Fall is undoubtedly the season of the crewneck sweater, or as most Koreans like to call it, the ‘Man-to-Man’. It’s one of those names no one really understands when they first hear of it. But I have to say, I’ve come to love this icon of Korean fall fits.
The Fall Fit
I’ve never liked wearing ‘comfy’ clothes, choosing instead to dress up and look my best at all times. However, the more time I spend at home and the more I see sweat sets and comfy clothes on the runway, I find myself warming up to the idea. Now, finally, I am prepared to invest in crewneck sweaters and hoodies for the first time.
I am ready to embrace the fashionable-but-still-comfortable style. It really helps that ‘loungewear’ in general is a trend by itself, causing plenty of brands to release pretty yet functional clothing items. Everyone will surely love to cozy -ing up in during the colder months.
Here are my picks of local Korean brands to look out for while doing your fall/winter shopping this year. They have truly elevated the standard ‘man-to-man’ into a durable, versatile piece that is bound to keep you company for years and years to come.
Lores: Thick and Cozy Man-to-Man
A local designer brand with roots in street style, Lores is fairly well known for its graphic tees that they release every summer. They boast quirky, colorful patterns that can brighten up any wardrobe in the blink of an eye.
For certain, they’ve been snapped up by many a visitor of Heights, the esteemed Korean streetwear shop that they are stocked in. However, it is their men-to-men and hoodies that are a hidden gem.
Many may pass over Lores’ winter collections. After all, they do look a little plain and boring at first glance – their signature Garment Dyed Pullover Hoodies have no graphics on them at all. They offer little in the way of obvious details save the size tag sewn onto the corner of the pocket.
The real value of their men-to-men lies in the quality. Sweaters are thick but not excessively heavy. They sit nicely on the shoulders and maintain a perfect fit throughout, giving you a subtle edge to your look without the unnecessary extra details and prints. A particular favorite of those who work in the Korean fashion industry, Lores makes a standard, classic men-to-men that you’ll be able to wear for years on end.
In keeping in trend, Lores also offers matching bottoms that come in the same material as all their men-to-men and hoodie tops, allowing their customers to get the laidback-yet-put-together look that only matching sweatsuits can offer.
Royal City Park: Country Club Classic Man-to-Man
A stranger to Royal City Park could very well mistake them for being merchandise for a country club. This brand has the same kind of vibe and simplicity, with most of their designs coming in standard, easy-to-match colors with only a tiny logo or graphic print on the front.
Even given this, Royal City Park has recently been enjoying a surge of popularity that can only be explained by the perfect fit the sweatshirts have. The amazing quality of the products makes people trust the brand and come back for more every season. Their sweatshirts are very soft and thick, and are the most comfortable thing to reach for both staying at home, or going out.
Royal City Park also manages to cater perfectly to those who prefer simplistic clothes over loud ones, but still, have a bit of a point by way of the delicately embroidered logo on the left chest.
Although Royal City Park still doesn’t have many products available, the promise it has shown thus far has plenty of people waiting to see what the brand will continue to come out with over the next few seasons.
