Korean (Shoe) Fashion

Here's the question:

I live about twenty minutes east of Wonju and am having a few issues with shoes. It's not the size, but the style. Out here we only have shoes that my grandfather stopped wearing thirty years ago. I know a trip in Seoul would do the trick, but what can I expect to find?

A trip into Seoul (Myeong-dong, Gangnam, Itaewon, Apgujeong, COEX) would certainly give you some more styles and since your feet aren't freakishly large, it'd just be a matter of finding the pair(s) you like. I've had two (male) friends in Korea that spent most of their money on shoes. I'm not talking about formal shoes either. They spent thousands on sneakers. One of them actually posted his pictures on Facebook. That's weird as hell, but it's a least testament to the variety you can find.*

That variety can be a blessing and a curse. I recently saw a pair of Wallabees being sold in COEX which certainly gave me a flashback took me back to my high school days of attempting to re-live Dazed and Confused. It was honestly a little surprising since the hippie meme is a relatively uncommon sight in Korea. While I don't sport the look anymore, that would have been quite a blessing over a decade ago. The curse, however,  is the resurgence of high-tops. Christ, they're ugly. I blame 2NE1...and Zach Morris.

Over the past couple years, I've seen Korean shoe fashion get progressively worse. To understand the shoes, you've gotta look at the rest of the threads.

Korean men pretty much have three looks aside from school uniforms.

1.The College Student (19-26 yrs old)

The college student is the most aesthetically diverse of the group. Just like their female classmates, male college students are dying to express themselves through fashion or hair. Some dye their locks while others attempt a shaved G-Dragon-esque doo. Some get in touch with their hip-hop roots and go for the urban look. There's nothing that says "I'm hard" like showing your colors on the mean streets of Gangnam. The most recent trend are the skinny jeans. Man, I hate skinny jeans. Since when was looking like a sissy a good look for men? Luckily, most college students dress pretty down-to-earth.

2. The Businessman (26-55)

The businessmen range from clip-on ties to really classy shit. For the most part, they like the dark, slightly-feminine leather shoes which, of course, compliment the shiny suits. 

3. The Ahjussi (55+)

Depending on retirement age, the ahjussi look is a mixture of 70's upholstery and over-priced outdoor gear.

All of them are unique from the other, yet every man must experience each style before moving on to the next. Women, on the other hand, are much more complex than men, so I'll just mention a few complaints.

Boots are huge for Korean women. Some of them are nice and others are pretty hideous. The UGG's that I hated seeing in the early aughts in college have been taking over Korea for the past couple years. I've gotten used to those at this point. There's also been a swing away from the skort to the skirt, but that changes so often that I'm not sure. 

You see,  I'm a Gangnam guy. I've always lived in Gangnam. I work on the main drag and live one street off of that drag. I'm bombarded with Gangnam fashion. It has its ups and downs. I get to see see mostly classy fashion all the time and that's okay, but I never get to see the "hipster" college scene that takes place in Hongdae. I also don't stay out late, so the late-night party scene is lost on me at this point. I'm usually pretty surprised when I see a woman dressed even slightly different than the other thousands on the streets.

If you want fashion, head over to Feetmanseoul.com. Hurt's got his shit together.

Bottom line is that once in Seoul, you'll have more than enough options for shoes.

*I've heard some expats complain about shoe sizes on here and I'm sure there are places you can find big shoes, but that's not the question.

Who Wants to be an Ajumma?

Here's the question:

Halloween is next week and I want to be an ajuma. Any ideas on how to
make me the world's greatest ajuma?

Aside from snark in me that wants to chide you for not being very original, morphing into the world's greatest ajumma takes years and years of line-cutting and subway-pushing, but there a few accessories that can help.


To start with, I assume you're talking about a 할머니/아줌마 hybrid. These are usually the one's who people dress up as because they are typically the funniest.


