10 Korean Fall Fashion Trends 2023

It is that time of the year again when everyone watches Autumn In My Heart with a pumpkin spice latte in their hands: fall season. It is time to bid flattering swimwear farewell and welcome coats with open arms. Of course, Korean fashion designers are no strangers to the growing demand for cozy yet stylish wardrobe essentials for the autumn weather. As we transition from flowy dresses to woolen jackets, we can finally radiate that K-Drama main character energy with this year’s Korean fall fashion trends.

The best thing about the fall season is that it is cold enough to have fun with layering. As shown by our favorite K-Idols, one of the most defining fall trends for the year is layering oversized outerwear on collared tops to elevate basic clothing. By experimenting with such pieces, you can transform your wardrobe into a newfound source of comfydence.

If you are fresh out of ideas, browse this article to discover the hottest Korean fall fashion trends to revamp your autumn looks this 2023!

Table of Contents

1. Trench Coat
2. Turtleneck
3. Sweater Vest
4. Knitted Cardigan
5. Berets, Beanies, & Bucket Hats
6. Flannel Shirt
7. Midi Skirt
8. Low-Rise Trousers
9. Denim Jacket
10. Chunky Boots

(If you live in the Southern hemisphere and are transitioning into spring, head to our previous article on 10 Korean Spring Fashion Trends 2023.)

1. Trench Coat

What is fall season without the aesthetically posh trench coat? This double-breasted coat is an indisputably popular wardrobe essential that makes you look voguish and professional at the same time. Whether you are aiming toward a casual street style or a preppy look, trench coats never fail to make you look put together.

As seen on MAMAMOO’s Hwasa and Moonbyul, trench coats add a touch of elegance and an extra level of complexity to any outfit. Simply throw on a neutral color coat, such as beige or black, and you can look effortlessly chic. A good alternative for those who live in warmer countries would be oversized blazers. They emanate almost the same sophistication as trench coats.

2. Turtleneck

Next up on our roster of Korean fall fashion trends is the turtleneck. This close-fitting collared top is a timeless piece that is incredibly versatile and sleek. Although turtlenecks have traversed several fashion decades, they are still quite trendy today. Their secret? They can make you feel modest and sexy at once!

It is a well-known fact that turtlenecks are a layering staple. With that, you can stack as many clothing pieces as possible and still look fashionable. Just like MAMAMOO’s Solar, you can layer any jacket on top of a plain color turtleneck. Or you can opt to wear it with a dress of the same color similar to TWICE’s Mina. And this year, although neutral colors are the go-to options, going for colored turtlenecks will also make you more fashionable and we handpicked some perfect pieces for you:

3. Sweater Vest

As we venture into the world of layering, sweater vests are a must. Since 2020, this “grandparent” trend has been taking the world by storm. What sets this sleeveless sweater apart from other trends is that it doesn’t take away from an outfit’s simplicity. With its low-cut neckline, they can be layered on top of button-down shirts or detachable collars. 

Try to play with different cuts and sizes to create visual wow factors. Steal Red Velvet’s Seulgi’s effortless look by throwing on a cable-knit sweater vest, oversized collared top, and a-line skirt. If you prefer KARA’s Youngji’s preppy look, pair an argyle sweater vest together with a polo shirt and plaid mini skirt. Just like the 4th gen of KPOP, don’t be afraid to experiment your outfits this fall season with colorful sweaters and funky patterns. You know what they say: go big or go home.

4. Knitted Cardigan

It is no secret that today’s fashion icons knows many things, especially when it comes to layering cardigans. The knitted cardigan has been in the fashion spotlight long enough for songs to be written about it. Apart from layering, there are so many other ways to approach this trend. For instance, they can be tied around the neck just like that revived 80s trend or they can be tugged at the shoulder for an off-shoulder look.

With the different types of cardigans to choose from, the top two popular ones are those worn by TWICE’s Dahyun and BLACKPINK’s Jennie: the boyfriend and the bolero, respectively.

For a soft girl look, it is best to layer a flowy dress underneath a boxy boyfriend cardigan. Additionally, a tight bolero cardigan goes along with a ribbed racerback. And to catch up with 2023 trends, why not try some cropped cardigans and ones that are uniquely designed like see-throughs and long cardigans?

5. Berets, Beanies, & Bucket Hats

Elevate your outfit by accessorizing it with either a beret or a beanie. These two caps can add an extra element to any outfit that makes it look more attractive and dressy. These days, animal ears inspired beanies are on the charts. Such beanies often come in cat ears or rabbit ears.

