Much to the embarrassment of my Australian Korean speaking friend (although given how pumped she was afterwards I think that she was secretly quite into being my accomplice), I snapped this photo yesterday in Myeongdong and then managed to gently twist her arm so as to persuade her to utilise her interpreting skills for a mini-interview. I could only manage one question in the hustle and bustle of downtown Seoul on a sunny Sunday afternoon and that was: who in the couple was responsible for the outfit choice (dark chambray shirt, black jeans and beige TOMS shoes)?
Answer: apparently they went shopping together with the express purpose of choosing a suitable love match outfit. How wonderfully, beautifully romantic is that? Not only do young, loved up Koreans happily (I assume) shop together but they also manage to jointly decide on an outfit together (in this case a shirt, jeans and shoes even not just a simple, plain white t-shirt) and purchase together? Again, I assume, with no arguments. This does not accord with my memory of the one and only joint shopping trip I have been on with husband which took place in the Sydney Ikea (on a rainy Sunday and before there were two Sydney Ikeas to share the load of slightly crazed newly-weds and/or expectant couples) and, despite the chocolate covered coffee beans I had cleverly stashed in my bag to cope with the occasion, within five minutes of stepping into the store it was on and we both were in a world of pain, pitted against each other over the appropriate choice of chair colour.
So, I therefore now have an answer to my relationship dilemma no. 2, posed back in Part 1 of this obsession - the responsibility for outfit choice (Part 1). However, far from easing my interest (anxiety) over love match, the express action of shopping, selecting and purchasing together has raised additional questions.
Firstly, ownership over outfit. Is the outfit reserved for only those days when you are to be out together (presumably you don't need to wear same same when lounging about at home however I have no proof for this) or could you wear it when alone, ie, on the days where you are not intending to see your partner? Secondly, is it acceptable to break up the outfit: could you chose to just wear the shoes and not the shirt, jeans, shoes combination or must the outfit be preserved to be worn in its entirety only when the other partner is around and clothed the same way?
Part 1's relationship dilemma no. 1 - the timing of the selection - remains unanswered also. My current hypothesis as to how Koreans make this at all possible is that the "choice" must be made early on in the relationship - in the rose-coloured days of young love where your partner's quirks are still quite cute. Miss that window and your ability to jointly choose an outfit might not be so easy (refer to Ikea experience above). But, again, I could have the entire relationship trajectory around the wrong way. Maybe, the longer you are together here in Korea the deeper your need becomes to dress the same?
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