Taeyang, G-Dragon, and More: A Guide to the Style Stars of K-Pop

[snoaz.livejournal.com]

Of all the street-style stars to descend on Paris in the past few weeks, some of the flossiest — and most original — have been rapper G-Dragon and singer Taeyang, of South Korea's beloved boy band Big Bang. Spotted in the front row at most of the bigger couture shows and fall menswear shows, they caused a general spectacle with their penchant for bejeweled boleros and multi-colored hair.

This is the first time G-Dragon has appeared at Fashion Week since a brief, pink-haired appearance in 2012, but Taeyang has been on a roll. He caused a frenzy with street-style photographers last summer in Paris, attending the men's shows with a foot-high faux-hawk and kilts of tartan-plaid and bandana-print (with matching bank-robber face-gear). G and Tae have a mutual distaste for rules regarding color, fit, or gender. To that end, during the shows in Paris, the boys greeted many admirers, including Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel, Alber Elbaz at Lanvin, and Carine Roitfeld at Saint Laurent.

But the Bangers aren't the only K-Pop stars making the street-style rounds. Blogs like K World Style, Kpopstarz, and K-Fashionista breathlessly chronicle the looks of the genre's best-dressed, including an ever-popular "Airport Style" feature — because unlike a good third of all U.S. celebs, you'll never see a member of 2NE1 slogging through LAX in ratty flip-flops and Christian Audigier leggings. Click through our slideshow for a primer on the K-Pop street-style clan’s best and brightest.

Source: NY Mag "The Cut"

Fixed, mods (I think)

Anyhow, I guess you can say a lot about "k-pop style" (if there is such one thing), but it's hardly ever boring. Certainly very colourful, which I like. Fitting that they highlighted the airport fashion thing, because in k-pop it seems to have been elevated to the most Important Fashion Moment of the week. Naturally you want to look good, but I find it a bit curious.

In your opinion who dresses the best in k-pop (both on and off the airport, haha)? Any examples of favourite styles?

Comments

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

Kris from Exo dresses pretty nice some times, I've actually kind of copied afew of his outfits, though he's worn some tragic outfits too

[consequences.livejournal.com]

never forget gorilla pants

[the-erotomanic.livejournal.com]

kpop airport fashion >>>>>>> kpop red carpet fashion.

and lol at this:

The simplicity of Tae's mop-matching moto jacket is summed up in the wry smize, though you also get the sneaking suspicion he's worn Drakkar Noir at some point in his life.

and then kinda facepalmed at this:

G-Dragon solidifies himself as simultaneously kawaii, classic, and freaky.

and what is a hair smile?

Here's Tiffany doing an insta-mash-up of the classic peace sign with thr new-rage "hair smile" in sweetie-pie plaid.

[waves-of-light.livejournal.com]

Lol hard at drakkar noir, I would have guessed coolwater tbqh

[fireandbread.livejournal.com]

I think the airport style is kind of stupid, I mean it's like who needs even MORE ruckus at an airport??

Also I think it says a lot about sasaengs and the stalker fan mentality Korea has (even regular fans) that idols have to look good off the plane, being prepared to meet the press or the fans everywhere they go. That's hard core, maybe more so than the US

Thankfully the paparazzi seem a TAD more respectful in Korea than in the US though. I hope that NEVER changes but I am getting anxious and nervous as the greed of Hallyu keeps growing. I hope photographers don't get to Britney Spears kind of status and harass BB or SNSD in a similar fashion. I think the power of the big 3 comes in handy in this situation.


I like TOPs airport fashion the most out of BB though, but the constant suit and sweater and scarf combo can get a bit trying. I wish he explored more with his fashion choices!

But gd has earned his right as a fashionista, he's always creative and his skinny body fits most styles. Idk about Tae yet, I didn't like his fashion stuff in Paris. He dressed better when he had the Mohawk

[snoaz.livejournal.com]

uh-huh, I wish TOP would explore more, too. It's kind of the same as when he does a fashion shoot: it's always solid, but it's usually the same (piercing stare at the camera, etc.) I mean, he looks good, so I can't argue with that. With gd it's often the other way around, being experimental instead of looking handsome. hmm I guess that says something about the difference between them as persons, but ok before I go off rambling, remember those outrageous pants TOP used to wear back in 2009/2010? The airport fashion wasn't always suits and sweaters. ;-)

[loveshatori.livejournal.com]

i agree about the color thing in kpop. The thing I notice about myself more recently is that I am really drawn to the colorfulness in kpop fashion whether on stage or off stage. At times when I look at american artist their fashion can be sometimes bland and unexciting and just not eye catching. So I really enjoy all the color especially when how surprisingly good it looks like the colored hair. Who knew blue, pink, red or green hair can look good rather than weird or off putting.

