Re crochet: I think it depends on where you live and what other elements you have in your closet on whether it will work for someone. Me: no. I don’t have enough funky modern items. I would look “grandma-core”.
"...But there are enough similarities in shape and fabric that the dress connects me to my heritage and history whenever I put it on my body." I really loved this part - connecting with your heritage - beautiful, Irene.
I love everything you wrote about how this dress made you feel connected to South Korea even though it probably isn't. That's why I love your newsletter, the cultural add-on and the way you write about it is definitely what sets you apart. I have tried a hanbok during my first trip in South Korea, like a real one with all the layers. It was in a beautiful lemon green hue and like you I felt very dignified wearing it. It also made me think how Korean women lived in these clothes because I really believe that when you wear clothes from the past whatever the culture, it makes you realise a little bit some things about women at that time.
Thank you for the kind words, and what a cool experience! I had a sari made for me in Nepal and I've worn a few over the years. And, you're right, it made me think about the women who wear it everyday and what they're lives are like. One cool thing I noticed about every sari I wore - the way the blouse is cut forces you into good posture. I felt like I was standing tall every time I wore one.
I loved reading about the hanbok and the connection you feel to your heritage through wearing a dress that has a similar vibe. Even though it makes me sad that traditional garments are no longer worn as much (and sometimes it feels that monoculture is taking over everything), it's still so nice to see that some connections survive, even in the unlikeliest of ways.
P.S. After watching Kingdom on Netflix a few years ago I became obsessed with traditional Korean garments for some time. The volume of the clothes is/was spectacular. And the men's hats! The gat was very prominently shown in Kingdom. What a spectacular headpiece!
"Even though it makes me sad that traditional garments are no longer worn as much"... I was thinking about this while writing this. I was trying to think back to where I've been where a good proportion of people were still wearing traditional garments - India and Nepal came to mind and those are the only place I can say for sure...this might be an article! I know for Korea this changed in a major way after the war and American influence (the US military has been stationed in Korea since the end of the war, and even today there are 30,000 US military personnel in Korea) . I wonder when it changed for other countries and why?
One of my favorite things about traveling in India, many years ago, was observing the gorgeous variety of ways in which traditional clothing was worn. Dhoti (which look a bit like skirts to the Western eye) looked so stylish on men and made so much sense in the heat. Thank you for another beautiful newsletter, Irene. Style vs. substance is a false dichotomy! (And that photo of Raph's dol...🥹❤️)
Awww so nice of you. But you were certainly born to be a super chic stylist. Did you watch K drama MINE? In Netflix? You would enjoy the visuals. Everybody dresses to kill. Even the nun carries a Hermès Birkin.
So I think your costume prices are reasonable and relatively available even on sites like SSENSE and Shopbop, but I think solid gold would be quite a bit more - my guess would be double what you quoted. For solid gold, an option is to try a local jeweller who will custom make your pieces. I know some in Toronto who can replicate pieces at half of retail!
I loved this! I really appreciate how thoughtful you are about style so it’s more than just about how we look.
Side tracking: would you be up for recommending options for jewelry? I love delicate AND chunky jewelry because both can bring such contrast to an outfit. But it’s tough to find good quality but not insanely expensive jewelry that I can wear without worry to the park with my kids but also not have to worry about it tarnishing
Love your dress and love the culture aspect to your writing here.
And respect to Amy S., however I love when someone compliments me on a cool shoe or item of clothing I am wearing ( as long as the compliment appears genuine🙃).
Thank you, Josanne. Yes! This reminds me of a tweet/meme by Derek where someone compliments your outfit and you launch into a monologue about its history etc lol... the excitement is real!
Love the Pachinko discussion as a complement to your lovely dress and other fab outfits. The book was haunting - I couldn’t put it down - and of course centered the role of women’s work - washing and working cloth, garments… defining identity.
Yes, it was WILD reading that book. So many things she wrote about, whether about the role of women's work, complicated Japanese-Korean relations, the place of Koreans in Japanese society past and present, rang so true to my personal history. Have you watched the series? It's differs from the book but still engaging and visually stunning.
The series is beautifully shot. I had just read the book and was greedy for more, wanted every page! I’ll watch it again. Japanese cinema and stories are so engrained in hollywood - cool to see pachinko and past lives center Korean stories in the last year-ish, but that’s like… two. That said there’s doubtless a lot of cool stuff that I’m missing.
