I am a larger-sized foreigner living in Korea?

Sofia Ivanova ·

I am a larger-sized foreigner living in Korea and I am struggling to find clothes that fit. Where can I buy plus-size clothing, and what are my options?

1 Answer

Lisa Nguyen ·

Finding plus-size clothing in Korea can be challenging since Korean sizing tends to run small, but there are options. Here's where to look:

Online shopping (best selection)

  • Coupang: Search "빅사이즈" (big size). Wide variety and fast delivery.
  • Musinsa: Korea's biggest fashion platform. Filter by size. They've expanded their size range recently.
  • 4XR (4xr.co.kr): Specialized plus-size fashion for men and women
  • Brandi and Zigzag: Women's fashion apps with big size categories
  • ASOS and H&M Korea: International sizing, reliable plus-size sections

Physical stores in Seoul

  • Itaewon: Shops here cater to foreigners and often carry larger sizes
  • Dongdaemun: Many wholesale shops carry larger sizes. Look for "빅사이즈" signs. Bargaining is possible.
  • Nike, Adidas, and Uniqlo stores: International brands carry larger sizes in their Korean stores
  • ABC Mart for shoes in larger sizes

For shoes

  • Korean shoe sizes typically max out at 270-280mm. If you need larger:
  • Nike and Adidas stores carry international sizes
  • Order from Coupang or overseas sites
  • ABC Mart has some extended sizes

Tips

  • Always check size charts before ordering online. Korean "free size" usually means one small size.
  • The term to search is "빅사이즈" (big size) on Korean shopping sites
  • Tailoring is very affordable in Korea. Buy something close to your size and get it altered for 5,000-15,000 won.
  • International brands (Zara, H&M, Uniqlo) in Korea carry the same sizing as their global stores