Photo: Getty
Liu Wen
There’s something so charming about how a model dresses on the reg and we love their effortless, off-duty looks. Whether you’re creating endless Pinterest boards to get some style inspo or constantly obsessing over a model’s new look on the ‘Gram – we’re here to help.
Ahead, we share some of our favourite outfits on your favourite Asian models accompanied with useful styling tips on how you can pull off the trends.
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It’s Cool To Wear A Cardigan As A Top
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A major trend in the Fall/Winter 2020 collections, cardigans no longer look stuffy and are officially back in rotation. Here, Liu Wen hops on the trend and takes it to the next level by wearing it as a cute top instead.
Miniature Micro Handbags Are Model-Approved
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We love an adorable mini handbag and it seems like the models do too – including Irene Kim.. All you have to do is pick one that fits your personal style and dress it up accordingly.
Don’t Be Afraid Of Prints And Colour
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A great way to up your style ante and get your endorphins on a high is by wearing vibrant colours and prints. Just like Pooja, style an outfit with a mix of both but if you’re feeling hesitant, slowly inject a pop of colour or a print you like into your ensemble.
Make Relaxing At Home Fashionable With A Graphic Loungewear Set
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If you’re working from home, why not treat yourself to a chic eye-catching loungewear set like Sui He’s. Not only will it get you feeling comfy but you’ll be looking like a ten too!
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A Dress Is Always A Good Idea
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No matter what, a dress is a must-have in every model’s closet. The one that Malaysian model Atika Karim is wearing is from Cult Gaia and makes for a great outfit either for a leisure afternoon outdoors or a just chilling with your girls.
Double Up On Your Denim
While some may have coined this look the Canadian Tuxedo, the models have shown us that it’s a timeless stook that’s staying. All you’ve got to do is to coordinate your fave denim top and bottoms together for an easy laidback look.
Layering Doesn’t Have To Look Boring
As we scrolled through Sora Choi’s Instagram, we noticed that she’s a master of layering. In this outfit, she adds flavour to a button-up and skirt combo with a layered puff-sleeved corset top and combat boots to add some edge. If you’re looking for more inspiration, click here to see how she makes the collared shirt less boring and over here to see how she spruces up a white tee look.
Swap Your Blue Denims To A Different Colour
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There’s nothing wrong with a good old pair of blue jeans but as Vietnamese-French model Jane Nguyen shows us, a different colour can add a fresh spin to your look. Just make sure you keep to a single neutral colour for your shoes and footwear to put the spotlight on your new pair of denims.
Headscarves Can Make For A Fun, Stylish Statement.
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A headscarf can be a great finishing touch to a look. Follow Kayako’s lead and match a colourful pattern with your favourite casual attire. Plus, if you’re having a bad hair day, it’s a great way to hide your unruly locks too!
It’s Fine To Mismatch Your Socks... And Shoes Too
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Dohyun Kim adds a playful mood to her athleisure look with mismatched socks and sneakers.
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Quirky Shades
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Whether you're sporting a neutral-coloured midi dress or an outfit with busy details—not unlike the one South Korean model Park Soo Joon has on pictured above—a pair of unique sunnies is essential to any model off-duty look. We say, go big or go home with exaggerated cat-eye styles or ones crafted from acetate resembling goggles. Finish the look off with a blasé attitude, and you're good to go.
Go Hands-Free
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For the ultimate contemporary cool aesthetic, leave your handbag at home. Instead, opt for either a crossbody, shoulder or bum bag à la Chinese supermodel Liu Wen. She teams her back slung Chanel Flap bag with a camel coat, denim jeans and chunky sneakers.
Go Monochrome
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When in doubt, go monochrome. And you can always up the ante by layering with lighter and darker hued separates. If you're looking to make a statement, take a style cue from Chinese model Ming Xi and opt for a refreshing forest green look rather than the usual all-black ensemble. She paired an emerald green striped collar shirt with a matching forest green blouse, pants and completed it with a tweed jacket. The Gucci bag ties it all together.
Go Casual-Chic With Wide-Legged Pants
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Wide-legged pants, especially those crafted from whisper-soft satin and other flowing fabrics, are the epitome of contemporary cool. Follow Japanese model Sayo Akasaka's footsteps and opt for a colourful patterned pant, a basic white tee and team it with mules. Tiny bag and red lips are optional, but we highly recommend it.
Throw On A Dressy Coat
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Sun Fei Fei might be dressed in a classic white top, jeans and sneakers combo, but the fresh-faced Chinese model looks undeniably chic with the addition of an oversized checked jacket. Outerwear is a great way to dress up a look; from layering a longline shearling coat over a feminine slip dress to a rugged leather jacket over a jaunty floral sundress, don’t be afraid to juxtapose different textures and patterns for a quirky yet ultra cool outfit.
Devil's In The Details
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Remember what we said about monochrome outfits being foolproof? Here's Chinese model He Sui sporting a monochrome outfit, but with a twist. She elevated her look by including unique details and playing with silhouettes. Her choice of an off-the-shoulder shirt coupled with a pair of bell-bottoms with front slits is a perfect example of how details can make a seemingly simple outfit more polished. Brownie points for completing the look with a '90s choker that matches the straps of her heels.
Go Big With Your Footwear, Literally
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We're all about that high-heels life, but admittedly, they're not the most comfortable. Especially when you've got to be on your feet for hours. Plus, if you really want to commit to the too-chic-to-care look that's often associated with the model off-duty look, try comfy sneakers. Bonus points for pairing them with a feminine lace dress, like Chinese model Ju Xiaowen here.