K-pop is taking over the world right now, and its stars have found worldwide fame, with the genre's fashion inspiring the catwalk and the high street alike. If you adore the K-pop look and want to try it out yourself, we've got the guide you need to do so - even if you're on a super tight budget. So, whether you want to channel Blackpink's Jennie or BTS's Jung Kook, get ready to have fun and get creative.
Choose Pastel Colors
A pastel palette is the foundation of the K-pop star look - think lots of bright, light shades worn together, often with a splash of black to add some edge. Get the look on a budget by scouring thrift and vintage stores for t-shirts, sweaters, pants, and shorts in pastel blues, yellows, pinks, and greens - the eighties was a great decade for these colors, so you might just uncover a vintage bargain.
Look out for inexpensive accessories in pastel shades, too, when putting together your K-pop look: backpacks, cute fluffy keyrings which can be attached to a belt or bag, socks, and hair accessories are just a few of the options. And talking of hair: K-pop stars don't just favor pastel garments; they also love to dye their hair in bright hues, too, so if you're feeling brave, experiment with some temporary hair dye.
Statement Silver Jewelry
When K-pop stars wear jewelry, they want the world to notice their bling - to get the look, think large, stacked silver chains, a collection of mismatched silver bangles, and huge drop earrings and hoops. Silver and diamante chokers, statement vintage-look brooches, and oversized rings also feature heavily.
Surprisingly, this element of the K-pop aesthetic can also be achieved on a budget - try having a look for the cheapest place to buy silver online to get a jewelry bargain. Again, thrift and vintage stores could also prove to be treasure troves when it comes to necklaces, bracelets, and rings.
Knee-High Socks and Fishnets
An inexpensive way to add some K-pop attitude to your outfit is through colorful knee-high socks and embellished fishnets - these can be regularly changed up, too, to keep your K-pop look fresh. Don't worry about matching colors and patterns with the rest of your ensemble; in fact, the louder, brighter, and more clashing the look, the better! And if you can only stretch to one style? Go for plaid, one of K-pop's most worn patterns.
Hair Styling
A great way to emulate your favorite K-pop star without spending a cent is through hair styling. K-pop stars adore being creative with their hair, and this extends beyond dying it a rainbow of pastel hues! Tiny, intricate braiding and multiple buns and ponytails play a big role - and you can also incorporate the sorts of accessories you have lying around - bits of ribbon, mismatching hair clips, dried flowers - let your imagination run wild!
Many K-pop stars favor bangs, so experiment with your own: try poker straight or curled, or even adorned with hair glitter.
Get Creative with Makeup
Use the makeup you already own to create an authentic K-pop look. The trick is to use at least three different pastel shades on the eyes and a dusting of iridescent shimmer on the cheeks. In Korea, dewy, natural-looking skin is prized, so the aim is to create a natural, healthy glow. Face glitter and embellishments are also inexpensive ways of upping the ante of your K-Pop look.
Unusual Layering Combos
You can create a K-pop look simply by wearing your existing clothes in combinations you may not have considered before. Layering is a major part of the K-pop aesthetic: try wearing a summer dress over a turtleneck jumper or frilly blouse (again, if the colors or patterns clash, all the better!), a waistcoat over a tunic dress, or a fitted blazer on top of a retro eighties band t-shirt.
The Takeaway: Nailing the K-pop Look on a Budget
If you're a fan of K-pop, you'll be pleased to know that emulating the look of your favorite stars is easy - even if you're on a tight budget. The DIY nature of the K-pop aesthetic means you can get as creative as you like when putting together your outfit and bring together a variety of colors, patterns, and accessories, many of which you may already own.
So, choose pastel-colored garments and make-up, opt for a few pairs of colorful knee-high socks, get layering, and make your K-pop-inspired fashion dreams come true.
