Cop your favorite Hallyu stars’ wardrobe with these designer pieces

Before falling for K-dramas’ feel-good, rich-boy-falls-for-average-girl storylines, or K-pop’s bop songs, Hallyu lovers were first captivated by these stars’ visuals.

The Hallyu wave has been showing no signs of stopping or even slowing down. From TV shows to music, food to travel, people everywhere are smitten by all things Korean.

This phenomenon of the ever-increasing popularity of South Korean entertainment and pop culture started back in the 1990s. The world fell in love with K-dramas like Stairway to Heaven and Boys Over Flowers and, to this day, continues to fangirl or fanboy over global K-pop groups like BTS, Blackpink, and more of what’s to come.

K-pop group Aespa is one of the global ambassadors of French fashion house Louis Vuitton. Photo: Louis Vuitton/Instagram

But before their feel-good, rich-boy-falls-for-average-girl storylines or bop songs you can’t help but dance or sing to, Hallyu lovers were first captivated by these stars’ visuals. Remember how suddenly, people began taking the 10-step skincare to get glass skin, or how many women started dyeing their hair bright brown or a bold red? Yup, that’s exactly how it started.

Then there’s also the Korean stars’ experimental yet chic fashion style. You’d see it almost everywhere—in their music videos, K-dramas, films, and even as they fly out of an airport. Korean celebrities dress to impress—they always make it a point to showcase their sleek and fashion-forward styles, turning many of them into global ambassadors of luxury powerhouses.

Prada ambassadors ENHYPEN attend the Prada SS24 Womenswear Show in Milan. Photo: Prada/Instagram

Fans, meanwhile, love to peg them as inspirations for their new wardrobe. Of course, Filipinos aren’t excluded. That’s why we at The Post have rounded up some of the most talked-about designer pieces Hallyu stars have been wearing and where you can cop them to emulate your idol’s fashion flair.

Gentle Monster Her 01 sunglasses

Let’s start off with the basic: Gentle Monster sunglasses. The Korean Eyewear brand was founded by Hankook Kim in 2011, inspired by the South Koreans’ desire to have small faces. This gave him the idea that producing oversized eyewear with low bridge noses could satisfy his market’s desires. 

Son Ye Jin dons her Gentle Monster Her 01 sunnies in two scenes in the hit K-drama ‘Crash Landing on You.’ Photo: TVN/Crash Landing on You 

Gentle Monster caught the world’s eye when Hallyu superstar Son Ye Jin wore the label’s Her 01 sunnies in the hit K-drama Crash Landing on You. The oversized square sunglasses are embellished with three rose gold bullet-shaped pins on the lenses and complemented with the brand’s logo on the temples.

Gentle Monster Her 01 sunglasses (P13,650). Photo: gentlemonster.com

Filipino Hallyu fans like you can channel your inner Hallyu star by getting your own Her 01 sunglasses for P13,650 on the brand’s website here. And in case you didn’t know, the latest in the eyewear brand’s offerings is a collaboration with Blackpink member Jennie, dubbed Jentle Salon. It comprises eight different frames and 11 customizable charms at the temple.

Find these collections and more on the Gentle Monster website or in its Manila flagship store in Shangri-La The Fort in BGC.

Bucket hats

They were hip-hop icons in the 1990s and now, bucket hats are back (and here to stay) as an in-demand Korean fashion item. 

Bucket hats, also known as fisherman hats, are a favorite of many for their functionality and form that goes with any style. But before anything else, this popular headwear was introduced in the 1900s to protect Ireland’s fishermen from the sun and unpredictable climate when they’re out in the sea.

Today, many Hallyu stars have been wearing bucket hats on and off-cam. They match them with almost anything—from casual cotton tees, hoodies, and polos to cardigans, blazers, and trench coats.  

Just take a look at how EXO star Kai jazzed up his ‘fit, consisting of a Gucci flannel plaid shirt and logo cotton shirt, with a GG Canvas hat. The beige sun hat features the brand’s double G monogrammed canvas embellished with brown leather trims. It comes with a P39,000 price tag and can be found in Gucci stores in Manila and Cebu,

Gucci GG Canvas hat (P39,000). Photo: Gucci.com

Korean rapper Jay Park is likewise a fan of the fedora hats of the same label. In his Instagram post below, the Gucci global ambassador grooved to his track Like I Do wearing a Jumbo GG bucket hat. 

