Korean Job Discussion Forums

maeil · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Location: Haebangchon

Hi everyone,

I've been in Korea for about a year now but still have difficulty finding clothes, especially bottoms, that fit me well. I am a 5'8" (173 cm) American woman that usually takes a size 8. I am DYING for a pair of decent jeans that fit me well, aren't so tight as to cut off my circulation and yet aren't falling off of me either. I don't want ajumma jeans and I don't want teenage sparkly jeans. Oh, and I don't want to have to pay a ridiculous amount for imported jeans.

What kind of success have you had in various areas? I've heard rumors of a large western shopping area near Daehwa, but that's a long haul away from where I live (Bundang area). I tried doing a search for this info on the forum but came up with either too few results or far too many, depending on how I searched.

Any advice would be appreciated! Oh, and also how to buy feminine shoes for a women's size 9 foot. I've explored Itaewon somewhat but wasn't too impressed with what I found... maybe looking in the wrong areas??

Thank you..

sistersarah · Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Location: hiding out

pants are hard to find here, especially if you don't want to pay an arm and a leg, like me. they just fit really strange.

i don't even bother looking around many places anymore.
i go to myeong dong department store (it's a discount store, not really a department store). i think it's the third or fourth floor, it's nothing but jeans as far as the eye can see. no change rooms, just these huge black skirts you can try them on under. it's funny. they're cheap jeans, ranging between 20,000 and 50,000. basically, i go there, grap a mountain of jeans that i think might fit me, try them all on and usually 2 pair fit well out of about 15. it's an arduous process, but it's the only way i can handle pants shopping here. go there, do it, and leave.

i'm really not good with directions. if you want me to show you where it is sometime, i don't mind. or next time i go, i'll take note of where it is.

good luck!

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I buy Levi's above the black market in ��빮 for 50,000 won. I don't know if they have women's jeans, but I would think so.

krats1976 · Joined: 14 May 2003

Junior · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Location: the eye

doublejeopardy · Joined: 16 Jan 2006

But what about the elusive sizes in the gap-10, 11, 12? Confused

Anyone have furhter info on where to find these?

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

It sounds like we are about the same size! I am a bit taller, but i managed to find jeans long enough. I just asked for the longest jeans in the store, which happened tofit. It takes a lot of perseverance, but it can eb done. I have bought shoes here before, but mainly tennis shoes and sandals. I have to buy men's tennis shoes usually. As for the sandals, I have to get the biggest size and my heel hangs off 1/8 of an inch, but they are the great shoes.
Finding clothes can be a major problem for tall people, but it can be done. Just be ready to spend some serious time. If you are in Seoul, there are several huge "fashion marts". I can't remember the name, but maybe someone else can tell you where to go. You are bound to find some jeans there.
As for ordering online, I am one of those people who has to try everything on, so I have never done it. Unless you have some jeans from home you like that you can just order another pair of and have someone send it.

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

Have you tried 2001 Outlet in Migeum (Bundang subway line)? It's worth a look, if you haven't already.

u26sjb · Joined: 18 Apr 2005

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

I just lost a whole lot of weight to end up right in no womens land of size 12 and have long legs by western standards (I'm 178cm). In the end I got some pants tailored in Itaewon for 50k, which I thought was reasonable for pure wool.

My problem now is that all my bras are too big, and I have no idea what size I am. I'm figuring about a C, but I'm not sure. Anyone had any luck with bras here?

doublejeopardy · Joined: 16 Jan 2006

ChimpumCallao · Joined: 17 May 2005 Location: your mom

KumaraKitty · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Location: Bucheon

I keep flitting between a 12 and a 16. It so sucks. Marks and Spencer has some great stuff, and they are Expensive, but they have a 50% off sale on seasonable merchandise every few months so keep checking it out. I order online usually, easiest for me. For bras, I order from www.figleaves.com. Huge selection once you know what size you are on their sizing chart.
Good luck!

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 12:13 am Post subject:

I stock up on jeans when I go home.

Otherwise, I have clothes made in Itaewon. Sometimes, I can find something in the big/tall area of APM department store in Dongdaemun. It's on maybe the 5th or 6th floor.