Perm

If you don't have a perm, then you're not an ajumma. It's just that simple. There are many different styles you can sport though, so I would recommend heading to the local 주부 hairstylist in your neighborhood and start scoping out what works for you. The curlier or more dyed the better, but remember, there are varying degrees and forms of the ajumma. Your perm says a lot about you.


Eyebrow Tattoos

This one is simple. Even though the lady in the photo above didn't go for it, you should. All ajumma's must have temporary eyebrow tattoos. It'll run you about 80,000 won, but it lasts for a year.






Tacky Shirts

Take another look at that hybrid ajumma. That is pure ajumma goodness right there. She's got the furrow, the umbrella, the electric-looking collared shirt, the perm and the eyebrow tattoos. She's amazing. Finding the perfect shirt is very important. Flowers, bright stripes or animal-prints are a must and if you combine the shirt with baggy, black or purple pants with an elastic waistband, well, you might as well just move to the front of the line. You've earned it.

Active Ajumma

Have you ever seen an ajumma just resting? Doubtful and if you did, they were likely hitting their backs, stretching or getting ready for a fully decked-out hike around Seoul Grand Park. But most of the time, they're carrying bags of fruit or getting ready to dig around in some roadside soil looking for roots, but they're always on the move. The point is that you need to look busy. I would recommend buying some gloves, carrying heavy bags or maybe you could even prepare some vegetables just in case you find a good place to setup on the sidewalk.

Protection from the sun/wind/air

The hybrid ajumma hates the elements. She doesn't like earth, wind or fire, so she protects herself. She might have her entire head and face covered or she simply might be going for the sun visor.

The rest of it is up to you. I would suggest that you should head to Dongdaemun. There's a lot of great finds out there. For ajumma behavior, I think a visit to the authority on ajumma-related subjects would be worth it.

Any readers want to add something?

What to pack for a year in Korea...

Here's the question:

I know I still have a few months before my intended departure but i was just wondering what kinds of things I should start getting together to bring. I already know to bring enough deodorant lol so that is covered but like what other things are there that one might not think to bring and then wish they had? And what is the typical dress for woman both in the work place and around town. I am a tank top and jeans kinda girl and know this would not be acceptable to wear to the school but what is? And if I dressed as I do in Canada around town would I be looked at funny? Just trying to get some ideas here as what would be important to bring clothes wise and for other things too. Like how cold does it get in the winter? How heavy a jacket would i need? I know people there have smaller feet and shoes but i also dont want to weight myself down bringing lots of shoes so as a size 7/8 how hard would it be to get like a pair of runners or something there if i need them? Is it easy enough to find a converter over there or should i buy one here and bring it with me? Any help you can give would be be very useful. THANKS :D

This is actually a really great question and I want to break it down a bit more. First, let's take a look at a basic list for things you might have not thought about.
I pulled this from Jason Cresswell's recruiting website.

When packing for Korea, you will want to make sure that you have all of the essentials. Before going to Korea, a person should be armed with the knowledge of what to bring. Although it is most comfortable to travel light, there are some things that you will want to be sure you have.

Deodorant: Koreans don’t sweat the way Westerners do, so bring a year’s supply of your favorite deodorant. It is now starting to show up on some shelves, and you can find it in black markets if essential, but it will cost you over $10 apiece.

Big towels: Korean towels are generally small and it can be difficult toweling off with what we would consider a hand towel. Again, you can sometimes find them, but you will be happy to have brought one or two bath towels.

Fitted sheets: If you are a fan of fitted sheets, bring your own. Single size is best. Korean sheets are more like a thin blanket thrown over the bed. Those who enjoy their fitted sheets will find it hard to get a hold of them here.

Dental floss: You can get it at the pharmacy, but it is also over-priced because it is not well used.

Condoms: Condoms are available, but are sometimes more expensive. Some foreigners have also complained of a lack of larger sizes and poor lubrication. Plus, you can usually get them for free at your local health unit, so might as well stock up if you are planning on using them. Also, if you are using birth control pills, you should be sure to get a year’s supply before going.

