Korean Job Discussion Forums

aweitzm1 · Joined: 23 Mar 2010 Location: Florida

I know this has been addressed before but I am reading different responses to posts and wanted to find out if I will be able to find clothing that fits me in Korea. I cannot possible fit all my clothing that I would need for a year in my luggage and would prefer to buy new items when needed.

I am 5'11 and between a size 10/12 in the US. Will I be able to find jeans/pants that fit me and are long enough?

For shirts/blouses I am a M/L in the US and my shoe size is 8.

I have been told by Korean Co-Workers in the US that I will be able to find clothes in Seoul. However after reading numerous posts it seems I may find it difficult to find my size.

I am moving from Florida so I will have zero winter clothes and will need to buy everything in Korea. Is that possible?

Can some one clarify for me. I will be living in Mokdong are there any good clothing stores that I can find my size in the area?

Thanks in advance.

DorkothyParker · Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Location: Jeju

I'm a size 7.5/8 in shoes and I have had no trouble finding ones that fit. Generally, I go for a 240.

Jeans/pants may be difficult to find. There are western clothing stores like Forever 21, H&M, the GAP. You'll find all these stores and more in Myeongdong. I've definitely seen many taller Korean women so they must buy their jeans somewhere!
I noticed that regular dept. store brands generally fit like clothes back home. The sizes translate roughly the same. It costs a little bit more than back home, but if you have a shopping urge, you won't need to go without.

onlyinkorea87 · Joined: 16 Feb 2010 Location: Gimhae

No worries! You should be fine finding clothes here. Pants come in waist size--25-30 in..so if you fit that cool. Also you can tons of stuff in Seoul--I can't remember the place!!!! Anyways, you shouldn't worry! You'll be good, when you get here, or if already, ask foreigners you see, they should be able to guide you in the right direction! Smile

Good luck!

DorkothyParker · Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Location: Jeju

Well if she's 5'11" she's probably rocking a 34" inseam so I would think that would be the greater dilemma than waist size.

Jane · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

Shoe size won't be a problem, but otherwise, you're best to bring as many clothes as you can.

The average size here is a 6 or something, and the highest size I've seen in pants (and only at a few stores) is a 28-30. This is about a 10.

Second, the western brands like Forever 21 sell Asian sizes, not US ones. It means the large, for example, is like a medium.

aweitzm1 · Joined: 23 Mar 2010 Location: Florida

Thanks for the advice. I think I will pack as many pants as I can and less shirts and blouses. I can probably find them more easily then jeans/pants in Seoul.
Someone mentioned to me to bring snow boots. Is it realistic that I will need them in Korea? Does it snow in Seoul? Being from Florida I do not know anything about cold weather. All I have is one wool winter coat.

peppermint · Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 1:08 pm Post subject:

I'm Canadian and I never bother with snow boots here, but you'll definitely want socks and closed toe shoes during winter months. It snows a little in Seoul, but it's very rare to get enough that it would cover the top of a regular pair of shoes

toxicblue · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

you'll be able to find shirts and shoes no problem here. i'm a size 10 and fit fine into the L sizes at Forever 21 and at H&M i've seen up to size 14 (labelled in European on the price tag, but with US sizes on the inside tag). Also, i'm a 9/10 in shoes and i've bought them at forever 21, h&m, and a shoe store in itaewon
as for pants, i would bring as many tall/long pants as you can.. i'm only 5'9 and the pants are too short for me at h&m/forever 21.. i buy them anyways in skinny jean form and just tuck them in anyways, but they're definitely too short! and last time i went to gap to look for pants they didnt have any long sizes

nomad-ish · Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 5:52 pm Post subject:

i think your biggest problem will be pants. i'm shorter than you (5'10") and i have a hard time finding a decent length. i have found some long jeans at forever 21, but i had to really search for them.

don't worry about shoes at all; it doesn't sound like you'll have a problem there. for snow boots you can always get a 10,000-15,000 won pair of imitation ugg boots during the winter time.