[stoppedclock321.livejournal.com]

For airport, I'd say Jessica always with Sooyoung following because they almost always look gorgeous and put-together.

Part of it is also that they all have nice bodies and have pretty well-done hair/makeup, which can really enhance (and sometimes save) an unfortunate outfit. The idea that airport fashion has to be a thing is strange, but the image of idols coming decked out in nice clothes only to change into sweats on the plane is admittedly amusing.

[snoaz.livejournal.com]

It's become this really obligatory thing to look stylish on the airport, or even to create your "own" airport fashion -- and yeah, personally I also dress nicely when I fly, not because it's an airport but because it's in public, but it's weird how idols seem to regard it more like a red carpet than they do an eh actual red carpet.

But then, that's what makes airport pics worth looking at, of course.

[cotxpaxi.livejournal.com]

im a fan of seo inyoung

[miyozari.livejournal.com]

Kris, Sooyoung, Nana and Sohee, I still remember, when she started carrying (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cjQzDibAWIY/UF3_ZNZpxHI/AAAAAAAAB6w/dvI9RFQTzpU/s1600/IMG_0009.PNG) the celine bag ages before other Korean celebrities followed her suit and hipsters started carrying knock-offs.

[unicornios.livejournal.com]

omg yes! I even remember when people on Omona pointed out how Sohee's bag looked like it had a smiley face

[crazyxcami.livejournal.com]

They always choose event pictures of 2NE1 looking like a mess...wtf. They have tons of pictures from different events where they look on point but the horrible ones always end up in these articles SMH..

[snoaz.livejournal.com]

I rather like their group picture though. It's very colourful and kind of a mess but somehow manages to seem coordinated at the same time. Good example of "k-pop style" maybe?

Also I love Dara's hair especially, I was not aware she'd had that kind of colour.

[suxaholic.livejournal.com]

YG artists have the best sense of style of all idols even if I think many of their outfits are off putting.They always stand out and they are definitely the ones that sets trends, I find that other celebrities are mostly well dressed brandwhores

[babyonions.livejournal.com]

Tae can't pull off most of his outfits tbh

I'm going with TOP for the best dressed, he always looks chic and his style is classic but with a twist. Also, suit porn!!
From the girls, I'll go with Sooyoung, but only for casual outfits and airport fashion. SNSD's formal wear is tragic, but that can be said for most of the kpop industry. It's all prom dresses and wedding gowns, yikes

I hate how 2NE1 dresses with passion

Who else? Hmmm...
SHINee mostly looks tacky, but I still love it

[footballfina.livejournal.com]

Jessica, Sooyoung, Yoona, and Seohyun airport outfits encapsulate MANY life goals of mine. They always look so chic, classy, and put together.

Also, what Sooyoung wears as an MC on "ONOE" is always on point.

[tree-star123.livejournal.com]

Jessica

[921227.livejournal.com]

Most groups stage clothing is tragic/unreasonable in rl except for when boygroups get to where nice suits and such and girlsgroups aren't dressed like overgrown kindergartners (candy fashion) and a lot of idols' airport fashion is sponsored/stylists made which is disappointing because I think some idols have a better eye for what looks good (esp on their own bodies) then their stylists. BUT I do recognize Yoona and Jessica's airport style, it might trend towards safe, but they always look good

[robalunch.livejournal.com]

CL spam!







Me in custom Tom Ford fyt:

[modestgoddess79.livejournal.com]

CL looks great

[maishi-obuki.livejournal.com]

G-Dragon is still the fashion king of S.Korea

His style's may not all be to some peoples taste, but he isn't going to just dress in conforming styles because some one said he is too out there.

I love all his clothing, hairstyles, and accessory choices.

[snoaz.livejournal.com]

Agreed. Other idols' fashion often seems very safe or boring compared to GD's. In some cases it's a miss, but most of the time he looks great and he should be given props for knowing how to work so many different styles.

[sub-divided.livejournal.com]

t's like the author doesn't realize that GDragon selected Taeyang's outfits in those pics LMFAO Taeyang's sense of fashion when GD isn't dressing him veers toward tragic.

Besides Kris, there's also Tao from EXO... Tao dresses better than Kris a lot of the time, I think. And Taehyun from WINNER has a very good sense of style.

The Other Seunghyun (Seungri) tends to look good, too, but he probably doesn't change his style often enough to qualify for a list like this. Seungri is only interested in looking good, he's not interested in fashion.

