4 easy ways to dress like Kim Da-mi in popular K-drama Itaewon Class

Hot on the heels of Crash Landing On You that featured Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin came another Korean drama obsession: Itaewon Class. Starring Park Seo-joon, Kim Da-mi and Kwon Nara, among many others, the hit series quickly became a household name for its unique plot (no spoilers here).

Another thing that caught our eyes were the unique looks Kim Da-mi, who played social media influencer Jo Yi-seo, wore in the show. Ahead, we dissected four of her best looks and show you how you can cop her style.

Also, in light of Singapore's circuit breaker efforts, all the shopping picks we've chosen are available to shop online so please stay home and stay safe.

Unconventional colours

Seen here in episode 7, Kim Da-mi sported a Loewe Mini Lazo shoulder bag that she wore as a crossbody. But instead of the usual fan-favourites such as black or brown, Kim chose an unconventional colourway of khaki green and brown.

Detracting from formulaic colours not only shows off your unique take on fashion, but it also cements your confidence in pulling off styles that many people shy from.

Besides colour palettes, you can also consider picking up a bag with unusual details such as embellishments (e.g. studs) and silhouettes (like hobo bags).

Get: The Volon Po Trunk croc-effect leather shoulder bag, US$952.40 (S$1,400) from Net-a-Porter

Unique colour, check. Unconventional silhouette, check. This slate green leather shoulder bag from The Volon hits all the right style notes with its architectural design.

PS: The interior is fitted with a small mirror that could be useful in a pinch. This design is also available in tweed and leather construction.

Leather on leather

The thought of wearing leather in Singapore might conjure up an image of you boiling under the outfit and sweating profusely.

However, as Kim illustrates, layering leather on leather using a bag and jacket results in an outfit that's edgy and cool at the same time.

Besides our guide on pulling off leather in Singapore, another tip we suggest is to go monochrome, which like Kim's ensemble here is black on black.

This ensures that the outfit still remains cohesive without being distracting (especially if you pick designs with loud details).

Get: Zeynep Arcay cropped leather shirt, US$1,013.97 from Net-a-Porter

If you're just dipping your toes into the leather trend, start small with something lightweight and breathable.

This Zeynep Arcay leather cropped top is an easy addition to your wardrobe. Pair it simply with high-waisted denim jeans or wide-legged pants and click on a pair of sandals to complete.

Checks, mate

If you haven't noticed already, Kim wore a lot of checks and plaids in the show - like a lot, to the point that we reckon it is her favourite/signature print.

Fortunately, checks and plaids are pretty common patterns so it boils down to picking a design and colourway that suits your fancy.

One note though, the size of the print you pick should match your body type. For example, smaller, denser checks are more suited for those who are petite while larger prints are better (in terms of proportion) to those with a bigger build.

Get: Andersson Bell Rome checked twill blazer, US$432.51 from Net-a-Porter

While we, unfortunately, can't wear the lovely longline and trench coats that Kim wore owing to Singapore's weather conditions, we can be heartened with a sleek blazer from Andersson Bell.

The purple and yellow checks combination further add to the vintage feel of the boxy cut and padded shoulders. Pair it with a pencil skirt for work or black skinnies for off-days.

Sequins all day, everyday

For work and formal occasions, we tend to pick matte outfits because we don't want the shiny quality of sequins and other sparkly embellishments to be a distraction.

Kim is here to prove that you don't need to relegate these dresses for parties and weekends.

Instead, you could wear them for the office, such as this shimmering blouse from MSGM that Kim wore to give a presentation.

If the bedazzled outfit serves to bring attention to you on the dance floor, why not use it to get eyes on you at an important meeting?

Get: Norma Kamali sequinned crepe jumpsuit, US$487.03 from Net-a-Porter

If you're afraid to look too flashy for work in a sequinned number, opt for a design that's in a darker tone.

This intense black Norma Kamali jumpsuit still retains all the bling without looking too splashy. To bring it from the boardroom to the bar, just swap out the accessories such as a simple gold bracelet to a statement chunky one.

This article was first published in Her World Online.