Besides Seo Ye Ji and Kim Soo Hyun‘s It’s Okay To Not Be Okay, there’s another Korean drama that has been garnering buzz. Titled Backstreet Rookie after the webtoon, the show stars Ji Chang-wook as Choi Dae-hyun and Kim You-jung as Jung Saet-byul and it follows their life working at a convenience store and their eventual romantic relationship.
Beyond the premise of the show, another factor that caught our eyes was the cool, relatable style spotted. We dissect six of our favourite looks and teach you how to easily recreate them for yourself.
You can’t go wrong with a basic denim jacket, especially finding one that’s a good fit for you. It’s easy to incorporate, extremely versatile, and when taken care of – long-lasting and durable.
If you’re looking to go simple, pair it just like how Saet-Byul did, with a basic jean skirt of a similar wash, a white top, and a crossbody bag. It’s a youthful and relaxed look that’ll give you the chill, laid-back vibe.
Think gold jewellery is quite “auntie”? It’s really an elegant and timeless wardrobe piece when paired with the correct outfit.
Go for simple shapes and silhouettes, and find one that frames your face well. If you’re looking to wear a gold jewellery piece on a daily basis, perhaps go for a more subtle and dainty look, such as the one worn by the character Yoo Yeon-Joo (as seen in the picture).
Style it with a pair of sneakers and the right accessories, and you could turn a bodycon dress into a casual look for everyday wear. But pair it with a fitting blazer and the right shoes, and it could be your next meeting conference look.
Though bodycon dresses can seem intimidating at first (especially given how tight it can be), when you find the right size and length for your body type, it can easily turn into a wardrobe staple you’d be glad to have.
Wear these dresses similar to how Yoo Yeon-Joo wears it for a classic business chic look – pair it with dainty jewellery, a pair of heels, and a plain handbag, and you’re good to go.
Playing around with block-coloured pieces can be fun, especially if you also mix and match the materials, like mixing silk with satin, corduroy with denim, or chiffon with velvet. By pairing different materials and textures, you’ll add dimension to the overall outfit and elevate your look.
When worn right, neutral colours can make you look polished and refined since they are timeless and versatile. Plus, a neutral-toned outfit can take you from day to night, so you can go from the office to date by just switching out your shoes and accessories.
Pull off a neutral-toned outfit like Saet-Byul by pairing a neutral-toned dress with simple heels and a crossbody bag.
There are so many ways to style a dress – tuck it in, and it could be a shirt, wear a top over it, and you could use the bottom half as a skirt. Or if the dress unbuttons all the way down, you can even use it as outerwear. Throw in one with patterns, and you can have a stand-out piece in your wardrobe that’s multifunctional and easy on the eyes.
Wear your patterned dress like Saet-Byul, and pair it with heels and a crossbody bag for a girly look.
Text: Sally Manik/CLEO
Additional reporting: Ho Guo Xiong