Jang Won-young's Style: How to Wear Coquette at Any Age

Last month, a 32-year-old client, a marketing director at an IT company, contacted me. Her request was, "Emily, I'm tired of tailored suits. I want to incorporate Jang Won-young's style into my wardrobe, but still be taken seriously at board meetings." Spoiler alert: we accomplished the feat in one shopping session.

It is generally accepted that aesthetics coquette And an abundance of ruffles are only suitable for Generation Z teenagers. In my 12 years as a stylist, I've heard this myth hundreds of times. In fact, integrating ballet-core elements into an adult basic wardrobe is a powerful stylistic move. It instantly refreshes a look and adds a trendy "complex texture" to even the most boring office pieces.

Jang Wonyoung's style (a member of the group IVE) is no longer just a collection of cute trends. It's a well-thought-out visual strategy that dictates the rules of global fashion magazines. We explored the origins of this global phenomenon in more detail in our comprehensive guide: K-pop Fashion: How Korean Clothing Conquered the World Today, I propose dissecting the wardrobe of Korea's leading "It-girl" and learning how to apply her tricks to real life without feeling like cosplay.

The Fourth-Generation "It-Girl" Phenomenon: How Jang Won-young's Style Changed the Game

If you think the influence of Korean idols is limited to album sales, take a look at the numbers. According to the 2023 Lyst Index report, Miu Miu was the overall brand of the year. And market analysts directly attribute this triumph to the fashion house's strategic alliance with Jang Wonyoung.

I love data, so here's another astounding fact. After Wonyoung showed up at Incheon Airport wearing pink satin ballet flats and a gray pleated skirt, searches for similar items on international platforms jumped 274% in just 24 hours. The items she posts in on social media are sold out faster than you can refresh the page.

Why does it work? Korean street style is no longer a niche phenomenon. It has adapted European luxury to the demands of a young audience, shifting the focus from heavy glamour to a light, almost naive hyper-femininity. Miu Miu chose Wonyoung not just for her beautiful face, but for her ability to wear complex styling (like double belts and layered knitwear) as if she threw it on casually five minutes before going out.

Wonyoung's Anatomy of Coquette and Balletcore Aesthetics

A study by the analytical agency WGSN (2024) confirms that the macro trend of hyper-femininity will remain with us for at least the next three seasons. But modern balletcore is radically different from the glamour of the 2000s. It's not about rhinestones and loud pink.

In 2024, the coquette aesthetic is all about clever use of contrasting textures. When I create capsule collections for clients, I always use the formula: "smooth + fluffy + rough." If you're using satin ribbon and fine lace (smooth), you should definitely add a thick-knit cardigan (fluffy) or distressed denim (rough). You can read about how these mixes work in the article How to Create an Expensive Look: Combining Textures in Clothing.

Bows, ruffles, and lace: how to avoid becoming childish

The biggest mistake beginners make is wearing all their best pieces at once. To avoid looking like you just ran away from a party, follow the "one-piece rule." If your top is adorned with intricate Chantilly lace or a massive bow, keep your bottoms as simple as possible.

Let's explore Wonyoung's favorite technique. She regularly pairs hyper-feminine, almost lingerie-like corset tops with straight, wide-leg jeans made of stiff cotton (100% cotton, no elastane). The rough texture of the workwear instantly grounds the excessive sweetness of the ruffles.

A play of proportions: micro-skirts and voluminous tops

Jang Won-young is known for her incredibly long legs, but her stylists enhance this effect even further. How? By carefully fitting micro skirts and shorts. Skirts always sit just below the natural waistline, yet still reveal as much leg as possible.

"Balance with exposed skin is the ironclad rule of any luxury look. If we're going for extreme leg exposure with a micro skirt, the top should be covered: a chunky knit sweater, a cardigan, or a men's blazer."

This rule has a fair limitation. A micro-length doesn't work in every situation or for every body type. If it's not your style, feel free to swap out your skirt for straight palazzo pants—the look will be preserved with the right top and accessories.

