. Not that I have the best ones or that I constantly shop but I like to keep pieces for years since fashion for me, is a rotating wheel. I also tend to overdo things or dress up according to my mood and on ordinary days, find comfort on shirts and jeans. It just goes to say that my style can be a hit or miss sometimes.
My interest in fashion must have rooted from my Mama. She is fabulous herself and has the best eye for the right fit and right color combination. She would dress me up and my sister lovingly and later on allowed us to embrace our own style. I still remember my childhood Christmas days when she would bring me to a boutique and let me pick what I would want to wear for Christmas and New Year.
Now, when this Korea Winter trip became feasible (after we got our visas, yay!), I knew that I have to prepare my outfits. Not just to be stylish but to survive the cold weather which I have very low tolerance to.
I took photos of each set so I won’t forget. A total time-saver!
K-world, pardon me for saying this, but I am not a K-pop or K-drama fan. Although, hands down, I adore Korean fashion. When we were in Gangnam and Itaewon, I have hearts in my eyes seeing slender women with flawless hair and poreless skin, walk the streets in very chic coats and boots. It was amazing! Like the street is a big fashion show! What’s more interesting is that they are not brand-conscious at all, which is perfect for me. I witnessed how the youngsters flood the flea market in Dongmyo and just to myself I exclaimed, “That’s me! I also love the flea markets in Dubai!”
If there’s one benchmark that I hold in my style, it is to wear cheaply bought items with great promise or be thrifty yet fab. I don’t even mind preloved items that is why, I love flea markets. Besides, I get more compliments from my flea picks and it is a great feeling being reminded that it is not always about the price tag.
Here are five outfits that I wore during our trip which you might find useful on your own winter wonderland.
The Comfy Traveler
This is a very basic ensemble. The main idea is to layer and start off with thermals. They are very helpful in fighting off the cold. I always had 4-5 layers on top and 3-4 layers on my bottom. Again, I am cold-intolerant so the layering might be too much. Just try out what works for you.
It was a chilly night in Seoul when I arrived, so my ear muffs (Daiso) and tube scarf (Brands for Less) were comfort pieces. Plus, they are cute too! On top of my oversized hooded sweater (The Wardrobe) is a quilted black jacket and I just wore my old brown boots. My touch screen gloves here is also from Daiso.
The Sophisticated Lass
I had hesitations on wearing thigh-high boots but they proved to be comfortable, warm, classy and they elongate the legs. I got this pair for only Aed25 at the flea market in JLT (this is around Aed100+) online. My Atmosphere coat is also from the flea for only Aed30, almost unused, and my scarf, for only Aed5. I’m so proud of my hauls!
Again, layering is essential and that’s where your old winter clothes come in. The knitted sweater underneath my coat for example, was given to me by my Aunt 7 years ago. It doesn’t matter much what you put underneath, after your thermals, as long as you are comfortable. Just pay more attention to your topmost pieces.
To break the dark colors a bit, I wore my cream bonnet and blue green touch screen gloves, both from Brands for Less.
It is also worth noting to wear an ensemble that would fit your itinerary. This was the day when I wore Hanbok (traditional Korean dress) so all I had to do in order to wear my pair was to remove my bonnet, scarf and coat. The coat was also a good match for my dress.
Our Hanbok are from https://www.instagram.com/gureumi23 They will really transform you into a Korean princess.
The Cute Sensation
Winter clothes can be very expensive but the good thing is, you don’t have to buy everything. This jacket I’m wearing was lent to me by my colleague. What’s also fun in traveling with a group is that you can switch items, such as this bonnet from my brother.
Other flea items on this ensemble is the cute winter dress and fur-lined, thick leggings which I believe achieved the K fashion. To match my scarf and to bring a pop of colour, I wore a thermal pair of socks of the same shade. This ensemble was perfect during our “kids for a day” trip to Everland.
The Street Gal
Have you noticed the coat? It is the same one I wore on The Sophisticated Lass. I just buttoned it down so it will look more like a dress paired with my black denim pants from flea. The boots is by Toms sold in a much cheaper price by Brands for Less. It is a brilliant store with lots of winter stuff. Got our heat packs from there too.
The Korean School Girl
I have envisioned this day, having my moment in this romantic tree-lined path in Nami Island. So if there’s one outfit that I really prepared for, this is it but I promise you, I would have worn my brown boots here instead of kicks. I had no choice though because my feet got so sore from all the previous days’ walks that I had to switch for comfort. Not so bad, eh? I felt younger, lol.
So let’s dissect the outfit. Bonnet and gloves are the same ones I wore in the previous looks. Now, this fur-hooded-dark orange-bubble jacket is the real deal! It is a jackpot item from the flea which I only got for Aed35, in very good condition and all. I also love the fur-lined hood. I’m like a husky.
I doubled my upper and lower thermals here knowing that the place, still with snow traces will be very cold. Next piece I wore is a pink sweater topped by a checkered coat (also from the flea last year), and a scarf at Aed5 from flea, where else?
After the bottom thermals, I wore thick leggings, leg warmers and my black basic skirt.
There goes my five looks which gave me a mountain of laundry, ugh! I enjoyed wearing each one of them, nonetheless.
Actually, to save you a lot of luggage space and kilos, you may just bring one or two sets of winter outfits and the rest you can buy in Seoul. The flea market in Dongmyo and retail shops in Dongdaemun offers a variety of affordable choices. From chic coats and jackets, hoodies, sweaters to pants, leggings, socks, boots, gloves, scarf, bonnets and masks, you name it and they have it all.
For guys, this outfit collection of my brother is also A+!
What’s your favorite look so far?
Bundling up has never been this fun. You can definitely stay warm in style without hurting your pockets.
Enjoy the process of experimenting, exploring and finalising your looks. The only person who can stop you from being you is you, so just express yourself and be happy!
I hope you enjoyed reading through and got some tips and inspiration for your own winter escapade. Please feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions below. Better yet, post your most favorite Winter OOTD!
Kamsahamnida!
sheiskevin 