For those who get their Korean drama fix from Netflix, you’ve probably seen or been watching Private Lives, a series with a unique plot on a group of swindlers going against conglomerates that operate the national politics from behind the scenes. The show stars Girls’ Generation Seohyun and Go Kyung-pyo as the main leads with Kim Hyo-jin and Crash Landing On You‘s Kim Young-min rounding off the cast. But besides the plot and excellent casting, the fashion and style of Seohyun and Kim have caught our eyes.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best style tips you can learn from the two female leads.
Let’s start off this list with something simple — swapping your basic plain T-shirt for one with logos, monograms and appliques. This will easily add visual interest and allow you to have some fun with the classic T-shirt and jeans combo that you sport on dress-down Fridays or on weekends.
Another easy look to get you started, off-shoulder necklines have proven themselves to be very popular on and off the red carpet time and time again. And for good reason. They allow us to show off a little skin and sex appeal while staying cool and comfortable, especially in Singapore’s heat.
If you have a lot of pretty scarves lying around your wardrobe and can’t figure out what to do with them, try wearing them around your neck like a necklace. The scarf here softens both the starkness of the black dress and the sleekness of the bodycon silhouette.
When we are accessorising around a V-neckline like the blazer sported on Seohyun here, we tend to go for complementary silhouettes such as pendants and chokers. Instead, she was styled with a lariat necklace that extends beyond the neckline that creates a unique visual dynamic. Moral of the story: don’t be afraid of layering accessories and jewellery that might not go well together at first thought.
Heading an important meeting? Make sure you look the part and opt for a bold, statement-making blazer like the red colourway seen here on Kim. We also love how the shoulder pads add to her petite frame and make her look more commanding.
Blazers are a staple in our wardrobe, but they often come in thicker, heavier fabrics that suffocate once you step out of the air-conditioned office. The solution? Opt for a light and airy linen blazer that will still keep you warm when the mercury dips.
Likewise, cotton isn’t the only fabric available in fashion. As such, don’t be afraid to shop for pieces made with patent leather (such as the one Seohyun is wearing), leather, faux fur, silk and more to layer and juxtapose with existing clothing.
Playing swindlers, it is paramount that the main characters look the part. Likewise, for those looking to project a different image at work or at home, dress and accessories accordingly. Here, Seohyun puts on glasses to look more like a doctor. So if you’re trying to look more commanding, try blazers and pantsuits. To look more feminine and girly, try frilly sundresses and rattan bags, and so on and so forth.
Many people are afraid of wearing animal prints as they’re afraid it can look tacky and dated. But made with the right design and silhouette, such as the loose sheer blouse with an extended collar seen here on Kim, an animal print design can look stylish and modern. So consider these factors when you’re picking up your next animal print outfit.
Now that you’ve mastered all the above styling tips and techniques, it is time to conquer one of the most challenging: clashing prints. Kim masterfully clashes her polka dot top with floral skirt by selecting similar colourways. Both are made with a black base and contain colours from similar families (reds, oranges and pinks), resulting in a stylish outfit worth of praise.
Text: Ho Guo Xiong