Korean Job Discussion Forums

[daskalos]

Hi Everybody. I'm starting a job in Seoul in July and ... I don't know what to wear. I guess I mean more off the job than on -- unless there's something very odd about classroom clothing etiquette. I've lived in several countries and understand that what's acceptably casual in one place can get you spit on in another. So, what's the dress code in Korea for an American male in his early 40s? Is there anything that's particularly out? Flip flops? Leiderhosen? Tie-dye tube tops? (Just kidding -- I don't own flip flops...)

Thanks for any advice.

[Hans Blix]

EDIT: wow i totally misread your post.

korea - particularly, as you might expect, outside the big cities - is more conservative than japan, which is probably the best comparison. in seoul, you can probably get away with most...

anyone have some good 'fashion don't' stories in korea? i've heard of older korean women pulling down the skirts of western girls that were a little too revealing, and one of my students told me about a korean boy on the subway who was dressed a la punk. a cantankerous old geezer gave the kid a right dressing down. but even my young student was shocked by this, and it could easily happen in the west.

i'd probably advise against cross-dressing, but who knows?

[daskalos]

Sorry, I really was kidding about the leiderhosen and tube top.

[StAxX SOuL]

Nothing too flamboyant. Things like ripped jeans, fancy patterns and anything which can distract the kids from learning is generally considered a no no.

If you're arriving in July you'll be hitting the centre of the worse time to be here, lol. In the temperatures you'll be best of wearing a T-Shirt and some thing trousers or jeans of sorts. Make sure you've got an umbrella too.

Just think back to what your teachers wore back home. Casual pair of jeans, or trousers and a plain jumper, sweater, t-shirt etc etc.

[ajgeddes]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

If you're talking about work it all depends on what you're teaching - children's hogwan, public school, uni, or adult academy?

[StAxX SOuL]

Ah, didn't read the post. Seemed odd to ask a question about what to wear outside of work, so assumed it was otherwise.

Essentially wear whatever you want. Most foreigners dress kind of plain and basic, but just do you. As for if you want to blend in with your fashion in different parts of town then it all depends where you are. I mean, somewhere like Apgujeong is much more fashion conscious than most other parts of Seoul so you'd be looking at Italian and boutique clothing at extra expense. But hey, great thing is that if you want to go to the club in trainers or to the bar then its all fine and dandy.

[LarrytheGiraffee]

As a man, the more femine the clothes the better you will fit in with the Korean men. If you like pastels, great. If you like to wear women's jean, you are golden.

Enjoy the heat and try to stay cool.