Korean youth are turning innerwear into everyday fashion

Time of India

12 hours ago

Blackpink's Rosé and Ive's Jang Won-young are recently attracting attention with their 'underwearing fashion.'
Hey, fellow trend-chasers! Imagine scrolling through your feed and spotting your fave K-pop idols casually strutting in lace tops that look like they belong in a drawer, not on the streets.
That's the wild world of 'innerwearing' - where innerwear ditch the hidden life and become star players in outfits. Blackpink's Rose and IVE's Jang Wonyoung are total game-changers here, posting Insta pics in frilly camisoles and baby tees that scream "comfy yet cool." It's not just about shock value; it's a nod to that high-teen vibe where comfort meets quirky style. Think of it like how Bollywood divas sometimes rock bold crop tops - but with a Korean twist of effortless charm. And get this: this trend isn't new, but it's exploding now among the MZ crew (that's millennials and Gen Z, for the uninitiated), who are all about blurring lines between inner and outer wear. According to fashion historians, this lingerie-as-outerwear gig has roots going back centuries, evolving from rebellious t-shirts in the 1950s to today's body-positive statements. Witty, right? It's like your undies are saying, "Why hide when I can shine?"
Sales Skyrocket: Comfort Wins Over Tradition
Now, let's talk numbers - because who doesn't love some solid stats to back up the hype? E-Land World's women's innerwear brand has seen its homewear category sales explode by nearly 10 times from January to July 2025 compared to the same period last year.
That's a massive jump, folks! As per industry reports, this surge is thanks to collections that mix lace, frills, and floral vibes into everyday pieces like cardigans and shorts.
In Indian rupees, if we crunch it (assuming average category sales figures from similar brands), that's like going from around 50 lakh INR to a whopping 5 crore INR. Sacnilk reports similar booms in fashion retail, attributing it to youth-driven demands for practical yet playful attire.
Industry experts note this isn't your old lingerie; it's all about real-deal comfort and utility, perfect for our fast-paced lives where you might go from brunch to binge-watching without a wardrobe change. Picture this: in India, where summers hit 40°C, wouldn't you want breathable layers that feel like a hug? It's humorous how something so private is now publicly owning the spotlight, proving that fashion rebellions can be both fun and functional.
Sagging's Sneaky Comeback: From Streets to Screens
Hold onto your belts - or don't, because sagging is creeping back into the scene! This trend, where pants hang low to flash a bit of innerwear, started in American hip-hop circles back in the 1990s and even got banned in some spots for being "too cheeky." Fast-forward to 2025, and it's getting a fresh spin in Korea. Remember that MBC show episode where group All Day Project's Tarzan layered up four pairs of pants and undies? Total mic-drop moment.
While global data from Google Trends shows sagging interest peaking briefly in May 2025 before dipping, it's still bubbling up among creative youth as a playful nod to retro vibes. Think of it as the fashion equivalent of that one friend who always adds extra masala to everything - unexpected but oddly addictive. In Korean pop culture, it's tying into the broader innerwear-outerwear wave, with luxury brands borrowing boxer-short styles for women. But here's the wit: what was once seen as rebellious is now just another way to say "I'm comfy in my skin." According to fashion analysts, this resurgence aligns with a shift towards looser, more expressive fits, though it's not dominating like skinny jeans' comeback. For Indian youth, it's like remixing a salwar with low-waist jeans - cultural fusion at its funniest!
Why This Trend Feels Like a Hug for the Soul
Wrapping it up, this innerrwear-as-outerwear craze is more than a fad; it's a statement on freedom and fun in fashion. With celebs leading the charge and sales proving the point, MZ generations are rewriting the rules - one lace trim at a time. It's empowering, isn't it? Embracing what feels good over what's "proper." As we head into the rest of 2025, expect more twists, like micro-bottoms or baggy comebacks, keeping things fresh and relatable.
So, next time you're outfit-planning, maybe let your undies peek out - who knows, it could be your next viral look!