Korean Job Discussion Forums

[amcnutt]

Hi all,
I'm in the midst of making my packing list, and know that I can't bring all the clothes that I want to overseas. (luggage limits )
I was wondering what the size ranges for clothes are over there. I'm sure I will fit into most clothes, but I know many Koreans are very slim.
I was wondering for pants and shirts what the largest sizes available are (4,6,8 or small, med, large etc)
Also if anyone knows the waist measurements for pants (28, 30, etc) I would like to know.
I'm not overweight but not a stick, so
I think I'll just pack some of my essentials and buy a lot of new clothes at H&M and Forever 21.
I've also heard that bras aren't too big there, but I'm a B cup so I should be fine, right?

Finally this is a serious question and I don't want it to become one of those threads criticizing Western OR Korean ppl for their body shapes and sizes. Thank you!

[Yucca Girl]

Probably the most common sizes range from XS-M. If you're size falls within that range you shouldn't have too much trouble finding clothes in Korea. There are also a lot of western brands available including H&M, Gap, Forever 21, American Apparel.

Most of the pants I remember buying used waist measurements. It's usually easier to find up to about a size 29 or 30, but above 30 is available in some places.

As for bras, it depends a little bit on what band size you are. The most common sizes that are available seemed to be 75 and 80 (34 and 36) A-B cups. Sometimes the cups are a little smaller than the same size at home so you might want to check to make the bra will fit before buying it. I actually really liked some cotton bras I found at American Apparel and wore those all the time.

[Okibum]

If you live in Seoul it's a lot easier. I saw some big bra sizes in Plus Zone of Doota Shopping Center in Dondaemun yesterday. They redecorated it and there are some nice clothes there. There were also some really tall Korean girls shopping there yesterday too.

[JBomb]

recently it was fashionable for Korean girls to wear oversized clothes. Some of my more bigger female friends had no trouble with this. Also if you end up in a smaller town or even in a city with less in the ways of shopping, you can always talk friends into doing a weekend day trip up to Seoul to shop your ass off.

[amcnutt]

Thanks everyone. I don't think I'll have a problem bc i usually wear size small or medium tops and I fluctuate between 28 to 30 waist.
I guess I would have the frame of a very curvy Korean girl....haha
Plus I'll be right outside of Seoul so I'm sure I will get to visit a lot of these mentioned shops

[Katie26]

Hey Hey,

You shouldn't have travel buying clothes over here. However a few things worth noting. For the record I'm a UK size 10 or an American size 6. Clothes can be quite expensive in Korea (compared with the British high street anyway) I cant get dresses or fitted shirts here but that's more to do with my bust size (F). I also find that jumpers/coats don't fit me great here because the arms come up a little short. Jeans are often too short too. I'm 5 ft 8 inches mind. This year when i come back to Korea-I'll mostly be packing
Shoes (UK size 7 cant buy there)
Jeans (Mango are pretty good in Korea though)
Fitted tops (but this probs won't apply to you.

How tall are you that's a bigger consideration if you're the same size as me. (For the record a Uk size 10 is a 28 inch waist)

[amcnutt]

[peppermint]

getting US size 8 will be mildly tough. I wear a 7.5 to an 8 and get great shoes, but I also get chased out of shoe stores a lot by shop harpies shrieking "no big size-uh! You go!!!

[Katie26]

I think you should be ok with size 8 US, that's a 5 and a half British so should be ok

[glassandshells]