Korean Job Discussion Forums

[E_athlete]

I only have 1 black suit 1 black tie. I'll most likely need to buy more jackets and pants, maybe a few other ties. Is it cheaper to buy this stuff in Korea? How much will it cost to buy a tie or jacket??

I need a quick reply as Im leaving soon thanks!

[Missihippi]

I didn't bring a suit for public school. I have yet to wear a tie. Nice slacks and polos or dress shirts will be fine. Good luck.

[climber159]

Unless you have a horrible principle and VP, you won't need to wear a suit to teach in a public school. I'm sitting at my dest in jeans and a collard shirt. Casual and clean to business casual seems to be the norm these days.

You can get a suit tailored here for a reasonable price (certainly cheaper than back home). Perhaps someone else can chime in here on a more precise cost. One suit should get you by for a while here. And, dry cleaning is cheap.

[E_athlete]

I just noticed that all I have are jeans, t shirts, sweaters and dress shirts. I have no slacks and only one polo shirt lol.

Where can I buy suits that wont break my wallet? If I spent 300k on each suit I'll break my wallet fast seeing as i earn 2.1m each month.

[lifeinkorea]

Don't buy any suits in the states. In Asia, they are surprisingly very cheap.

[sigmund]

I wear jeans everyday and some type of not too nice collared shirt.

This is a blue collar job. I used to wear slacks to school,and definitely a good idea your first week or so, but I would just be covered in dust and grime every day. At least in jeans I can go through the day without looking like I have been digging ditches all day. ^^

My school just got rid of all chalkboards a couple of months ago and that made a HUGE difference, but honestly my school is a dirty, dirty place. I dress casually every day. Today is finals, no classes for me, so I am wearing jeans and a printed t-shirt.

Most of the male Korean teacher dress a little bit nicer than me, slacks and the same, but Korean, collard shirts. However, the women at the school all dress fairly nice/office attire. I'm glad that i'm not a woman. ^^

[climber159]

I'll wonder, but I won't ask why you need so many suits when you're taking a public school gig. They're not at all necessary.

Most foreigners end up going to a tailor in Itaewon for their custom garments. 300K will buy a suit there, just not a very good one. I've been told by others that if you make a trip to Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, to get tailoring done there.

[texasspangler]

You don't need to wear a suit at a public school position. But I would recommend that you do wear slacks and a collared shirt or polo. When I came to my school and I wore slacks and a tie everyday once summer hit I wore polos.. My principal made the comment that he was glad that I dressed better than the last guy who wore jeans to school.. Just my 2 cents.. Oh and if ur a bigger guy buy clothes back home there seems to be a shortage of bigger clothes here...

[sigmund]

Second that on buying clothes back home. I am 186cm 90kg and I have a really hard time finding clothes here. Custom suits wont be a problem but for other stuff your choices are pretty much only online shopping, and honestly Korean style is a little flamboyant for my tastes; if you like neon pink or yellow polo's with teddy bears instead of polo horses you are set though.

[Sector7G]

Before I came in September 2007, I got the impression from some recruiter sites that I was supposed to wear a tie to my public school. I didn't really mind, and coming from a sales job I was already well stocked with button down shirts and ties. I also brought a common navy blue blazer that I wore the first day for introductions. (Which actually did turn out to be a good decision).

But I soon found out that:

a) none of the other male teachers did this - they all wore the most casual clothes you could imagine, and

b)Korea is still pretty hot in September, and my school was not using the air conditioners. So my shirts were drenched by 10am.

So, the first weekend I went shopping for some nice, casual, short sleeve shirts. During the cooler weather I will occasionally wear the blazer without a tie.

I do agree with others it is easier to find clothes back home. When I went home in between contract I stocked up.

So, unless you have been expressly told that a suit is required, don't bother. Although it does not hurt at all to wear on the first day.

[romano812]

IMO Steve Tailor in Itaewon, just next to and behind McDonalds. Suits 300,000 Won or two for 500,000. These are easily $1000 a piece in the States if you can buy them off the rack, or over $1500 a piece if you have them made. Great quality, great fit. There are cheaper places, but the suits are cheaper quality. You can also spend more, but I don't think you will be getting anything better quality. This is the best place I know of if you have to buy a suit in Seoul.

[E_athlete]

[Robot_Teacher]

Docker pants with button down shirts as well as polos are a good bet. That's American business casual which you'll see Koreans wearing cheap imitation versions of. Teacher fashion ranges from cheap jeans and T-shirt to professional business man suits depending on personal taste though VP's and principals wear suits all the time.

[romano812]

Steve's is number 24/25. There is an alley right next to McDonald's and Steve's is just a little ways in on the left. However, I wouldn't worry about a suit unless you really want one. I work at a public school and usually wear jeans and a dress shirt/ poloshirt. I don't even see many of the Korean teachers wearing suits anymore.
Anyway good luck and enjoy Korea!

[texasspangler]