Fashion Police: North Korea Doesn't Allow You To Wear These Items

North Korea’s fashion regulations are more than just about clothing; they reflect the regime’s broader efforts to control societal values and maintain ideological purity. In this tightly controlled society, fashion choices are restricted to ensure conformity with state ideals. Here are five fashion items banned in North Korea and the reasons behind these prohibitions.

Clothes with logos

Clothing featuring prominent logos or brand names is also prohibited. The regime views branded apparel as a symbol of capitalist propaganda that could undermine state ideology and promote materialism. This ban is designed to prevent the influence of Western consumer culture and ensure that fashion remains in line with state-approved norms. By restricting logo clothing, North Korea aims to suppress external commercial influences and maintain ideological purity.

Short skirts

Short skirts are banned in North Korea as part of a broader campaign to enforce modesty and traditional values. The government mandates long skirts that fall below the knee to maintain a conservative dress code. This regulation is intended to curb the influence of Western fashion trends that might promote liberal attitudes toward gender and sexuality. By enforcing this dress code, North Korea seeks to control cultural norms and preserve traditional values, aligning clothing practices with state ideologies.

High heels

High heels are restricted due to the government’s focus on practicality and uniformity in dress. Associated with Western fashion and femininity, high heels are seen as impractical and potentially disruptive to the state’s emphasis on functional, modest attire. The prohibition also serves to minimize social distinctions based on appearance. In a society where social and economic inequalities are tightly controlled, high heels could signify luxury and status, which the regime seeks to downplay.

Flashy clothing

Brightly coloured or flashy clothing is heavily regulated. The regime prefers muted tones like dark blue, grey, and brown to ensure a sense of uniformity and discipline among the population. The restriction on bright and flashy attire prevents individual expression that could challenge state norms and authority. By controlling clothing colours and designs, the government aims to discourage the rise of subcultures and maintain a consistent state-approved aesthetic.

Denim jeans

Denim jeans are banned as symbols of Western influence and capitalist culture. The regime perceives jeans as a threat to its socialist ideology and seeks to curb Western cultural influences by prohibiting this global fashion staple. The ban reinforces the regime’s political and cultural identity, distancing North Korean fashion from Western consumerism.