I loved reading this and found resonances with an exhibition I edited text for this spring at the Cleveland Museum of Art called “Korean Couture: Generations of Revolution.” The show includes (among contemporary fashions by Andre Kim and Lee Jean Youn) a woman’s jeogori from the 1600s. It was amazing to see the delicate fabric for wrapping on the top, and I love seeing how it would pair with a skirt in the photos you show here.
I loved reading about Han Bok and how the dress makes you feel. And Diotma is dreamy— definitely on my wish list. Bottega crochet flats are tempting too. 😘
Oh yes, I've been drooling over Diotima for a while, but I'm still unsure if I could pull it off IRL... I saw it at Bergdorf's but didn't try anything on. Gah!
Re crochet: I think it depends on where you live and what other elements you have in your closet on whether it will work for someone. Me: no. I don’t have enough funky modern items. I would look “grandma-core”.
"...But there are enough similarities in shape and fabric that the dress connects me to my heritage and history whenever I put it on my body." I really loved this part - connecting with your heritage - beautiful, Irene.
Thank you, Veronica :).
I love everything you wrote about how this dress made you feel connected to South Korea even though it probably isn't. That's why I love your newsletter, the cultural add-on and the way you write about it is definitely what sets you apart. I have tried a hanbok during my first trip in South Korea, like a real one with all the layers. It was in a beautiful lemon green hue and like you I felt very dignified wearing it. It also made me think how Korean women lived in these clothes because I really believe that when you wear clothes from the past whatever the culture, it makes you realise a little bit some things about women at that time.
Thank you for the kind words, and what a cool experience! I had a sari made for me in Nepal and I've worn a few over the years. And, you're right, it made me think about the women who wear it everyday and what they're lives are like. One cool thing I noticed about every sari I wore - the way the blouse is cut forces you into good posture. I felt like I was standing tall every time I wore one.
I loved reading about the hanbok and the connection you feel to your heritage through wearing a dress that has a similar vibe. Even though it makes me sad that traditional garments are no longer worn as much (and sometimes it feels that monoculture is taking over everything), it's still so nice to see that some connections survive, even in the unlikeliest of ways.
P.S. After watching Kingdom on Netflix a few years ago I became obsessed with traditional Korean garments for some time. The volume of the clothes is/was spectacular. And the men's hats! The gat was very prominently shown in Kingdom. What a spectacular headpiece!
"Even though it makes me sad that traditional garments are no longer worn as much"... I was thinking about this while writing this. I was trying to think back to where I've been where a good proportion of people were still wearing traditional garments - India and Nepal came to mind and those are the only place I can say for sure...this might be an article! I know for Korea this changed in a major way after the war and American influence (the US military has been stationed in Korea since the end of the war, and even today there are 30,000 US military personnel in Korea) . I wonder when it changed for other countries and why?
One of my favorite things about traveling in India, many years ago, was observing the gorgeous variety of ways in which traditional clothing was worn. Dhoti (which look a bit like skirts to the Western eye) looked so stylish on men and made so much sense in the heat. Thank you for another beautiful newsletter, Irene. Style vs. substance is a false dichotomy! (And that photo of Raph's dol...🥹❤️)
Thank you so much!! The local jeweler is a great idea. I really appreciate your help.
Would've loved enjoying S2 if my also fav novel with you in it...🫤
Oh man, I wish I could do it just for you, but me and acting are not friends lol!
Awww so nice of you. But you were certainly born to be a super chic stylist. Did you watch K drama MINE? In Netflix? You would enjoy the visuals. Everybody dresses to kill. Even the nun carries a Hermès Birkin.
I have not, but now I will check it out!
Imagine how beautiful the clothes of the female characters was that it had it's own twitter account.
https://metro.style/fashion/metrostylewatch/mine-netflix-k-drama-fashion/30328
Thank you! Great question! This may reflect a lack of understanding of the market
Solid gold (assuming no diamonds etc)
Ring sub-US$150?!
Bracelet sub-US$200
Necklace sub-US$300
Costume / gold plated (assuming no stones/gems etc)
Ring sub-US$100?!
