Amidst all the political turmoil and economic sanctions, North Korea remains perplexed and isolated from the outer world. Its people dress according to the norms laid out by the government. Although their clothing is quite utilitarian and drab, it serves them well in the country’s notoriously cold winters. In North Korea, style is subdued and ruled by the pages of the Kim Jong-Un approved lookbook. Owing to the influence of the Soviet Union, the country’s traditional clothing has evolved towards a noticeably utilitarian aesthetic.
It would be fair to classify North Korean fashion as strictly gender-neutral and uniform-based. Men and women are often seen wearing the same “conformist” designs. People living in the capital, Pyongyang, favour tailored coats with low-waisted trousers and conservative cuts. Trousers and jackets are usually tailored to be worn tightly fitting, while shirts and blouses are kept loose.
Regardless of whether it is hot or cold, North Koreans prefer regularly wearing long-sleeved shirts. This is mainly because the long sleeves can cover unsightly tattoos, which are commonly considered a sign of rebelliousness and nonconformity in the country.
Unsurprisingly, North Korea’s traditional clothing typically features a lot of sober, warm tones like brown and navy rather than bright and flashy colours. This utilitarian colour palette is a reflection of the nation’s society and its emphasis on a simple lifestyle.
While the winter fashion for men consists mainly of a thick quilted jacket with two pockets, a sweater and a pair of heavy boots; women are allowed to opt for more feminine designs. The most popular winter garments for women are long black coats, wool skirts, heavy boots and mittens.
Another dominant piece of clothing in North Korea is the national traditional dress of a hanbok. It is worn during important national events and festivals and also during visits to sacred places. The hanbok consists of a traditional jacket, a belt and long, wide-legged trousers. It is usually worn in grey tones, usually with blue and white overtones, and is considered to be the nation’s “uniform”.
In North Korea, access to international fashion brands is severely limited. However, North Korea’s youthful and fashionable set has found a creative way round this by customising and altering second-hand clothes. This is particularly true of rural and economically weaker communities, where these customised clothes become seen as status symbols.
North Korean Formal Wear
Although there are not a lot of opportunities to dress up in North Korea, there are still some occasions that require more formal clothing. On such occasions, North Koreans dress up in a formal black suit with a white shirt and dress shoes for men. Women can opt for a skirt or trousers and a traditional Korean silk blouse.
During weddings and other formal occasions, both men and women invariably opt for the hanbok. The hanbok is a traditional Korean clothing that is characterized by bright pastel colours and intricate embroidery.
For men, a hanbok consists of a short coat, a wide-belted pair of breeches and a long sash that is tied around the waist. Women’s hanboks also consist of a short jacket and a skirt, but with the addition of colourful ribbons and apron-like pinned ribbons around the waistline.
North Korean Footwear
North Koreans tend to prefer practical footwear, such as workman’s boots, that are both warm and durable. Women are generally allowed to wear leather sandals and wedge heels, but the choice is restricted solely to black and white colours.
In colder months, it is common to see people wearing rubber-soled slip-ons, since the ground in North Korea is often wet and muddy. In general, the selection of footwear in the country is quite limited and it is rare to find anything other than the classical loafers.
Other Accessories
Accessories in North Korea are simple and few in number. It is common to see North Koreans wearing a hat, as it helps to keep warm in the cold winter months. Accessories such as scarves, gloves, jewellery and watches are usually very simple and usually only given as gifts.
North Koreans typically carry shoulder bags, which are usually plain and dull. This is mainly due to the fact that North Koreans prefer to keep their hands free and are much less likely to carry around handbags.
Conclusion
Overall, North Korea’s traditional clothing reflects a very strict and utilitarian aesthetic. Men and women tend to opt for neutral and practical tones, with occasional flairs of national pride in the form of the traditional hanbok. Footwear is plain and practical and accessories are sparse.
North Korean Sunglasses and Hats
Despite the general austerity, North Koreans are known to wear certain types of accessories as statements of their national pride. The most notable accessory being the popular military-style peaked cap, known as the “songkok”. It is a hat with a long visor and two ribbons that hang down in the back. It is usually black in colour and has a red star symbol on the front. It represents loyalty to the cause of socialism, and is worn by both men and women.
Sunglasses are also quite popular in North Korea. While most people wear standard rectangular glasses, some opt for more unique and fashionable designs. Colours and shapes may vary, but the most popular sunglasses tend to be two-tone, brown and black for men, and pink and white for women.
North Korean Attire Outside the Home
When it comes to fashion, North Koreans have become quite creative outside of their traditional clothing style. Many have developed their own unique and creative styles, often incorporating colourful and decorative designs. One example of this is the baseball cap or the “yousok” cap. These caps are often embellished with second-hand emblems and decorations, giving them a playful and colourful vibe.
While out in public, North Koreans usually prefer to dress conservatively and modestly. For example, they tend to avoid shorts and short skirts. North Koreans are also quite aware of the importance of hygiene, and are quite careful when it comes to their personal care.
Influence of Western Styles
Recently, the trend of fashion in North Korea has shifted towards a more relaxed, comfortable and casual style. This is likely due to the growing popularity of Korean and other foreign fashion styles. Korean fashion, in particular, has become quite popular in North Korea and is an integral part of the country’s fashion landscape. It is also likely that the influx of second-hand clothes from other countries has influenced the way that North Koreans dress.
In addition to Korean fashion, North Koreans have also been heavily influenced by foreign fashion styles. The most notable influence being the influence of the Soviet Union. Due to the long political and cultural history between the two countries, North Korean fashion often takes some cues from the Soviet Union’s traditional style.
Conclusion
North Korean fashion is typically quite subdued and utilitarian, but has recently begun to show signs of moving towards a more relaxed and casual style. North Koreans are known to incorporate both traditional and foreign styles, such as Korean and Soviet fashion, into their personal style. Curiously, this mixture of traditional and modern fashion styles has created a unique and stylish aesthetic.
