Korean Job Discussion Forums

Illysook · Joined: 30 Jun 2008

I was in Shinsegae at Yatap the other night when I stepped into The Gap. I'd like a new pair of jeans and I wear a size 10. They only sell up to size 8. Now, since I ride public transportation, I know for a fact that not all Korean women are thin, even if this does conflict with Korea's national fashion identity or something. Just like the rest of us, they start to spread out a little as they get into their 30 somethings, before they are ready to don adjumma visors and stretch pants. I see these women, they look fine. So...where do those women shop...and don't say Itaewon. All I've ever seen there has been either x-tra small, x-tra huge, or x-tra ugly.

climber159 · Joined: 02 Sep 2007

Some of my friends have had success at Forever 21 in Myeong-dong. Also try Uniqlo, Zara, or Gap (the one in Myeong-dong seems to have a more extensive selection than the one at Shinseagae).

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

The same weird thing happens for mens tops. Shirt and sweater sizes rarely go above 105. 110 is quite hard to find. I'm lucky enough to just about fit into 105, but it's tight. Yet, when I go around Seoul I see dozens, if not hundreds of Korean men who have bigger torso's than me.

Do Koreans still think they are a small race? Where do all the bigger Koren men shop?

VanIslander · Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 11:33 pm Post subject:

online

(seriously, they do,... A LOT)

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

Robot_Teacher · Joined: 18 Feb 2009 Location: Robotting Around the World

I have a female co-teacher bigger than me, well very obese, who volunteered the information that she shops in the Dongdaemun area and that big mall there when telling me about a trip to Seoul.

licorice · Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Location: Seoul

Is the GAP as vanity sized here as it is back in North America? GAP is ridiculous back home. I have to go down at least 2 sizes.

samcheokguy · Joined: 02 Nov 2008 Location: Samcheok G-do

try getting sleeves when you're 6'4" here.

ardis · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

On Gmarket, there is a sub-category called "big size" under the clothing category. A lot of Koreans (in Seoul, anyway), use Gmarket for clothes since it's usually a few bucks cheaper than it would be at the shops.

harlowethrombey · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Location: Seoul

Yeah every shirt that is big enough for my shoulders and arms ends up falling way too low.

Although since I dropped a few K I've been able to fit into the pants from Lotte Mart quite nicely (and they're like 10,000 KRW so everybody wins)

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

nicam · Joined: 14 Jun 2008

I wonder about this too. I fit into the tiny K-clothes, but I never see any medium type sizes in stores. However, I see a lot of regular or larger sized Korean men and women, and all of the stores just have these tiny clothes.

I agree about Gmarket. It's really the bomb! You need a Korean to help you order, and/or a Pay Pal acct. Also, the Forever 21 in Myeong-dong is huge and has all sizes imaginable.

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

Zulethe · Joined: 04 Jul 2008

Even though Korean men are tall, most still have a very slight build. Even the big guys tend to have very narrow shoulders, which cuts down on the width of the body considerably.

I wear a size 125 shirt, I'm not fat, I'm into lifting weights. I work out with some of the biggest Koreans around and although they have big miuscles, they still don't wear very large shirts.

prideofidaho · Joined: 19 Mar 2008

It's not about obese enabling, it's about finding a shirt that doesn't pull awkwardly in the bust. I'm not particularly busty, but Korean clothes seem to suggest otherwise.