Bracelet sub-US$100
Necklace sub-US$200
So I think your costume prices are reasonable and relatively available even on sites like SSENSE and Shopbop, but I think solid gold would be quite a bit more - my guess would be double what you quoted. For solid gold, an option is to try a local jeweller who will custom make your pieces. I know some in Toronto who can replicate pieces at half of retail!
I loved this! I really appreciate how thoughtful you are about style so it’s more than just about how we look.
Side tracking: would you be up for recommending options for jewelry? I love delicate AND chunky jewelry because both can bring such contrast to an outfit. But it’s tough to find good quality but not insanely expensive jewelry that I can wear without worry to the park with my kids but also not have to worry about it tarnishing
Hi Xue! Are you looking for real (solid) gold jewellery vs. costume?
Thanks so much! Would love decently priced solid gold; if not, decent quality costume! Any recs would be much appreciated!
And what would you considered decent priced for both!
Love your dress and love the culture aspect to your writing here.
And respect to Amy S., however I love when someone compliments me on a cool shoe or item of clothing I am wearing ( as long as the compliment appears genuine🙃).
Thank you, Josanne. Yes! This reminds me of a tweet/meme by Derek where someone compliments your outfit and you launch into a monologue about its history etc lol... the excitement is real!
Love the Pachinko discussion as a complement to your lovely dress and other fab outfits. The book was haunting - I couldn’t put it down - and of course centered the role of women’s work - washing and working cloth, garments… defining identity.
Yes, it was WILD reading that book. So many things she wrote about, whether about the role of women's work, complicated Japanese-Korean relations, the place of Koreans in Japanese society past and present, rang so true to my personal history. Have you watched the series? It's differs from the book but still engaging and visually stunning.
The series is beautifully shot. I had just read the book and was greedy for more, wanted every page! I’ll watch it again. Japanese cinema and stories are so engrained in hollywood - cool to see pachinko and past lives center Korean stories in the last year-ish, but that’s like… two. That said there’s doubtless a lot of cool stuff that I’m missing.
I loved reading this and found resonances with an exhibition I edited text for this spring at the Cleveland Museum of Art called “Korean Couture: Generations of Revolution.” The show includes (among contemporary fashions by Andre Kim and Lee Jean Youn) a woman’s jeogori from the 1600s. It was amazing to see the delicate fabric for wrapping on the top, and I love seeing how it would pair with a skirt in the photos you show here.
Oh that's incredible, Aumaine! I googled the exhibition and will link it here for anyone wanting to read more about it: https://www.clevelandart.org/exhibitions/korean-couture-generations-revolution.
I admit I don't recognize the designers mentioned in the exhibit other than LIE. Thank you for sharing this, I will look into this!
Have you ever found another one of your Valentino tweed jacket online? 😍 WANT
Funny, I did on NAP! There was one left but it’s gone now! Let me take a Quick Look again…
Here is the OG link. I bought it second hand at a fraction of that! https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-us/shop/product/valentino-garavani/clothing/smart/checked-metallic-wool-blend-tweed-jacket/10163292708819068?cm_mmc=LinkshareUS-_-QFGLnEolOWg-_-Custom-_-LinkBuilder&utm_source=rakuten&utm_medium=affiliation&utm_campaign=US_2575853&utm_content=US_LTK&utm_term=QFGLnEolOWg-4peCMlXbhghvwbubKJ4E2w&ranMID=24449&ranEAID=QFGLnEolOWg&ranSiteID=QFGLnEolOWg-4peCMlXbhghvwbubKJ4E2w&siteID=QFGLnEolOWg-4peCMlXbhghvwbubKJ4E2w&linkshare_siteID=QFGLnEolOWg-4peCMlXbhghvwbubKJ4E2w&linkshare_affiliate_mid=24449
Was 108 degrees IN my car after it sitting outside for an hour🤦🏽♀️. In shorts weather hard core now with whole leg showing.
Oh dear :/
That is madness!
I loved reading about Han Bok and how the dress makes you feel. And Diotma is dreamy— definitely on my wish list. Bottega crochet flats are tempting too. 😘
Oh yes, I've been drooling over Diotima for a while, but I'm still unsure if I could pull it off IRL... I saw it at Bergdorf's but didn't try anything on. Gah!
YOU unsure? Bustier queen? Ms Awake Mode model? Hellloooo? I say we do it.