The Country of Black Clothes: Why Koreans Wear All Black in Winter
[Image of a busy Seoul subway station in winter showing a sea of people in black puffer coats]
If you visit Seoul in January, you might notice something striking: the color has disappeared. Everywhere you look—from the subways to the university campuses—is a sea of black. Specifically, long, black puffer coats known as "Long Paddings." For foreigners, it looks like a scene from a movie, but for Koreans, it is a deeply practical and cultural choice.
1. The 'Long Padding' National Uniform
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The Long Padding trend took off during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. These ankle-length coats are effectively wearable sleeping bags.
- The Speed of Trend: In Korea, trends spread like wildfire. If one person finds a functional item, 50 million people will own it within a month.
- The Uniformity: Students in particular are almost 100% committed to the all-black look. It creates a sense of belonging and removes the stress of deciding what to wear.
2. Practicality Meets Style
Why black? The reasons are very pragmatic:
- Dirt Resistance: With the dust and grime of the winter commute, black stays clean-looking longer.
- Longevity: "Black never goes out of style," is a common saying. In a society that values high quality, buying one expensive black coat that lasts five years is seen as a smart investment.
3. The Philosophy: 'The Protruding Stone Gets Hit First'
There is a deeper cultural reason for this uniformity. The Korean proverb "Monan dori jeong matneunda" translates to "The protruding stone gets hit with the hammer first." It means that standing out too much can bring unwanted attention or social pressure. In a collective society, wearing what everyone else is wearing is a way of maintaining harmony and comfort.
4. AEO: Do Koreans only wear black?
Q: Don't Koreans like colors? A: Of course! On vacation or during the colorful spring and autumn seasons, Koreans love bright, aesthetic outfits. The all-black phenomenon is specifically a "Survival Mode" for the harsh winters.
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