Tampons: Korean women usually wear pads. Tampons are becoming available, but are less common than pads. If you have a tampon that you are comfortable using, you may want to stock up before going.

Shoes and clothes: If you are a larger or taller person, you may have a hard time finding your size. Clothes for larger people are available, but you have to spend some time searching.

Money for your first month: In Korea, you get paid by the month, not every 2 weeks. So, when you arrive, you will have to budget for your first month. Some schools give advances on pay, but you should check with your school. If you have a credit card available, that would also be helpful.

International driver’s license: You may want to drive in Korea, and it is easy to get your international driver’s license by going to your local CAA, AAA, or by contacting your department of transportation. All it takes is a photo and a form, no test required. Note that they are valid for one year.

Passport: Without one, you are not going. If you don’t already have a passport, make it your first priority. You can request a rush order, but there will be a surcharge for this.

Copies of your birth certificate and passport: In the unlikely event that you lose them, copies can speed up the process to get new ones in a foreign country.

Family pictures: Pictures will remind you of home, and may help you deal with loneliness and homesickness.

Books: The flight is long, and having books to read will help you pass the time. Also, you may want to bring a few of the books you have wanted to read with you. English books are available, but not all titles. However, there are websites that have a great selection, and deliver to Korea.

Vehicle care: You should make sure that your vehicle has the appropriate insurance if you plan to keep it. You should also decide where you are going to store it.

Razor blades and shaving cream: Korean people do not have nearly as much facial or body hair as Westerners. Therefore, razor blades and shaving cream are somewhat more expensive than in North America.

Visit family and friends: Although you will be very busy before going, take some time to enjoy being close with people whom you won’t see for a while. You won’t regret having taken time out to do so.

Spices: If you enjoy cooking and have particular spices that you like to use, consider bringing them. There are not a large variety of spices for home cooking in Korea. Koreans mainly use red pepper in most dishes.

Cigarettes: If you are a smoker and enjoy a certain brand, you may want to bring some of this brand along with you. However, it should be noted that Korean cigarettes are far cheaper than those sold in North America.

A gift for your director: Although it is not necessary, a gift for you director would get you off to a great start. Appropriate gifts would be a small bottle of whiskey for a male director, or perfume for a female director. Of course, you can be as creative as you like. This small gesture could go a long way in ensuring a good year.

Money or other items from your country: Many of the students you will teach will never have been outside of Korea. It can be fun for them to see money from another country, or pictures of you and your family. This can also help break the ice with your first class.

This section has mainly concentrated on the things that you should consider bringing that you might not have thought of on your own. There are obviously many more things that you will need to bring. We suggest making your own checklist and packing well in advance. The more prepared you are, the less stress you will feel.

That's a huge list and one that I think is a pretty good start.

And what is the typical dress for woman both in the work place and around town. I am a tank top and jeans kinda girl and know this would not be acceptable to wear to the school but what is? And if I dressed as I do in Canada around town would I be looked at funny?

Great question. You're right that wearing a tank top in school would not be appropriate, but it would be totally okay on the streets. Korean girl fashion depends on age, locale, and about a hundred other things that don't need to be extrapolated upon. Even though Korean girls are showing more and more skin these days and it is totally okay for Western women to do the same, expect to get extended glances (especially at your chest) if you choose to dress "liberally". Gusts of Popular Feeling has talked in length about the average Korean's perception of Western women.

I usually like to tell people not to over-think when packing. Most items can be found here and the ones that can't be found are only a package from home away. If you're worried about luggage weight, call your airline, tell them you're going to be staying abroad for a year or more and they will usually increase your weight allowance. Don't let packing stress you out. You're not going to camp, you're moving to another country.

If anybody has any questions, just send me an email at asktheexpat@yahoo.com or leave a comment