SweetxAesthetic

Purple - well more distinctly Very Peri has taken a hold of 2022 in an amazing way. Pantone has announced that the lavender blue hue is our go-to Color of the Year and I personally couldn't be more excited. Ironically in 2021 I decided to reevaluate my closet and curate a new elevated look for myself. Most of my clothes were casual chic (with some dressy sprinkled in) since I had been a Visual Merchandising Manager for so long. I had to wear stylish but comfy clothes so that I could manage my team, pick up heavy mannequins, climb up sky high ladders to put up window banners and more. So since leaving that field I was in great need of a wardrobe overhaul. 

And that's where purple comes in: it was one color I barely had anything in. I realized I bought so little purple because instead of a varying hue of purple being available it was instead just crayon purple. And to be honest that purple isn't the cutest but when paired right with other colors it can be a vibrant, head-turning look. Along with varying shades of purple I added more green (Greenbriar), yellow (Cornsilk) and blue (Tourmaline.) As well as more heels! Yeah! I then focused on only purchasing items that would elevate items I already have an viola - a whole new wardrobe and style was crafted.

So here are my style tips on how to color block outfits using Very Peri.

Do you like the new color of the year? Let me know in the comments!

For the first look I mixed and matched variations of purple with a trendy bubble coat to showcase effortless everyday style.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links. <3

 Shop the Trend

 Bubble coat ($68), Option 2 ($82) // long sleeve button up ($24), River Island twist front top ($64) // TopShop faux leather joggers ($74) // silver boots ($75) Jeffery Campbell pointed boot ($121) // purple bag ($25), Berksha option 2 ($29)

"Gonna take my horse on down to the Seoul Town Road. I'm gonna ride to I can't no mo."

The image of the American west has lasted for decades. Since the 1850's during the California gold rush cowboys and ranchers threw formal-wear out the window for workwear pieces. But not until the 1950's did the style become a trend thanks to Hollywood Western movies.

The style came in many iterations. Elvis loved his denim on denim with many accents and in the 80's we saw Prince in chaps with the butt out!  In the 90's we had a love affair with cowboy boots - just check out Ginuwine's Pony - then the 2010's saw a reemergence of the denim on denim. Finally today stars like Lil Nas X and Mylie Cyrus have brought the style back more colorful than ever. With Kpop being on such a global stage there's no wonder why the industry has taken a strong liking to the style - re-interpreting it to their own Seoul Town Road.

Stray Kids Thunderous, NCT 127 Sticker, Itzy Not Shy, Hyuna's cool everyday style, Monsta X Rush Hour, Kai Mhhh, Mino Tang, SHINee Don't Call Me and Everglow's Pirate are just some of the most recent times we've seen western fashion used in Kpop. 

Unfortunately the path hasn't always been so stylish and narrow. Earlier Kpop videos like Super junior and B1A4 come off very costumey and comical. Now western fashion isn't owned by one ethnic group so wearing it isn't offensive but when teetering into wearing native American clothing is is. For example the Native American headdress worn in Big Bangs Bang Bang Bang comes off as a mockery.  Thankfully newer artists and groups have realized this been more careful opting for reiterations of the west style.

Western fashion can range from boho thrift, festival wear and all the way up to high fashion. NCT 127 used Prada Saint Laurent, Rick Owens and Peter Do: mixing men's and womenswear in the Sticker video.

Millennial and Gen Z Kpop stars are leading the way for luxury western style. So why is the style immensely loved? Let's dive into the main 2 reasons.

Almost PAR-A-DIIIISE!

You know the tune :)

No matter if you love or hate the Korean version of Boys Over Flowers no one can deny how iconic it is. Yes, there are many cringe moments when rewatching (lol) but one aspect I just can't get over is the feeling I had watching it for the first time over 10 years ago. I just can't get enough of cocky, curly haired Lee Minho, endearing and clumsy Jandi and the F4 crew. So here are 4 BOF inspired looks to keep the Flower 4 love spreading!

@april_jay88 Reply to @eevy_y 🗣 Almost PARA-DIIISE #kdramafashion #boysoverflowersdrama ♬ 애인만들기 - SS501

This post contains affiliate links <3

Shop the look

 Graphic sweatshirt ($14) // multi plaid skater skirt ($21) // knee high boots ($69)

A Kpop Fashion History Podcast

Kpop and Kdramas are growing exponentially while the K-Beauty fare has died down. As the beauty world moves toward Skinimalism - simplified beauty - can K-Beauty keep up or will the 10 step regime finally be too much?

Let me know your thoughts! Email kpophistorypodcast@gmail.com or Tweet/DM @kfashionpodcast on Twitter

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From furry back jackets, helmets with capes and every variation of a mullet you can thing of - the Kpop fashion industry has created some of the most iconic looks in the world. 

And I'm here to dissect it. 

Welcome to a Kpop Fashion History Podcast!

If you like what you hear you can follow this podcast on Twitter @KFashionPodcast or email questions, comments or feedback to kpophistorypodcast@gmail.com.

I've been in love with K-Beauty for over 10 years ever since I walked into my first Skin Food store in the city of Samcheok right on the East Sea in South Korea. To see the vibrant enchanting packaging, to hear the exhilarating beats of a Kpop song blasted from the speakers and gazing upon the fun and unusual ingredients like bee venom infused into a tiny tinted gloss - was like nothing I had ever experienced before. Experiencing K-Beauty is like falling down a fun pink wall-papered rabbit hole you never want to get out of.

So it really tugs at my heart to hear the inevitable decline of Korean Beauty.