Gucci Jumbo GG bucket hat (P26,000). Photo: farfetch.com

The Italy-made headwear has a pattern that features Guccio Gucci’s initials in a larger size than those on the conventional Gucci Diamante monogram. It is made out of wool for added warmth. You can add it to your collection for approximately P26,000 on Farfetch’s website.

Short skirts

When it comes to fashion, K-pop girl groups are best known for their mix of sweet yet edgy styles. Short skirts take much of the spotlight, with almost every band—from Girls Generation and 2NE1 to BLACKPINK, Red Velvet, and TWICE—rocking this wardrobe staple in music videos, concerts, photo shoots, and more.

Big K-pop fans know for sure that short skirts have been a big part of the K-pop craze. One of the easiest ways to turn yourself into an idol is to load up your closet with different kinds of micro minis.

Lalisa is giving a master class on K-pop fashion with her CELINE ensemble. Photo: Lisa/Instagram

Celine Trapeze miniskirt (P61,610). Photo: celine.com
Blackpink’s Jisoo goes full-on sweet with her Dior outfit. Photo: Jisoo/Instagram

An example is this Celine Trapeze miniskirt worn by Blackpink’s Lisa when she graced the label’s April 2023 event along with fellow Hallyu stars Park Bo-gum and BTS star V. The high-waisted off-white garment comes with two front pockets, two patch pockets at the back, and 8 Triomphe snap buttons. It is made in Italy using 100% lambskin and comes with a P61,610 price tag. It is available for purchase here

Dior CD Button skort (P130,000). Photo: dior.com

Fellow Blackpink member Jisoo also shared a chic way to style mini skirts using her black Dior CD Button Skort. The All Eyes on Me hitmaker wore it during the Miss Dior exhibit in Seoul in May 2023. The pair of shorts, which is made to resemble a skirt, is made out of wool and silk and embellished with a black CD button at the waist. It is up for sale for $2,200 (P130,000) on the Dior website.

Sheer dress

Apart from short skirts, many female Hallyu stars have been showcasing their fearless and daring fashion style with sheer dresses. This see-through trend spans centuries, starting from the 1800s when women began wearing dresses with lightweight translucent fabrics that exposed their bodies. It’s a look that has since been developed and showcased by luxury fashion houses, like Saint Laurent, Dior, Prada, and Marc Jacobs, as a closet must-have.

Fashion-forward Hallyu celebrities are not missing out on the transparent clothing trend. Several Korean actresses, including Han So Hee and Lee Sung Kyung, once turned heads with their barely-there outfits on the red carpet. 

Blackpink’s star Jennie unleashes her classy and sultry style through Christian Esber’s striking piece. Photo: Jennie Ruby Jane/Instagram
Christian Esber semi-sheer full-length dress (P43,335). Photo: christophereber.com

Among those who made a buzz in recent months is Blackpink’s Jennie, who graced The Weekend’s birthday bash last February in a striking Christian Esber semi-sheer dress. The chic ensemble comprises a silk cropped tube top and a matching mini skirt underneath a sheer long-sleeve dress with gathered detailing.

A full-length version of the dress retails at $737 (P43,335) on the Farfetch website

Chunky shoes

Next to miniskirts, a trend that continues to dominate the fashion world is the chunky shoe trend. Any ‘90s kid would know that these eccentric platform shoes defined their era. (Think: Spice Girls’ bulky trainers and elevated glitter boots.) And now, the beloved shoe trend continues to gain popularity, especially with K-pop idols seen out and about in their stylish oversized soles. 

It comes as no wonder as these footwear can instantly elevate any look with their bold designs. More than that, these shoes have evolved into everyday wear that provides comfort and versatility, like those offered by high-end brands Alexander McQueen, Christian Louboutin, Balenciaga, Gucci, Dior, and more.

Red Velvet’s Irene elevates her look with a Prada Re-nylon boots with pouch. Photo: IRENE/Instagram
Prada Re-nylon boots with pouch (P140,000). Photo: prada.com

Take it from Red Velvet’s Irene who strutted during the launch of Prada’s 2020 Re-Nylon collection in her chunky Re-nylon boots with pouch. The pair of elevated boots is made out of leather and nylon and comes with a removable pouch decorated with an enameled metal triangle logo.

It fetches $1,770 (P140,000) on the Farfetch website

The new lifestyle.