Korean culture, or the Hallyu wave, has swept the globe like a cultural tsunami, blending addictive K-dramas, chart-topping K-pop, and cinematic masterpieces into everyday obsession. Korean fashion has greatly
influenced global trends by introducing unique and practical styles that resonate deeply with various cultures. It has also found an eager audience in India.
But this wave can be traced back to the late 1990s, with series like ‘Winter Sonata’ creating a buzz. It then exploded worldwide with K-pop bands like BTS and Blackpink, and dramas like Squid Game, and Parasite’s Oscar win, racking up billions in streams and box office. From Seoul’s neon streets to Netflix queues, K-beauty routines, and mukbangs, Korean culture has redefined global trends.
With Korean popstars like Rose, Jennie and Katseye, among others, redefining beauty and fashion, they have become the icons the younger generation look up to. They have also carved a niche for themselves in the luxury fashion space, becoming ambassadors for brands that want to reach out to their audience.
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Gen Z seamlessly combines oversized hoodies, loose trousers, and roomy sweatshirts with denim, mini bags, or chunky sneakers for a laid-back yet stylish look perfect for any occasion. K-dramas have made this relaxed aesthetic iconic, shares a report by Moneycontrol.
K-pop idols have glamorised streetwear, making varsity jackets, chunky sneakers, cargo pants, bucket hats, and graphic tees ubiquitous from malls in Delhi to colleges in Bengaluru. This year, hybrid styling, like pairing cargo pants with a chic blazer or a varsity jacket with a silk skirt, has taken the trend up a notch, appealing to India’s fashion-forward youth.
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K-fashion’s calming pastel palette, including soft mint, muted lavender, butter yellow, and dove grey, paired with clean silhouettes, offers a refreshing alternative to bold prints and heavy layers. The Indian adaptation, featuring pastel co-ords, ribbed tees with wide-leg trousers, linen shirts, and simple dresses, is practical and polished, perfectly suited to India’s climate and culture.
One standout aspect of Korean fashion is its rejection of rigid gender rules. Men don pastels and pearl accessories, women wear oversized blazers and loose jeans, and everyone enjoys mixing silhouettes freely. This resonates strongly with Gen Z in India, who value individuality over stereotypes. Neutral tailoring, unisex hoodies, co-ord sets, and relaxed fits have become everyday essentials.
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The quirky trend of innerwear as outerwear, such as boxer shorts with oversized shirts, visible waistbands, and subtle sagging, has been embraced by Indian street style. Paired with oversized tees, cropped jackets, or structured blazers, this look adds instant character to an outfit, making it popular among Indian creators for Reels.
K-drama office fashion has infused workwear with glamour, inspiring Indian women to adopt pinstriped suits, double-breasted jackets, pastel blazers, and chic mini-bags. This polished and subtly glamorous style is ideal for millennials and Gen Z entering corporate life.
Social media has amplified aesthetic-based fashion, where the “soft girl” look with cardigans and pleated skirts coexists with the “clean girl” aesthetic of slick buns, simple gold jewellery, and monochrome fits. Cottagecore, known for its flowy dresses and poetic simplicity, remains popular, allowing young Indians to express their mood and identity effortlessly.
