Style Spotlight: City Boy Aesthetic in Korean Fashion

One of the hottest trends among fashion-forward guys in Korea (and across East Asia) is the City Boy aesthetic. Originally inspired by Japanese street style and ‘90s nostalgia, Korean fashion has put its own twist on City Boy style – creating looks that are relaxed, retro, and ridiculously cool. If you’ve ever seen photos of guys in Seoul rocking loose layers and vintage vibes, that’s City Boy in action. Let’s dive into what defines this style and how you can pull it off.

What is City Boy Style?
City Boy style is all about blending urban casual with a throwback twist. It often features oversized fits, ‘80s-’90s vintage pieces, and a mix of preppy meets workwear. Think baggy pleated trousers, tucked-in graphic tees or rugby shirts, baseball caps, and dad sneakers. There’s a carefree, youthful feel to it – like a college student from 1995 who raided his dad’s closet and made it fashion. Interestingly, the term “City Boy” was coined from Japanese magazines (like Popeye) and has become synonymous with this laid-back yet curated look. In Korea, it’s been embraced by style influencers who love combining old-school American casual with modern touches.

Key Elements of the Look
- Oversized, Layered Tops: City Boys love their layers. An outfit might start with an oversized hoodie or sweatshirt (often with collegiate prints or vintage logos), layered over a longer tee that peeks out at the hem. Oversized button-down shirts, especially flannels or Oxford cloth, are also staples – worn open over a tee or under a loose jacket. Don’t be shy about dropping a size or two up for that intentionally baggy effect. The goal is comfortable and cool, not slim and sharp.

• Relaxed Trousers or Jeans: On the bottom, it’s often loose straight-leg pants or wide-leg jeans. City Boy style is practically an anti-skinny-jean movement. You’ll see a lot of high-waisted, pleated trousers that drape (sometimes called slacks or “slack pants” in Korea). These pants create a casual drape and pair great with simple sneakers. For example, roomy khaki chinos or baggy light-wash jeans rolled at the cuff are common choices. One popular pick is a pair of Wide-Leg Loose Fit Casual Pants in black or olive, which give that baggy silhouette without looking sloppy.
• Vintage/Preppy Accents: There’s often a touch of preppy or retro Americana in City Boy outfits. This could be a vintage windbreaker, a letterman varsity jacket, or a knit sweater vest thrown over a shirt. (Yes, sweater vests – those grandpa-core pieces – are back in a big way through the City Boy lens!) For instance, a V-neck college-style knit vest layered on a striped shirt nails the academic vibe. Also common: tote bags or messenger bags for that studious feel, and baseball caps (often with old-school team logos or plain). The mix of these elements makes you look like you’re straight out of a retro yearbook – in the best way.
• Muted Tones with Pops of Color: The City Boy palette leans toward earthy and muted tones – think cream, navy, forest green, burgundy. These colors emphasize the vintage collegiate vibe. But don’t be afraid of a little color pop: a bright pink oversized vest or a cap in a bold hue can bring some fun. The key is it still looks slightly faded or retro versus neon-new. Many City Boy ensembles keep most pieces neutral and maybe one statement color for accent (like a mustard yellow beanie or a powder blue jacket among otherwise earthy tones).

The Silhouette & Attitude
One thing you’ll notice: City Boy style creates a comfortable, slightly boxy silhouette. Broader on top (baggy shirts, loose jackets) and straight through the legs. This silhouette not only looks effortlessly cool, but it’s also super comfy – you’re not squeezed into anything. There’s an element of “I threw this on and look good without trying” attitude. And that’s crucial: City Boy is part fashion, part lifestyle. It suggests you spend your weekends browsing vinyl records or grabbing coffee with friends in quaint backstreets – an urban, creative, chill persona.

Interestingly, it’s noted that City Boy style in Japan and Korea draws from American Ivy League and skate culture simultaneously. So it’s mixing those global influences into something uniquely local and hip. You might wear a big hoodie with Japanese lettering under a thrifted tweed blazer, for example – bridging street and classic.

How to Rock City Boy Style
To try this style yourself, start incorporating one or two City Boy pieces into your wardrobe. Maybe swap your skinny jeans for loose pleated pants and pair with a tucked-in tee and vintage overshirt. Or take that old varsity jacket from your high school days, throw it over an oversized sweatshirt and add cropped wide jeans and dad sneakers. Thrift stores and vintage shops are gold mines for City Boy staples (old Levi’s, retro logo sweatshirts, etc.). Most importantly, own the laid-back vibe. This style is as much about comfort and confidence as it is about clothes.

By blending nostalgia with modern streetwear, the City Boy aesthetic lets you showcase personality and a sense of fashion history. It’s stylish, it’s statement-making, but it never feels like it’s trying too hard. As the trend continues to evolve, one thing’s for sure: the City Boy isn’t leaving the city (or the style scene) anytime soon.

Ready to channel your inner City Boy? The Korean Fashion has the essentials to get you started. Go for our Wide-Leg Loose Fit Casual Pants to nail that baggy bottom silhouette, and top it with a retro vibe layer like our V-Neck College Style Knit Sweater Vest for that preppy touch. Complete the look with a cap or tote from our accessories line. Mix, match, and make it yours – we’ll help you capture that city-bred, nostalgic cool without breaking a sweat.