Wondering what to pack for Korea in summer? In this guide, you’ll have the best tips on what to bring to Korea, how to dress in Korea, and what not to wear in South Korea during the summer season.
After living in The Land of the Morning Calm for six years, I have a complete guide for your summer Korea packing list. My summer fashion in Korea is pretty simple since summer in Seoul is very humid.
Many of you have asked me where I go shopping and how I look so good in my clothes every season, even though I’m curvy. Well, this is me giving away all my tips and tricks so you can have your summer outfit Korean style.
Why should you listen to me instead of all the other bloggers? Simple. I lived in Korea for five and a half years, so I’m an expert on what to pack for summer in Korea.
What To Pack For Summer in Korea
My favorite travel suitcase brand is Béis. I’m obsessed with their weekender bag, carryon, and checked luggage.
These are my travel essentials for Korea. Your complete Korea packing list absolutely needs to include these items.
Travel essentials for what to pack for Korea in summer:
- Korea travel adapter—Unlocked phone—Before landing, I recommend booking an e-SIM card or picking up a physical SIM card at Incheon Airport. (Nowadays, most mobile phones have e-SIM capability as long as the phone is unlocked.)
- USB power strip—This is great for charging multiple electronics at once.
- Air Filter Mask—I recommend you bring masks to filter out air impurities such as yellow dust.
- Toothpaste – Korean toothpaste sucks PERIODT. Bring your own from home.
- Important travel documents – Bring copies of important paperwork, including medical and visas.
- International Driver’s License (IDP)—If you rent a car in Korea, you will need an IDP. You should get yours from AAA.
- Passport—Make a copy of your passport and hide it in your suitcase. Leave one on your fridge at home.
- Credit/Debit Card—ATMs are available all over Korea, and most places accept credit cards.
- Prescription Medication—Bring your important medicine. You don’t want to waste your vacation time in the hospital.
- First Aid Kit—While pharmacies are available anywhere in Korea, it’s good to have a mini first aid kit on you just in case.
- Reusable Water Bottle—Korea has free water almost everywhere, which will help reduce waste.
How To Dress For Summer in Korea
There are some vast cultural differences between South Korea and your home country. I hate I even have to give this warning, but as your internet big sister, I need to address some important facts based on my experience. In Korea, the sense of modesty is different.
This means you can wear your shorts, skirts, and dresses as short as you want. Since shoulders and cleavage are sexualized, make sure you wear blouses and T-shirts up to your neck. As foreigners, we are considered “curvier,” and our clothes make us appear “too sexy.”
The biggest mistake you can make is not packing the right clothing, so be sure to bring plenty of breathable fabrics like cotton or linen.
Summer in Korea Essentials
- denim shorts
- skirts
- dresses
- tank tops (to soak up sweat)
- short sleeves
- oversized shirts
- light jackets
- blouses
- light jackets (it gets cold indoors)
- sneakers
- sandals
- swimsuits
- Reusable water bottle
Personal Items To Bring on Your Trip
Some products not easily available in Korea are good deodorants (Asians generally don’t have the gene that makes them stink when they sweat, so they don’t need it), curly hair products, and super light or dark foundation shades.
Luckily, Seoul is the beauty capital of the world. There are a lot of fun, inexpensive beauty brands, and beauty products. If you forget anything, Olive Young is your best friend, and you can sometimes find deodorant there.
What To Wear In Summer In Korea
Below are some of my favorite staple pieces I wore during summer in South Korea. Sneakers should always be your go to because you’ll be doing a lot of walking and the sidewalks can be uneven. These are essential things to bring to Korea.
- Biker Shorts – I am always wearing my favorite butterluxe biker shorts under my dresses and skirts. This is sweat wicking and helps avoid chub rub.
- Megababe Thigh Rescue – If you don’t feel like wearing shorts under (I get it can be too hot and uncomfortable) use this stick so your thighs glide instead of chafe.
- Reebok Sneakers – I’ve tested out many sneakers throughout the years and nothing is as comfortable as these memory foam ones. 10/10 recommend.
Typhoons in Korea
If you live in Seoul, you’ll be fine. I’ve experienced “typhoons” in the big city and they’re honestly nothing but a bunch of hot air being blown around.
However, if you live in a coastal town like Busan or island like Jeju, they are no joke. Make sure you stock up on appropriate items and watch the news religiously for updates.
Summer Weather in Korea
What is the weather like during the summer months in Korea? South Korea has four distinct seasons, and the weather is similar to my hometown, Chicago. Every month is slightly different, so here is a breakdown of the average temperature and my own experiences.
South Korea has very humid summers, and the temperature is pretty warm until mid-September.
Although it is hot, many restaurants, cafes, and public transport will blast the air conditioning. I usually bring a jean jacket. You’ll have a great time if you’re a fan of warm weather.
