Last year in 2023, the iconic 90s outfit trend called Y2K came back to the fashion world, covered all fronts from nail arts, fashion styles, to hairstyles, leaving a strong impression and becoming the most popular fashion trends till now. Let’s take a peek in your closet! Do you see any cropped button-up shirt, cargo pants, leg warmers or baby tees?
Now, the year 2024 has arrived, with thousands and thousands of new fashion trends such as girl core, athletic prep, even animal prints is coming back to the season. But did you all expect that the combination of a boring collared shirt, nerdy glasses could become a 2024 fashion trend?
In this post, Your Favorite K-Cult will introduce the latest 2024 fashion trend, Geek Chic. Let’s explore the Korean Geek Chic style, and 5 basic Geek Chic items that can turn your 90s outfit into a nerdy yet trendy look!
The iconic 90s outfit style – Geek Chic
Literally, Geek Chic is the collaboration between “geek” and “chic”. Originally, “geek” was used to refer to people who are passionate about computers and technology. However, as the use of this word became more wisely used, it began to describe individuals with deep passion for a certain field. Initially, “geek” had a somewhat negative negative connotation, often referring to people who had an eccentric and strange demeanor compared to the majority, frequently isolated themselves (or being isolated).
But these “geeks” brought a new wind to the fashion world, and became the 90s outfit trend, similar to y2k outfits. By adding a few tweaks to the traditional nerdy clothing or accessories, the 90s fashionistas had made the geeks’ outfits into a style that both fashionable yet nerdy. And that’s how Geek Chic was born!
Is Korean Geek Chic different from traditional Geek Chic?
While the Geek Chic 90s outfit trend in other countries is a bit more serious and emphasizes the “nerdy” look, Korean Geek Chic, or K-Geek Chic is an unique collaboration between Y2K outfits and simple yet stylish modern fashion items.
In more detail, the original Geek Chic style seen on recent major fashion week catwalks often includes items influenced by traditional styles. As Miranda said, this 90s outfit embodies an attitude of “taking yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back.” Geek Chic can include knee-length pleated skirt paired with basic shirt and nerdy glasses. Fashion houses such as Miu Miu and Brunello Cucinelli have incorporated these elements into their latest Spring Summer 2024 collections.
However, in Korea, famous K-POP idols such as Rosé (BLACKPINK), Karina (aespa) and Mingyu (SEVENTEEN) are all applying this style in a simpler and more “chic” way. This 90s outfit fashion trend in Korea is emphasizing trendy rather than highlight the seriousness, using newer versions of fashion items, combining Geek Chic and Y2K outfits to give a trendy and chic look.
So next, we will introduce 5 must-have-items to add to your 90s outfit for a trendy K-Geek Chic look!
You’re only 5 items away from Geek Chic
Nerdy glasses
IT girls in Hollywood like Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid often choose nerdy glasses, mostly full-rimmed frames to enhance the geek and eccentric feeling of the overall outfit. In Korea, however, famous fashionistas and K-POP idol prefer light-colored eyeglasses and rimless frames than nerdy glasses. Incorporating slim eyeglass or rimless frames into the 90s outfit bridges the past and the future fashion trends. It creates a stylish yet slightly eccentric look, resulting in an incredibly “chic” nerdy aesthetic.
Cropped button-up shirt
The special thing about Geek Chic is that we can use any type of shirt with a collar, like cropped button-up shirt or polo shirts. The cropped button-up shirt, once a trend a few years ago, is making a comeback on the fashion stage together with Geek Chic. Shirts are often seen as a symbol of seriousness and rigidity, expressing eccentricity and bookishness to the entire outfit. In Korea, nearly every girl has a cropped button-up shirt in their collection, and now is its time to shine!
Sweater
Contrary to oversized Y2K-style sweaters, slightly fitted sweaters are favored by Korean stars when styling a Geek Chic look. Additionally, a thin buttoned cardigan that shows the collar of the shirt underneath can also enhance the overall trendiness of the outfit.
Pleated skirt
Whether it’s an A line or H line, long or short, pleated skirt should be a staple in every girl’s clothing collection. In contrast to the traditional Geek Chic, which prefer long pleated skirt, in Korea, fashion enthusiasts often favor short plaid pleated skirt in neutral shades like gray, brown, and moss to achieve a trendy Geek Chic look.
Belt
Small belts are frequently used in the 2024 Geek Chic fashion trend. You can utilize any belt you own. If you don’t have one, consider getting one. Look for belts made from sturdy materials to give your outfit a trendy, bookish look.
In this article, we discussed the 2024 Geek Chic fashion trend and detailed five essential items needed to engage with this popular 90s outfit style. By keeping up with the latest trends, we hope that you’re able to express your individuality and creativity through fashion choices.
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