Traveling through the DPRK, or North Korea, you’ll immediately notice the multitudes of people wearing casual zip-up suits that may look like military uniforms from afar, but indeed they are for civilian wear. These solid-colored, multi-purpose breathable suits have a uniquely North Korean utilitarian character about them.
So, you want to know how to get your hands on a North Korean suit?
Here’s a step by step guide on how to get your very own North Korean suit tailor made at the Yanggakdo Hotel in Pyongyang:
STEP 1: GET TO NORTH KOREA
You first need to travel to North Korea. Lucky for you, it’s easy to travel to North Korea, despite contrary belief. Almost anyone can visit legally as a tourist, even Americans, so long as you book a North Korea tour through an authorized DPRK tour operator.
STEP 2: GO TO THE 3RD FLOOR TAILOR AT THE YANGGAKDO HOTEL
Once you’ve settled into the Yanggakdo Hotel, we recommend making your first visit to the tailor early on in your trip, because you will need to go back for a second or third fitting. The tailor at the Yanggakdo is on the 3rd floor. You can’t take the elevator from the lobby. So you’ll need to take the internal staircase that says “STAFF ONLY” right behind the counter for photo printing services.
STEP 3: PICK A STYLE
Try on a stock suit from the selection on the rack. Choose a color and style. Colors vary from a lighter green to a dark hunter green, to gray to navy. You can get it in short sleeve or long sleeve. You can get a pleated or straight pocket. Even the detail in the back varies from elastic closure to a more elegant button closure.
STEP 4: GET FITTED
Go behind the curtains and get fitted. The tailor will take all of your measurements, ask for a $50 deposit, and then get right to work. They are open 24 hours!
STEP 5: GO BACK FOR A SECOND FITTING
In a day or two, go back to the tailor for a second fitting. This time, the tailor will make sure the measurements are correct and that the suit will fit properly before making the final alterations. This is the last time to make any stylistic changes to your order – pleat or no pleat, elastic or no elastic, pocket or no pocket.
STEP 6: PUT IT ON AND WEAR IT HOME!
Go back to the tailor at the designated time to pick up your suit. Voila! You have your very own custom tailored North Korean suit. This is yours to keep, to wear during the rest of your trip, to bring home to show off, to wear on casual Fridays. Any way you sport it, you’ll be sure to turn heads!
Important details:
Price: approx $100 for both top and bottom (cash only; USD/EUROS/RMB all accepted)
Selection: coats, dresses and other cultural outfits available
Other shops: if you’re not staying at the Yanggakdo, most other hotels will have tailor shops. The steps are virtually the same, just ask the counter to point you in the direction of the tailor.
Women can get these suits tailored too, but it’s more common for women to have Choson-ot 조선옷 made. Watch for our next post on North Korean women’s wear and how you can get your own Korean dress!
Original text of this article can be found here: Uri Tours – How to get a North Korean Suit.
For more information on Uri Tours, please visit their website.