June Weather in Korea
June is the best month to visit South Korea because of the good weather. In early June, the weather transitions out of spring with higher temperatures.
The average daily temperature will range from 21°C to 27°C (70°F to 80°F) during the day. The temperatures at night cool down, so be sure to wear a light jacket. The average low is about 16°C (61°F).
The end of June will usually have pretty hot weather, so make sure you pack the appropriate clothing.
June is also the best time to visit Jeju Island in South Korea. Another one of Korea’s most popular destinations is Busan, which is amazing for a beach holiday and outdoor activities!
P.S. Busan is one of my favorite southern cities in the country!
What To Wear in June in Korea ?
This post will include various outfit inspirations for summer in Korea. These are outfits I have actually worn and loved.
I abide by the rule of dressing for my body type and not for a Korean woman’s body type. My weight has fluctuated a lot over the years, and I have worn everything from a US size 12 to a US size 16.
June Summer Fashion in Korea Outfit 1
Are you wondering what to wear in South Korea? Summer weather in Korea honestly varies month by month. I prefer to wear high-waisted pants because I suffer from the fiery inferno of chub rub if I don’t. I’m also really into crop tops.
For Korea in June, I like to wear ponytail hair extensions for easy and quick hairstyling. In this photo, I’m rocking the Ariana Grande-inspired Miya Pony in black and brown by Insert Name Here. Use my code GINABEAR10 to get 10% off your order!
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June Summer Fashion in Korea Outfit 2
Summer in Seoul hits right in June. Wear a tight-fitting t-shirt or oversized jean jacket over your dress if you’re looking for summer Korean outfits. Clothing in Korea is modest on top.
I bought this dress at H&M Korea because I prefer longer dresses. When I wear my Butterluxe biker shorts underneath, you can’t really see them. I also love dresses with pockets to put my phone inside or store my T-money card.
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June Summer Fashion in Korea Outfit 3
Your South Korea packing list should include Korean summer outfits that feature a baggy T-shirt over a tight skirt. However, my outfit is the opposite. I have on a knotted shirt with a flowy floral skirt.
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June Summer Fashion in Korea Outfit 4
If you are inspired by Korean fashion, a great summer outfit to wear is an oversized T-shirt and comfortable shorts. You’ll be doing a lot of walking in Seoul, so you want to have comfortable shoes.
Korea in summer can feel hotter because it’s humid. This photo was taken on Deokjeokdo off Incheon.
It’s hard to find clothes in Korea (especially bottoms) if you have a bum. However, you can find skirts and dresses at H&M if you want to change your style.
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June Summer Fashion in Korea Outfit 5
Seoul’s summer weather usually inspires me to find a cool cafe and not emerge until the sun has set. If I am outside taking photos, I really love wrap skirts.
They effortlessly pull together a summer Korean outfit. As you can see, I’m a huge fan of wearing pearls in the summer. They’re my birthstone and always look so classic.
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July Weather in Korea
July is my least favorite month to travel to Korea because this is when the majority of the country’s annual rainfall occurs. Humid Korean summers usually start in July with the wet season.
This is when monsoon rains make humidity go from zero to I’m now swimming in the air. The high humidity is why I NEVER recommend anyone to visit during this month because it is so miserable.
The average daytime temperature rises to a sweltering 29°C to 30°C (84°F to 86°F). The Han River has experienced extensive flooding in recent years. If you find yourself visiting during this time, this is my list of the best things to do during the rainy season in Korea.
July Summer Fashion in Korea Outfit 1
Clothing in South Korea usually consists of skirts and cute cotton blouses or T-shirts. In this photo at Olympic Park, I’m wearing my favorite pink patterned skirt, black tank, and oversized jean jacket. I paired it with my favorite Italian horn necklace, pearl earrings, and heart-shaped sunglasses.
The temperature difference because of the humidity will cause you to sweat a lot more. I don’t want my clothing to get wet, and if water splashes on my sandals or legs, I know it will dry quickly.
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July Summer Fashion in Korea Outfit 2
What to pack for Korea? The easy answer is Korean summer dresses. Again, I love fit and flare dresses with pockets.
If you wanted to wear this particular outfit Korean-style, all you would have to do is wear a fitted T-shirt under it. I got this dress from Lauren Conrad’s summer line forever ago, but I have similar ones in the carousel below.
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July Summer Fashion in Korea Outfit 3
Korean fashion’s summer edition usually consists of tight bottoms and loose tops. I like the bodycon look of this two-piece crop tank and skirt set.
You could pair my outfit with a crop t-shirt top if you wanted to make it more Korean. I just paired mine with an oversized jean jacket.