Jang Won Young's Essential Wardrobe: 5 Key Pieces

Jang Won-young's style is easy to break down into its basic components. You don't need to buy half the store; just add these five key elements to your capsule:

1. Mary Jane ballet flats. This is an absolute must-have. Choose smooth leather or satin models with one or two straps. This is a great and comfortable alternative for the office, as we wrote about in the article. Office Siren Shoes: Style and Comfort All Day Long.
2. A cropped tweed jacket or cardigan. A classic preppy element. Look for items made from merino wool blends or high-quality cotton. Avoid flimsy acrylics—they cheapen the look.
3. Pleated skirt. Tennis or classic school uniform, but always in elegant monochrome colors: graphite, dark blue, cool beige.
4. Corset tops and bralettes. We wear them not as a stand-alone item (unless we're talking about a party), but as a base layer under an unbuttoned oversized shirt.
5. High knee-highs and gaiters. Fine ribbed knit and knee-length. Perfect with loafers or ballet flats.

To quickly see how these trending items will fit into your existing wardrobe, I recommend using the Smart Wardrobe feature in MioLook You simply take a photo of your new skirt, and the app shows you dozens of combinations with your old shirts and sweaters.

From the stage to street style: how to adapt the trend to real life

Let's get back to my marketing client. We needed to maintain a strict dress code (smart casual), but incorporate Wonyoung's style DNA. We used a "micro-dosing of the trend" approach.

Instead of buying revealing corsets, we opted for a classic gray, loose-fitting pantsuit. But we swapped the pumps for patent leather black Mary Jane ballet flats, and layered the jacket with a silk blouse with a long, thin bow at the neck (a pussy-bow blouse). We pulled our hair back in a sleek ponytail. The result? The style instantly elevated, the look became sophisticated, yet remained 100% professional.

The second important secret of adaptation is the color palette. K-pop idols' stage looks often rely on bold, bright colors (fuchsia, azure). In real life, to look expensive, replace these with muted shades. Instead of bubblegum pink, choose dusty rose. Instead of crisp white, choose ecru or butter. These tones look elegant even on inexpensive fabrics.

Beauty code: makeup and hairstyles to complete the look

Clothes are only 70% of success. Jang Won-young's visual code would be incomplete without her signature beauty look. The main trend she popularized was the "Tanghulu" lip makeup (named after a Chinese dessert made of fruit in glass caramel). It's a maximum glossy shine and a dewy texture over a light tint.

The second rule is glass skin and a specific blush application. Wonyoung applies cool pink blush high on the apples of her cheeks, extending it almost under her eyes. This creates the effect of a fresh, slightly shy face.

Write down the ironclad rule of stylists: the more complex and textured your outfit (ruffles, layering, bows), the cleaner and more minimalist your makeup and hair should be. Wonyoung's hair is often perfectly straightened or styled in loose waves, accented with velvet or silk ribbons woven into braids or tied in a ponytail.

Stylist Checklist: How to Create a Jang Won Young Look Without Spending Extra Money

You can build a trendy wardrobe without the budgets of Korean superstars. Here's my practical action plan for smart shopping.

Step 1. Inspect the cabinet. Chances are, you already have half the things you need. Straight-leg blue jeans, a basic white T-shirt, and an oversized men's shirt—they're the perfect canvas. Don't throw them away.

Step 2. What is worth investing in.
Don't skimp on shoes and textures. High-quality leather ballet flats will cost between €80 and €150. A good cardigan made of a wool blend or thick cotton (not see-through and holding its shape well) will cost around €60–€100. These are the items that really reveal the cost of the entire outfit.

Step 3. How to save money.
Accessories, which make up 80% of the balletcore aesthetic, cost next to nothing. A skein of satin ribbon at a fabric store will set you back €2-5. Regular cotton leg warmers or ribbed knee-highs will set you back another €10-15. Spending hundreds of euros on designer hairpins is completely pointless.

Embracing a new style isn't about replacing your personality, but rather expanding your visual toolkit. Start small: add a black velvet ribbon to your usual jeans and jacket look. You'll be surprised how a single detail, costing just a few euros, can completely change the mood of your day and the way others see you.