Korean Job Discussion Forums

Reise-ohne-Ende · Joined: 07 Sep 2009

Hey everyone -

I spoke with my boss (in the US) today and he mentioned that he actually flies to Korea to get his suits custom-made. He is a very big man, probably 400+ pounds (think Hurley on Lost). He says he can get full tailor-made suits for $250 there!

He also mentioned that there are a lot of tailors & seamstresses who have magazines in their store and you can point to clothing you'd like or bring in a picture and they will measure you and make it custom for you.

Needless to say, this is probably the most amazing thing I've ever heard and I'm dying to know if it is accurate!! My weight fluctuates a lot, but I'm currently a woman's 10/12 (junior's 13) with a large bust and hips and a flat stomach...it's hard enough to find clothes in the US that fit right, not to mention Korea!

For women whose bodies don't conform to average Korean sizes, what options are there both with tailor-made clothing and, if any, with retail? I'd also be interested in hearing about your experiences with bras, underwear, and shoes.

Any other fashion or clothing questions, comments, or trends are welcome here too!

ETA: While doing some research for custom-made clothing, I found this cool site:
http://www.bodyscan.human.cornell.edu/scene0037.html
Apparently, researchers at Cornell have developed a 3D body scanner and have some really fantastic ideas about how to implement this to revolutionize clothes shopping. I had this idea several years ago but forgot about it until now!! It would be neat if something like this could be standard within a decade or so!

peppermint · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 10:35 am Post subject:

Friends of mine get skirts and pants made there, for about what you'd pay for off the rack ones in the States, but blouses are a problem. Apparently it's a lot more work to accommodate breasts, and blouses are priced accordingly.

I'm no Picasso · Joined: 28 Oct 2008

I'm also a 10/12 with a large bust and I don't have a problem finding pants, other than the fact that I'm 5 foot 8 and sometimes the cuffs come dangerously close to being too high. Tops can be a problem. Loose fitting things like t shirts and cardigans are easy enough to come by, but I'm having a real problem finding button downs for work that will button over my chest without gaps between the buttons, without the bottom half looking like a pregnancy garment. They're also a bit short in the torso.

Also, if you've got a sizable backside, pants might be somewhat of an issue. Back home, I have issues with things fitting at the waist and being baggy in the butt, but here things are tight in the butt, but there's a bit of extra room in the waist.

One thing I will say for sure -- if you've got big feet, bring all the women's shoes you'll want for the year, and pack as many bras as you can. Those are the two real problem areas. Everything else you can pretty much improvise.

Reise-ohne-Ende · Joined: 07 Sep 2009

Ninjaniki · Joined: 05 Jul 2008

Yes, that information is accurate. I'm your same size. Sometimes I have blouses custom made for 38,000won. Its a perfect fit with the exact material and color you chose. As far as underwear and bras I have those shipped in whenever I order clothes from America maybe every 3 months.

Ninjaniki · Joined: 05 Jul 2008

Oh and the only shoes I can buy here that fits are Converse. I'm a size 9, which is like 255/260 in Korea, and from what I've seen shoe sizes stop at a size 245 if you are lucky to find that. I don't care because I dont like their style anyway. So it's best to bring what you need, or order online later when you arrive.

Reise-ohne-Ende · Joined: 07 Sep 2009

Nanijaki - hello doppelganger. Smile

What city do you live in? I'm hoping to move to Busan. I'm sure there will be tailors there. Do you have any picture of the clothes you've had made? I'm so into fashion. :3

Ninjaniki · Joined: 05 Jul 2008

Reise-ohne-Ende · Joined: 07 Sep 2009

sheilabocchine · Joined: 11 Feb 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ

so i can walk into any of those tailor places and them make me a skirt or a dress?

can i bring my own photo to show them, like something i found in In Style?

what about the fabric? how do you choose that?

dalem · Joined: 30 Dec 2008

Wow... something like this could be great for me too. I'm only 5"2. but i have a larger butt and bust *(we're talking 32FF bra size..). I'd be really intersted in trying the tailoring route.

Anybody able to post pics here of something they've had made? Do i need to go to itaewon, or will any tailor do this type of thing??