3 Best Places to Shop in Seoul, South Korea

One of the best-known brands in young women’s fashion and make-up is Stylenanda, and its five-story flagship store in Myeongdong makes shopping a photo-worthy experience. Clad in pink and gold, the hotel-themed interior is reminiscent of Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, a film that was incredibly popular in South Korea. Popular products for purchase include their signature 3CE makeup and clothing such as simple T-shirts, jeans, and brightly colored dresses. There is a cafe on the fifth floor that recreates the experience of being in a pool. The rooftop also has a lounge that's open during the summer.

While this lifestyle concept store has branches all over South Korea, the Hongdae location is by far the best known. The five-story building sells accessories as well as both menswear and womenswear. In addition to A-Land brand items, the store features brands from other local designers. The overall style is best described as trendy and edgy. The items are a step up from stores at the nearby Hongdae Shopping Street and as a bonus, the store allows you to try on the items in its many fitting rooms.

As beautiful as hanbok (traditional Korean dress) is, it can be difficult to wear on a daily basis. That's why modern designers have been reinterpreting these designs to make them more practical for day to day living. These outfits are called daily hanbok and can be found at a growing number of shops in the Jongno-gu area. One shop that's become known for their selection is this small boutique in Ikseon-dong, which has a range of outfits from the floral and fantastic to the muted and pared-back. The store is within a hanok (traditional Korean house) and jam-packed with clothes, so you may find moving around in the space a bit difficult, but the staff are friendly and willing to answer any questions you may have along the way.