Korean Job Discussion Forums

[verseinu]

I'll be heading out for daegu in a few weeks and I was wondering about the ease/difficulty in finding clothing.

I am about 5'10, 160lbs with a size 10/10.5 foot. will I have much trouble finding clothes that fit. i am also curious about running shoes, does anyone know of any good places that sell high quality running gear (in daegu)?

Thanks!

[Epicurus]

[verseinu]

I was under the impression things were cheaper in general?

[Epicurus]

[DCJames]

[Forward Observer]

verseinu,

I have bought more than a few items of clothing in the last three years here. Let's start with sizing. A Korean man's large polo shirt from Ralph Lauren would fit a 13 year old boy in America. There are several reasons for this, but take into account that Koreans are usually much thinner and a bit smaller than the average western man. Now factor in that Korean men like to wear their shirts tight. Very tight. Not always, but most of the time.

I stand at almost 6 feet. I have a swimmers build. I do not like tight shirts. If I buy a shirt that was either made in Korea, or in the case of RL polo - Hong Kong, I have to get an XXL - for that little bit loose fit. But the shirt will be too long. So I have to get it altered a bit - raised at the bottom. Just about 1-1.5 inches. Hong Kong sizes are supposed to be just like American sizes, but trust me they're not. I had my folks send me a RL polo shirt from the states, and the fit is perfect, while a Hong Kong Large is a bit smaller. Just a bit. But imported shirts that are made in HK for Koreans are smaller than that!

If I were the type to wear ultra tight shirts, then I'd buy an XL. A large would be too tight and look really stupid.

Pants - they measure waist size and length in inches. Again, because Koreans like tight clothes, the pants will run a bit tighter than they would back home. It's really hard to find anything over 32 length in Korea - many stores simply don't carry lengths that long. Korean men, even the taller ones have very short legs. Their upper body is long - so they're taller, but their legs remain around 32 at the most. This is true for men that are over 6 feet tall as well. Not always, but that's the rule of thumb.

There are stores that carry imports. There's an area called Dongdaemun that has discount stores everywhere. You'll find a building called Dootah. Go down to the b1 or b2 level where all the imports are. Plenty to choose from there.

Other options include Itaewon, where all the western catered goods seems to be - although, I personally don't like shopping there because I think the prices seem to be inflated a bit. People say that Itaewon shopkeepers buy their goods from Namdaemun and Dongdaemun discount markets and resell them at 30% higher in their shops. This is an unconfirmed report. You'll just have to shop around to find out the truth.


The best thing you can do is save a bit of money and go shopping in Hong Kong. They have more variety, more sales, and don't rip you off every two seconds. In Korea, an imported shirt costs a lot more than it does back home. The only things that are cheap in Korea, are the goods made in China, and they'll fall apart on you inside of three months.

Here's what I do:

1. Korean shirt made in Korea for Koreans: XXL
2. Imported shirt made outside of Korea for Koreans: XL
3. Imported shirt that doesn't have Korean writing on the care tag: L

Same goes for pants. Just go one size up in case of waist though, because they usually wear it too tight. Best thing to do is ask to try it on first though.



Good luck

[PRagic]

Actually, you can buy off-the-rack suits dirt cheap here if you look/ask around. The quality is similar to what you'd find at Marshall's in the US. Depends on your size, though. At only 5'10", the OP has a chance. You can get cheap dress shirts, too, if you don't have a neck larger than a 16 and arms longer than 32.

I'd go with the previous posters' advice, though, and stock up before you come over.

[seonsengnimble]

The most difficult thing for me to find is shoes. I wear 10.5 and have had a lot of difficulty finding anything above a ten. Cheap dress shoes are easy to find in homeplus or emart, but tennis shoes are considerably harder to find even in Itaewon.

[PRagic]

I get running shoes here cheaper than back in the US, mostly because they can't sell the larger sizes. You have to find the sales, but I wear a 12/12.5 and find a pair a year or two (burn through them running and in the gym).

Shoes? Better off bringing them with you. Don't bother with boots, though, if you'll be in Seoul. No need. A decent pair of hiking shoes is recommended as you'll undoubtably be up a mountain every other weekend for your first 6 months. It's a national past time and a great way to get out of the city.