The classic flat-crowned cap can emanate the signature Parisian vibes. Meanwhile, the head-hugging brimless cap gives off more of a grunge feel.

Recreate Danielle of New Jean’s look by wearing a matching beret and a cardigan for a full-on Parisian demeanor. If you prefer looking more effortless, a contrasting beanie and oversized shirt are the way to go.

Another hat that you should add to your closets are the knitted ones that idols have been seen wearing nowadays. These hats mostly come with floral designs which really go with any outfit! Talk about a cute get-up! At the end of the day, it is up to you whether you prefer to dress up or dress down this fall season.

6. Flannel Shirt

Bring your outfit to life by throwing a splash of warm colors through flannel shirts. Although this clothing piece was traditionally worn by lumberjacks, it is back to dominating this year’s Korean fall fashion trends. It is a no-brainer that flannel shirts are a real head-turner this season since plaid is a classic fall pattern. 

The best thing about a flannel shirt is that it can spice up any basic outfit such as a plain cotton top and denim bottoms as shown by IU in front of her dedicated food truck. The Solo singer, Somi, has also been rocking this trend lately with another traditional lumberjack clothing piece: denim overalls. To enliven her look, she has worn a two-toned flannel shirt to stick with her outfit’s principal color palette. PS, flannels are so gender-neutral that nobody hates them.

7. Midi Skirt

Too cold for a mini skirt? Try on a midi skirt instead! A flowy pleated midi skirt with an oversized top can create an attention-grabbing fall look. Fortunately, midi skirts are flattering for any body type as the silhouette they produce can range from a fitted bodycon to a full skirt. Although mini skirts are incredibly popular in South Korea, the vast majority are still rather conservative with what they wear. Thus, midi skirts are for those who want better freedom of leg movement while dressing conservatively.

During the early days of the season, you can still use midi skirts with a lightweight material similar to the chiffon midi skirt worn by (G)I-DLE’s Minnie. This can be styled with a loose shirt and white sneakers for a casual look. Once the wind blows harder in the middle of fall, start filling your closet with thicker midi skirts like BLACKPINK’s Jisoo’s rayon midi skirt.

8. Low-Rise Trousers

One of the most divisive trends has astonishingly made it to the list this year: low-rise trousers. Although many have been criticizing it to be overly provocative, we cannot deny that it is all about being confident in your own body. Unlike the extremely low-rise skinny jeans from the early 2000s, many Korean designers this year have introduced new proportions with wider silhouettes and long inseams that sit perfectly on the hip.

Both IVE’s Wonyoung and BLACKPINK’s Jennie fearlessly exhibited their toned abs by pairing a crop top with their low-rise trousers. To top it all off, they have layered their outfits with a cutout sweater and leather hooded sweatshirt respectively. With the new changes made to low-waist trousers this year, they are now a lot more appropriate for the fall season.

9. Denim Jacket

Just because summer is over doesn’t mean we won’t have any more sunshine this year. Instead of putting your summer dresses away, layer a denim jacket on them! It is every K-Idol’s go-to for the fall season because they strikingly match so well with numerous outfits. 

ITZY’s Yeji has proven that this trend goes well with beanies for more of a street style. Not to mention, they look amazing with low-waist trousers as shown by TWICE’s Dahyun. Pro tip: darker blue denim jackets match remarkably with fall and winter outfits while lighter blue denim ones fit better in the spring and summer season.

10. Chunky Boots

Last but not least is the biggest footwear of the fall season: chunky boots. It’s about time that you put aside your sneakers and stock up on boots with tall platforms. Since they add some extra height and give the illusion of longer legs, chunky boots are proven beyond doubt to be a fall season essential.

Chunky boots can be worn with any outfit as they undeniably look badass. As demonstrated by Red Velvet’s Irene, ankle chunky boots can finish up an all-black outfit. Knee-high ones can also enhance a basic sweater and biker shorts. It is all about choosing the right silhouette for the outfit. This trend is currently unique to South Korea, but we can expect it to be worn all around the globe in just a matter of time.

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We hope you got some inspiration from this year’s Korean fall fashion trends to revamp your wardrobe for autumn. With South Korea’s strong impact on the world of fashion, it is possible to predict future global fashion trends by simply observing their streetwear. As these clothing pieces are wearable daily and used all over South Korea’s capital, it is absolutely safe to start investing in them! Let us know your thoughts on the Korean fall fashion trends in the comment section below.

If you want to know more about Korean fashion trends all year round, you can check out our seasonal posts for 2023 on our blog page. You can even check out the latest Korean eyewear trends to complement your ideal outfit for this fall season.

Thanks for reading and happy shopping!