Yoona first caught our attention with her big doe-eyes and fresh face when she made her debut as a member of South Korean girl group Girls’ Generation and appeared in the music video of their first single, Into The New World (2007). SNSD, as the band is also known as, later exploded in popularity with catchy hits such as Gee (2009), The Boys (2011) and I Got A Boy (2013) and is now ranked among the most popular group acts in South Korea.
Yoona has since showed us that she’s more than just her looks and her ability to sing and dance. She has branched out into acting too, and has notable roles in dramas including Love Rain (2012) and God of War, Zhao Yun (2016). Besides that, she has her own solo album, proving that she has become a versatile and commercially successful artiste.
In celebration of Yoona’s upcoming 29th birthday on May 30, let’s take a look at another part of her that we love — her knack for impeccable style. Below, we break down her effortless feminine style and teach you how to emulate her looks for work and the weekends.
Happy birthday Yoona!
Photo: Instagram / @yoona__lim
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Scroll through her Instagram and you’ll find many photos of Yoona with a hat on her head. From berets to baker boy hats to snapbacks, it’s obvious she’s a fan of headgear. Not only do they help the popular singer-actress conceal herself in public as well as shade her from the sun, hats are also a quick and stylish way to elevate an ensemble (and here’s our ultimate guide to hats). If you’re unsure of how to start, we suggest going with muted but preppy silhouettes such as berets and baker boy hats for work, while reserving bigger shapes such as wide-brim hats for the weekends; unless you want to make a statement at the office, of course.
Photo: Instagram / @yooona__lim
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Created by the Philip Treacy — the person who has made wondrous hats and fascinators for famous people including the British royalty figures, Lady Gaga and Sarah Jessica Parker — this beret was designed to flatter the wearer’s face shape. You don’t have to worry about the hat making your hair frizzy too as this piece comes with a satin lining. Pair this with an LBD and channel French girl aesthetics to the office.
Photo: Net-a-Porter
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Heading to a picnic or a yacht or beach party? Throw on a bright floral sundress and finish with this straw hat from Mango. We love that the black ribbon adds a nice contrast against the wicker material. Plus, it delivers a floaty, breezy effect that is perfect for the weekend.
Photo: Mango
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We told you Yoona loves her headwear didn’t we? But besides that point, Yoona also loves cozying up in oversized jumpers and coats, such as the red shearling coat she’s wearing here. No doubt it is because coats are comfortable, shield her from the elements and add a touch of elegance to the simplest of outfits. Just look at what Yoona is wearing underneath — it’s a basic black turtleneck and skinny jeans combo that would have been nothing spectacular, if it weren’t for the vibrant outerwear. If coats and sweaters are too warm for the local weather (sad but true), you can try going for oversized shirts or tops with blouson sleeves as an alternative.
Photo: Instagram / @yooona__lim
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This versatile lilac cardigan from Matthew Adams Dolan features a relaxed fit and extra long sleeves to give you that casual elegance that Yoona is known for. It would also come in handy for the wintry office conditions. Wear it with a slip dress underneath.
Photo: Net-a-Porter
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If layering is not an option for you in Singapore’s heat, then this oversized coral shirt from Zara is a good alternative to rock the oversized clothing vibe of Yoona. You can also do a front knot with it to rein in the A-line shape and create an hourglass illusion instead. Wear this with a camisole top and denim jeans — weekend outfit sorted.
Photo: Zara
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Even for a mega K-pop star like Yoona, a t-shirt and denim shorts combination is a failsafe option she falls back on for a casual, laid-back look on lazy days. But here, Yoona jazzes up her look with a pair of colourful chunky sneakers that add an extra visual interest to her look while ensuring that she can walk long distances without the achey consequence of high heels.
Photo: Instagram / @yooona__lim
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Hop on the ugly dad sneaker trend and look suave with these Gucci sneakers on your feet. We especially love the vintage logo inspired by the prints of the ’80s as it fulfils our love for logomania while looking fly AF. Finish with a band t-shirt and bell-bottom jeans to complete the retro look.
Photo: Gucci
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Channel sci-fi futuristic vibes with these white and silver mesh sneakers from local label Charles & Keith. We reckon that these will look stunning when worn with a silvery sequin slip dress — not only are they super fashionable, they add a sporty edge to the sexy outfit.
Photo: Charles & Keith
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Pantsuits are the perfect ensemble to instantly make you look like the boss of the boardroom. But if an all-black or striking red number is too harsh and outlandish for you, go for softer colours such as this blush pink one Yoona sports. The colour lends an air of femininity while the silhouette ensures that you still look polished and sharp, ready to conquer the corporate world.
Photo: Instagram / @yooona__lim
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This dusty muted orange jacket from Stella McCartney is not only a versatile yet feminine alternative to the LBB — little black blazer — it is also made with sustainable viscose, organic cotton and linen so that you can reduce your carbon footprint while conquering the corporate world. Finish with the matching trousers or a wheat coloured pair of pants to play up the earthy tones.
Photo: Stella McCartney
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Blazers (here’s our guide to the best blazer for your body type) are boxy and can distract from the feminine curves, but not this cool mint iteration from Topshop. The chunky buckle further cinches the waist to present an hourglass shape while also being a fun statement accessory. Wear this with the matching trousers or opt for a khaki-hued pair for the office.
Photo: Topshop
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Yoona is known to be the face of Girls’ Generation and comes in as one of the tallest members of the girl group (alongside Sooyoung) at 1.68m. But besides slipping into a pair of towering heels, the songstress also uses midi-length dresses to further elongate her stature. As the midi ends slightly below the knee, the calf-baring silhouette creates an illusion that Yoona is even taller than she really is. Plus we love her choice of a floral long-sleeve dress as it allows her to retain her feminine charms while keeping with the modest look.
Photo: Instagram / @yooona__lim
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Ruffles, bell sleeves and the handkerchief hem all contribute to give this black Coach dress an ethereal, boho vibe. Juxtapose the soft silhouette with a pair of rugged leather military lace-ups for a rocker chick look that will bring you from work to play.
Photo: Coach
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This lightweight silk dress from H&M is a great option to wear in Singapore’s heat, especially with its nature-inspired prints and cheery coral hue. Finish with block heels and dainty drop earrings to complete the romantic fantasy.
Photo: H&M
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