The Korean Wave in Dhaka's fashion scene
Korea’s soft, modest elegance is quietly reshaping Dhaka’s style scene, blending comfort with understated sophistication
In recent years, the fashion scene in Dhaka has taken a noticeable turn. The once-popular bold prints, glittery fabrics, and flashy colours are gradually fading, replaced by a softer and more refined look.
Pastel blouses, pleated skirts, flowy dresses, and ribbon hair clips are now more in trend, indicating a steady shift in the growing influence of Korean fashion.
A key factor behind this change is the widespread popularity of K-dramas and K-pop. Popular Korean dramas, such as 'When Life Gives You Tangerines,' are admired not only for their storylines but also for their fashion choices. In the show, the popular singer and actress IU was seen wearing hair clips that quickly turned into a trend.
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Raka Mahmud, a university student and self-proclaimed Korean drama addict, shared that she often takes outfit inspiration from K-dramas. She recalled pausing a scene from 'Twenty-Five Twenty-One' just to get a better look at the oversized blue and white striped shirt Kim Tae-ri was wearing. Not long after, she was at the New Market, searching to find something just like it.
Korean fashion places a strong emphasis on layering and subtle detailing. Vests over shirts, cardigans over dresses, and wide-leg trousers paired with tucked-in blouses are all key elements of the style. There is a clear preference for breathable materials like cotton blends, light crepe, and linen, making it not only stylish but also practical for Bangladesh's weather.
"I never used to wear belts, but now I've realised how a simple belt can instantly elevate a loose dress. It gives you that polished look without putting in too much effort," Raka added.
Dresses are at the heart of Korean women's fashion. Popular cuts include A-line shapes, wrap dresses in muted tones, and shirt dresses that tie at the waist. The colour palette leans towards pastels like white, lilac, sage green, dusty blue, and cream. These soft shades create a look that feels fresh without being loud. Design elements such as puffed sleeves, Peter Pan collars, pearl buttons, and bow-tied necklines add a sense of elegance while remaining subtle.
Accessories play an important role in completing the overall look. Items like velvet scrunchies, ribbon hair clips, dainty gold jewellery, structured mini handbags, pearl drop earrings, and minimalist shoulder bags are commonly paired with outfits. Shoes also follow the same theme, such as white sneakers, soft block heels, and neutral-toned loafers that are stylish without being loud.
The overall vibe is simple, feminine, and elegant.
Even beauty and hair trends tie in seamlessly: gradient lips, dewy makeup, low ponytails with oversized bows, and soft curls are all part of the aesthetic
"There is a growing love for the 'clean girl' aesthetic," said Faariha Arefin, a regular shopper at Police Plaza. "Korean fashion gives you that polished but modest look that works well in Dhaka."
Though there is no exclusive Korean fashion store in Dhaka yet, fashion enthusiasts have been searching for it all over the city. Many bring screenshots from dramas to their tailors, recreating the look using local fabrics. Others explore malls and online stores in search of pieces that capture the Korean aesthetic.
At Police Plaza, several boutiques carry items that reflect this style. 'Tuki Taki,' located on the first floor, is one such store. It offers pastel-toned dresses, puff-sleeve tops, high-waisted trousers, and peplum blouses.
"We get a lot of girls coming in with screenshots from dramas," shared Rohini, a salesperson at Tuki Taki.
"They will ask for something like 'that white dress from Business Proposal' or 'a blouse IU wore'. So we try to stock items with lace, soft pleats, and flowy fabrics that capture the feel of Korean fashion," she added.
The influence of Korean fashion extends beyond women's wear and is increasingly shaping men's style in Dhaka. Young men are also moving away from tight-fitting clothes and bold patterns in favour of oversized shirts, pastel-toned T-shirts, and relaxed trousers.
The shift is becoming increasingly noticeable in both casual and formal settings like university campuses, cafés and office settings where the soft, minimalist aesthetic is gaining popularity.
Practical and stylish accessories such as soft-toned cardigans, canvas sneakers, bucket hats, cross-body bags, and round glasses are becoming essential parts of many wardrobes, reflecting this growing trend.
"I started wearing wider pants and oversized shirts after watching EXO and BTS live stages," says Faiaz Rahman, a 24-year-old fashion enthusiast. "It's more comfortable and looks way better than I expected."
The colour palette in menswear reflects the same subtlety. Creams, olives, mocha browns, and muted blues dominate, creating a look that is calm and coordinated.
Korean fashion typically emphasises modesty, comfort, and simple elegance, offering a more refined alternative to louder, trend-driven styles.
In a busy city like Dhaka, where practicality, comfort and appearance often go hand in hand, this subtle and polished approach is steadily gaining popularity among fashion-conscious individuals.
