Seoul Shopping: Our top places to shop for K-style

Rana Wehbe 22 Apr 2015 updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:08

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Korean Fashion: Garuso gil
Garuso gil, which lies in the hip Shinsa-dong area is home to many home-grown cool boutiques which stock trendy outfits for both men and women. Stacked with independent and cutting edge fashion stores, such as Magnmag and 9owls Vintage, this is the place to go if you’re looking for some unique and trendy outfits to flaunt when you’re back home.

Apart from fashion retailers, the area is also home to many cafes and dessert shops as well as Korean beauty shops. Bonus: It is also the place to spot the streetstyle-worthy well-dressed and good looking crowd.
How to get there: Take the underground to Sinsa Station (Line 3, Exit 8)
Photo: Magnmag Facebook
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Korean Fashion: Garuso gil
Photo: 9owls Vintage Instagram
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Korean fashion: Dongdaemun market
Also known as the market that never sleeps. Literally, shops there open till dawn so it’s never too late to pick up those hoodies you’ve been coveting. Our pick in the area is Doota mall (pictured) which houses over 500 shops over 8 stories and where you can find all the Korean-made products from affordable trendy fashion to beauty and accessories. For the more quality-conscious crowd, explore the first floor where many established and upcoming local designers have small retail spaces. Our favourites would be labels such as LIE, How and What and partspARTs who are regulars at Seoul Fashion Week.
How to get there: Take the underground to Dongdaemun Station (Line 4, Exit 8)
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Designer and contemporary fashion: Cheongdam-dong
When PSY made his hit Gangnam Style song, he was describing the lifestyle of people living and shopping in this posh district. Located in Gangnam-gu area, this is where high end luxury stores can be found lining the main Cheongdam-dong Fashion Geori street.
If you’re looking to shop like a K-pop star, head to Galleria department store where you can find all the luxury brands from Louis Vuitton to Prada and Chanel and some contemporary labels also housed in the adjacent building.
Photo: Visit Seoul
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Designer and contemporary fashion: Cheongdam-dong
Want something more unique? Then you won’t be disappointed by the design-led heaven that is 10corsocommo which is just a short walk away on the main road. From books to furniture, décor and fashion – the keywords here are unique and contemporary. No wonder the place has been a mecca for discerning stylish crowds in Seoul, Shanghai, Beijing and Milan.

Another cool shop to check out is Beaker which focuses on contemporary fashion.
How to get there: Take the underground to Cheongdam Station (Line 7, Exit 8)
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Beauty products: Myeong-dong
While home-grown as well as international beauty brands are everywhere to be found in Seoul, we recommend going to Myeong-dong where all of them co-exist side by side on one street. A beauty shopping heaven, here is where you can buy face masks by the dozens as well as the latest innovations from Korea’s leading brands. Just make sure you have room in your suitcase as we’re pretty sure you’ll be tempted…

How to get there: Take the underground to Station (Line 4, Exits 5,6,7 or 8)
Photo: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
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Knick-knacks: Hongdae
Known as the university area, Hongdae is where the young Seoulites hang out to shop, eat and party. Open almost 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, this is where you can find cheap knick-knacks (superhero socks and K-pop posters anyone?) as well as hidden thrift shops and small retail shops selling the latest streetwear trends at affordable prices.

We recommend going early in the evening so you can survey the street art, catch amusing performers, grab a bite at the traditional BBQ eateries and take advantage of free Tequilla shots (for the ladies) at one of the many low-key clubs after you’ve finished shopping.
How to get there: Take the underground to Hongik Uni. Station (Line 2, Exit 9)
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Hongdae
Photo: Rana Wehbe
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Hongdae
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Art and traditional items: Insadong and Samcheongdong
If you’re shopping for art or for a traditional – and somehow slightly touristy – experience in Seoul, then head to the Insadong area where art galleries and traditional artefact shops and restaurants line the streets. While there, explore Samcheongdong and Bukchon Hanok Village nearby to muse over old Korean houses (Hanok), where you can shop at small outlets selling quaint items and vintage clothing. Samcheongdong has many clothing shops as well, most of them run by local designers.

How to get there: Take the underground to Anguk Station (Line 3, Exit 6)
Photo: Rana Wehbe
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Samcheongdong
Photo: Rana Wehbe
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Samcheongdong
Photo: Rana Wehbe

From cool streetwear fashion to amazing skincare and makeup, here’s where to head for your shopping fix in the Korean capital.

Move over Tokyo and Bangkok as Seoul is the new shopping capital of Asia!

Plastic surgery aside, Seoul has been attracting many discerning tourists who are looking for the latest fashion and beauty trends to be found at every corner in this bustling city. But while variety is good – getting lost trying to find what you’re looking for is not our idea of fun especially when we have other things to attend to (partying K-pop style anyone?)

Luckily for you, we’ve visited – and shopped in – this city a few times now so we can provide you with a concise guide to find what you’re looking for.

From cool and quirky streetwear to luxury fashion and those snail masks we swear by, here’s where to go for your shopping fix in Seoul.

Rana Wehbe

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