Hazzys’ “Zerogram Jumper” and KUHO Plus’ “Volume Silhouette Jumper” (Images courtesy of LF and Samsung C&T)
SEOUL, May 26 (Korea Bizwire) — As South Korea braces for another sweltering summer, fashion retailers are seeing a surge in demand for ultra-light outerwear and short-sleeved shirts, driven by rising temperatures, wide daily temperature swings, and evolving fashion preferences among younger consumers.
According to industry data released Sunday, brands across the Korean fashion sector have significantly increased their offerings of lightweight jackets and shirts this season, with some reporting triple-digit sales growth compared to the same period last year.
LF Corp.’s flagship brand Hazzys expanded its range of ultra-light outerwear to five styles this year. Sales of such items in May have soared by 150% compared to 2024. The brand’s best-selling Zerogram Jumper sold 2,600 units so far this year, prompting three rounds of restocking to meet continued demand.
Samsung C&T’s KUHO+ also increased production of lightweight jumpers by 15% year-over-year, citing their versatility for use in fluctuating temperatures, air-conditioned indoor spaces, and travel.
Hazzys’ “Flower Open-Collar Shirt” and Epigram’s “Short-Sleeved Denim Shirt” (Images courtesy of LF and Kolon FnC)
Kolon FnC has scaled up its popular Egglight jacket line by 1.5 times, targeting wear from early summer through Korea’s rainy monsoon season. Meanwhile, Hyungji’s The Cashmere brand has expanded its “seasonless” product lineup—such as cardigans and light outerwear—by over 30%.
In parallel, short-sleeved shirts—once viewed as outdated—are enjoying a style renaissance among consumers in their 20s and 30s. LF reported a 50% increase in denim short-sleeved shirt sales and a 12% rise in seersucker styles. Young buyers now account for 22% of short-sleeved shirt purchases, up from 15% in 2024.
Industry insiders credit the revival to improved designs and materials, with expanded options ranging from Oxford cloth and denim to lace and crochet, along with a broader palette of cuts—from classic Hawaiian prints to graphic open-collar styles.
Popular new releases, including LF’s Unisex Hand-Drawn Shirt and the floral-patterned Lace Organic Craft Shirt, have already sold out. Samsung C&T’s Beanpole has increased its short-sleeved shirt inventory by over 20%, while Kolon’s Epigram quadrupled its denim shirt selection, with sales jumping 150% compared to the previous year.
“Short-sleeved shirts were once seen as middle-aged attire,” said one fashion executive. “Now, with trendier cuts and materials, they’re making a strong comeback among younger consumers.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
