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The fashion trend among young men appears to be regressing to a time before formal suits gave way to the casuals of the booming IT industry. According to Lotte Department Store, sales of formal suits for men in their 20s at its 22 branches increased 91.8 percent in 2006. Shinsegae Department Store also saw sales of formal suits designed for men in their 20s and 30s grow 34.5 percent last year, and they are showing a two-digit increase this year. In LG Fashion¡¯s case, sales of suits for men in the age bracket rose 88 percent last year, and those for 20-somethings jumped 103 percent again so far this year.
Changes in lifestyle
Industry insiders cite changes in lifestyle as a reason. With many small parties that require them to dress formally, young men need formal suits so that they can go to them right after work. In addition, as more and more young men work on their bodies, they prefer suits with a tight waistline to loose casual clothes so they can show off their trim silhouette. ¡°I used to look for blue jeans first when I went shopping, but these days I usually shop for nicely fitting suits,¡± says office worker Woo Dong-je. A staffer at Lotte Department Store said younger office workers, many of whom work for IT companies that emphasize a freer, more creative working environment, until a few years ago preferred to dress casually, but now they favor formal suits that are stylish and can make them look professional.
Store displays
But men¡¯s stores may also have had a part to play. Time was when looking around a men¡¯s clothes store was an off-putting experience due to the racks after racks of suits on display. But in recent years, men¡¯s outfitters have gone through a transformation, becoming sometimes more stylish than outlets for women. They have turned into ¡°total fashion¡± shops, with everything from shoes to belts, accessories and cosmetics sold together. The main branch of Shinsegae Department Store uses the entire first basement for men¡¯s fashion, from clothes to stationery. Hyundai Department Store in Samseong-dong, Seoul also has a section for men¡¯s total fashion where it provides expert advice.
Department stores in Japan and the U.S. spearheaded the trend. Japan¡¯s Isetan Department Store has not only expanded the men¡¯s fashion on offer but also devotes segments to different age groups. ¡°Japanese men tend to reduce spending on drinking and cigarettes and instead spend more on clothes,¡± a staffer with Lotte Department Store said. ¡°Korea will likely see a similar consumption pattern.¡±
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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