Have you been invited to a Korean wedding?
Here’s what to expect and consider when choosing your outfit as a guest at a Korean wedding.
Quick Summary
- Korean wedding guests dress in semi-formal to formal wear. It’s called “hagaek look” in Korean.
- It’s either a business outfit or almost like funeral attire, just like the recent debate on Jennie’s black-and-white wedding guest outfit according to the Kukmin Ilbo article.
- Korean wedding fashion is a strange combination where the bride and groom wear a Western wedding dress and tuxedo, their mothers wear traditional hanbok outfits, their fathers wear suits, and the guests wear business outfits.
Korean Wedding Guest Outfits for Women
Ideal outfits for women attending a Korean wedding are formal dresses or skirts and blouses in subdued colors. Demure is a key here!
Many Korean women wear black outfits as the safest choice.
Black, navy, and earth tones are also accepted.
Dresses are usually knee-length or longer, and shoulders are covered.
Avoid white or bright dresses, as white is reserved for the bride, and bright colors will stand out too much.
Also, do not wear a hanbok unless you’re a family member or close relative of the bride and groom. The mothers usually rent or buy the matching hanbok outfits.
Korean Wedding Guest Outfits for Men
(Photo courtesy of Sports Today)
Men attending Korean weddings wear suits.
A dark or neutral-colored suit (like black, navy, or gray) is most appropriate.
Make sure your attire is neat and wrinkle-free.
Ties can be simple or skipped. Korean men wear dress shoes when attending a wedding as well.
A nice watch, pocket square, or conservative cufflinks can add a touch of sophistication.
The fathers of the bride and groom rarely wear a hanbok, and usually wear suits instead.
Do Foreign Guests Have to Follow Korean Dress Etiquette?
Yes and no. If you’re a non-Korean attending a Korean wedding, you don’t need to stress too much about following every Korean dress etiquette rule.
Even though Koreans are mindful of wedding attire, they will understand that cultural norms are different by country. Except when it’s too much.
As long as your outfit looks polished and respectful, you’ll fit in just fine.
For men, a dark suit with a dress shirt and tie is always a safe option.
Please put on dress shoes, though. Do not wear flip-flops, running shoes, or sneakers, as they are considered somewhat disrespectful in Korea.
For women, a modest dress, skirt and blouse, or semi-formal outfit work well.
Avoid overly revealing clothing, and opt for stylish shoes whether they’re low heels or high heels.
You don’t have to worry too much about uncomfortable shoes because you’re not going to be standing and mingling at a Korean wedding. It lasts 30 minutes to an hour, and you’ll be seated most of the time.
I wouldn’t suggest wearing wedding guest dresses that you’d normally wear in the States. They’re so cute, but you’ll stand out more than you’d want to.
Bright red and neon colors are also too bold for a Korean wedding, as they draw too much attention.
Instead, safe color choices are black, navy, and soft neutrals. These colors keep your outfit stylish without overshadowing the bride.
Now, I just realized it sounds like you should follow the Korean wedding guest dress code. But it’s really up to you. You can pick whatever you’re comfortable with as long as your outfit looks respectable!
Korean weddings often feature a brief, formal ceremony that lasts 30 minutes to an hour, followed by a meal (mostly, a buffet).
It’s best to aim for refined, understated fashion!