[waves-of-light.livejournal.com]

bb panda has been looking good lately

[imienazwisko.livejournal.com]

Infinite had on point (http://kmchart.gaonchart.co.kr/upload_images/3B15890CB50340CE909F57F8024F672D.jpg) (most of the time) outfits until Man In Love (http://media.zenfs.com/ko_KR/News/enewsworld/70974819.jpg) happend. And I don't liek BtoB coordis because the boys dress well offstage but once they are put in their coordinated outfits, I cry a little inside. I wish they would wear more of this (http://btobupdates.wordpress.com/2012/11/06/cafe110412-btob-behind-story-kbs-music-bank/) than that (http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m38qg1ileM1qindcno1_1280.jpg).

I've always been into fashion, even much before I became interested in kpop, but tbh kpop changed my views on fashion A LOT. I still have when a person wears more than one pattern at once but I got accustomed to vomits like this (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oocE1ofZ4XU/UVZlrs1kFxI/AAAAAAAAB3k/nOdQOL7pZKs/s1600/o0500068112478082638.jpg). I personally prefer to wear one patterened piece of clothing and everything else plain but I like patterns in general so my waredrobe is full of them and its hard to coordinate an outfit. I became more open to weird ideas and idk if it's really a good thing :P

[snoaz.livejournal.com]

I especially hate that hat Sungjong has during the Man In Love promotions.

And yes, I've also grown more accustomed to coloured / patterned (or perhaps "fun") clothing because of k-pop. Though that Shinee picture in the link is still too tragic for me.

[10135.livejournal.com]

It's not really k-pop style but rather style in general, at least it's that way with GD and CL. SHINee and SNSD is more k-pop style because I feel those types of outfits and fashion belong to most groups.

[princetabi.livejournal.com]

I think that Sehun from Exo has the best fashion sense. I don't have any pics on me right now (I'm on my phone) but I like his simple, minimalist style and his coats and jeans are always I point.

[porcupinegloves.livejournal.com]

ia. i was trying to think who dresses better in exo but it was hard bc they're all mostly a mess lmao
but sehun is (almost lol) (http://24.media.tumblr.com/be1392e3ce3b7a2314802e63537891d0/tumblr_mnshvkYGSu1qhmxnlo1_500.jpg) always on point.

[atopworld.livejournal.com]

Echoing what everyone else has said, I prefer airport fashion because most times, it looks more comfortable and comes from their own wardrobe. I usually love what TOP wears, he incorporates some colors that are just pleasing to me. Though everyone was talking smack about GD's pink ahjumma coat, with EXTREME shock, I actually liked it. I also love what Onew and Jonghyun wear, I think I have similar style to them. There are still like 2 - 3 Onew airport outfits that I can't get over. I get the chills just thinking about them.

[snoaz.livejournal.com]

I also love that coat! Not sure sure why so many people hated it, though I guess most things GD wears (or does) get either love/hate without much in-between lmao.

[skonka.livejournal.com]

Dunno who's the best but Amber, Sulli and Sunny are the worst.

[porcupinegloves.livejournal.com]

Sooyoung and Seohyun always impress me with their airport outfits.

[ababobaby.livejournal.com]

Jessica, Tiffany (I love her variety), Seohyun (sometimes she just wears smth sooo incredibly adorable), Sooyoung and Yoona :D

I like Taeyeon's when she wears something really summery and cute

[snoaz.livejournal.com]

I'm not overly familiar with SNSD, but from what I've seen Jessica seems to be the most consistently best dressed and Seohyun dresses very cutely often, in dresses and stuff I also want to have haha.

[merylsteep.livejournal.com]

GD is the fashionista king. He comes up with the most outlandish and most atrocious ensemble but manages to still look good. And I know he isn't the first idol to turn blonde but he's the first Asian guy who made me realize how hot it looks.

I love Dara's fashion style... Very simple and laid-back- jeans, she prefers jeans + simple top/jacket + sneakers + a quirky hat or scarf. Understated, chic and yet relatable. CL , bless her soul is hella sexy and knows how to work it and still be classy. Minzy's style is surprisingly very girly with her cute dresses and skirts with tights <3

[snoaz.livejournal.com]

Aw, your icon!

Also, yes to what you said about GD. If I remember correctly he was the one who made the (platinum) blonde popular though with Heartbreaker?

[dreameth4.livejournal.com]

I like airport fashion pictures a lot, tbh. It's fun to look at the extremely stylish outfits, and then on the other end of the spectrum, the travesties that shouldn't have happened.

I like Lay (from EXO) and his sense, sure yeah it's conventional and not super daring, but I tend to judge the really try-hard outfits. Like, you'll be sitting on a plane, why add onto that discomfort, especially if it's a long flight?

[snoaz.livejournal.com]

"try-hard" outfits kind of miss the point of airport fashion -- the best ones are both comfortable and fashionable, which can be a pretty hard thing to do actually!