I usually wear my Reebok sneakers to give off that Seoul city vibe (and so I can walk without tripping over the pavement). If you have large feet for South Korea, you can usually find large-sized female shoes at ABC Mart.
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July Summer Fashion in Korea Outfit 4
I’m all about Barbiecore summer, and I’ve gotten a lot of questions about my bag. I got this in 2020 from a UK Brand called Truffle Shuffle. Sadly, the bag is no longer available, but I’m obsessed with this adorable Barbie purse.
Korean summer dress will always consist of lighter and pastel colors. It’s very rare I see someone wear a dress as dark pink as mine. If you wear something like this, you’ll stand out in the best way possible.
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August in Korea
The summer heat in August is usually the worst. The maximum temperatures in August are usually 28°C to 31°C (82°F to 88°F). It feels like more because of the intense humidity that is brought on from July. Even in early August, it still rains a lot.
August Summer Fashion Korea Outfit 1
Dress in Korea as you would at home, but with some modifications. What to wear in Seoul towards the end of August gets a lot simpler. Korea gets a bit cooler in August, but the humidity makes it feel hotter due to the heavy rainy season.
Korean dresses aren’t usually as bright as mine. However, after the monsoon season in Korea comes the rainbow.
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August Summer Fashion Korea Outfit 2
I truly love this pink tulle tutu look. This outfit made me feel so feminine and pretty when I wore it. I paired it with a crop tank top and an oversized jean jacket.
P.S. Honey, I’m sorry for cheating on you.
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August Summer Fashion Korea Outfit 3
I think this was the most Korean outfit I’ve ever put together. I’m pictured at Seoulism Cafe wearing a floral high-slit skirt and matched t-shirt. I would also probably wear this outfit with a bodysuit because I don’t have to worry about all the tucking.
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Get Travel Insurance
A common question I get is what do I need to travel to South Korea? One thing I always recommend is travel insurance. Life throws curveballs. Flights get canceled. You get sick.
There’s a family emergency. I highly recommend using World Nomads Travel Insurance.
How To Get Around
The best way to get around Korea is by purchasing a T-Money card at any convenience store and loading it with money. You can also purchase the mobile version via Klook and get a 5,000 won top off coupon to use with your purchase.
Book The Discover Seoul Pass
If you’re wondering what to see in Korea, the best way to get the most bang for your buck is to book the Discover Seoul Pass. It doubles as a TMoney card to use on public transport like subways, buses and taxis.
How To Stay Connected
Luckily in Korea, there is wifi everywhere. Most cafes offer wifi for free and you can connect to various free spots around the city.
However, if you don’t want to be reliant on that, you book an e-sim card and download it directly to your phone.
Worried About The Korean Language Barrier?
- Google Translate—This is a free translation app for text and photos.
Google Translate for iPhone | Google Translate for Android - Naver Dictionary—Naver Dictionary is more precise than Google Translate because it was created as a language-learning tool for English.
Naver Dictionary for iPhone | Naver Dictionary for Android - Papago – A free app developed for Koreans. I often used it to help translate difficult sentences and phrases.
Papago for iPhone | Papago for Android - 90-Day Korean – Their course is set up for you to have a 3-minute conversation with a native speaker of Korean after 90 days of studying with them.
Essential Korean Phone Apps
- Subway Korea – This app will give you when the train will arrive, when you’ll arrive at your destination, and which car to sit in for easy transfers.
Subway Korea for iPhone | Subway Korea for Android - Naver Maps – This is your one and only warning. GOOGLE MAPS DOESN’T WORK IN SOUTH KOREA. You need to use Naver Maps, which is available in English.
Naver Maps for iPhone | Naver Maps for Android - Kakaotalk—If you want to connect with cool people you’ve met in your travels, Kakaotalk is the best.
Kakaotalk for iPhone | Kakaotalk for Android - Kakaotaxi—This app makes it easy to call taxi drivers. The starting fee for a taxi is about 3,500 won.
Kakaotaxi for iPhone | Kakaotaxi for Android - KakaoMaps – This is very similar to Naver Maps. I recommend downloading both because sometimes you’ll get address links for this app.
KakaoMaps for iPhone | Kakaomaps for Android - Kakaometro – Similar to Subway Korea, you’ll get train times, arrival information, and train transfer data.
Kakaometro for iPhone | Kakaometro for Android
In Conclusion (What To Wear for Korea in Summer)
Now you know what to pack to Korea in summer. I hope this post gave you a lot of summer fashion in Korea inspo. Also, don’t forget the dress code in South Korea so you can have an enjoyable trip.
Korean clothes styles can be fun and inspirational. I took a lot of my inspo from Korea and made it my own while I was living there.
South Korea is one of the best places to spend your summer vacation! Can’t wait to see you there!
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