Cover Mingyu of Seventeen commands every frame by making clothes feel lived-in, considered and entirely his own (Photo: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)
Mingyu of Seventeen commands every frame by making clothes feel lived-in, considered and entirely his own (Photo: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)
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Balancing structure and ease, Mingyu of Seventeen’s style captures the shift in modern menswear from formal polish to relaxed sophistication
There are idols who wear clothes, and then there is Kim Mingyu, who makes them feel lived-in, considered and entirely his own. The Seventeen lead rapper has quietly built one of the most compelling wardrobes in contemporary pop, moving from Dior’s architectural tailoring to streetwear’s pared-back ease with rare coherence. There is no single image he leans on—only a consistent point of view. In honour of his April 6 birthday, we look back at the outfits that show exactly why he’s become such a presence in fashion today.
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The Dior visionary
Above Mingyu channels cold CEO energy in Dior’s asymmetrical black-and-white tailoring (Photo: @min9yu_k/Instagram)
Mingyu channels cold CEO energy in Dior’s asymmetrical black-and-white tailoring (Photo: @min9yu_k/Instagram)
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In his most architecturally arresting look, Mingyu wears a severe jet-black asymmetrical blazer paired with voluminous white wide-leg trousers at the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition in Seoul. Stark monochromatic colour-blocking, finished with sleek parted hair, thick black-rimmed glasses and a flawless matte complexion, radiates the unmistakable “cold and mysterious CEO” energy that has made him one of Dior’s most compelling house ambassadors. It is wearable artistry at its most deliberate.
The denim heartthrob
Above Mingyu radiates ’90s Americana sensuality in an unbuttoned denim jacket against the city lights (Photo: @min9yu_k/Instagram)
Mingyu radiates ’90s Americana sensuality in an unbuttoned denim jacket against the city lights (Photo: @min9yu_k/Instagram)
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Against a backdrop of nighttime neon, Mingyu channels the provocative DNA of his jean campaigns in a heavyweight dark denim jacket, worn slouchy and unbuttoned over a white tee. A silver chain necklace and relaxed, touchable hair complete the effortlessly raw aesthetic—utilitarian workwear elevated into an object of desire through sheer magnetism.
The Parisian prince
Above Mingyu in a cropped double-breasted brown wool jacket on the streets of Paris (Photo: @min9yu_k/Instagram)
Mingyu in a cropped double-breasted brown wool jacket on the streets of Paris (Photo: @min9yu_k/Instagram)
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Captured in Paris, this look encapsulates the louche tailoring codes of the Dior Winter 2026 Men’s Collection. A cropped double-breasted jacket—worn over a white collared shirt and deep navy pleated wide-leg trousers—dramatically elongates his already commanding frame. Soft, piece-y hair and luminous skin prevent the structured suiting from feeling stiff, yielding consummate princely elegance.
The heavy metal rebel
Above Mingyu exudes rebellious edge in a leather moto jacket loaded with silver hardware (Photo: @min9yu_k/Instagram)
Mingyu exudes rebellious edge in a leather moto jacket loaded with silver hardware (Photo: @min9yu_k/Instagram)
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Black leather and gothic silver hardware converge in one of Mingyu’s most defiant looks. A thick matte black biker jacket, adorned with cross-motif snaps and dagger-shaped zippers, is styled over a white tee, with a black fabric hood adding unexpected high-fashion eccentricity. A heavy silver ring keeps the look visceral and gloriously unfiltered.
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The romantic banker
Above Mingyu subverts corporate dressing with a floral lapel pin on a structured grey Dior suit (Photo: @min9yu_k/Instagram)
Mingyu subverts corporate dressing with a floral lapel pin on a structured grey Dior suit (Photo: @min9yu_k/Instagram)
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Traditional suiting receives a distinctly romantic makeover here. A sharply tailored light-grey Dior suit, styled over a banker-stripe blue shirt and a striped tie, is transformed entirely by one precise detail: a delicate floral lapel pin. The juxtaposition of Wall Street rigidity and softness is a hallmark of modern styling, polished to perfection with high-shine pomaded hair.
The varsity vintage
Above Mingyu makes a bold streetwear statement in a kelly green Boston Celtics leather varsity jacket (Photo: @min9yu_k/Instagram)
Mingyu makes a bold streetwear statement in a kelly green Boston Celtics leather varsity jacket (Photo: @min9yu_k/Instagram)
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In a recording studio, Mingyu radiates Y2K energy in a vibrant kelly green leather Boston Celtics varsity jacket, its elaborate patchwork sleeves a love letter to American sports heritage. Excessively baggy light-wash jeans, a low baseball cap and wrap-around sunglasses worn indoors complete the off-duty anonymity of a global star, with heavy silver rings threading his hardware aesthetic throughout.
The urban geek-chic
Above Mingyu masters autumn colour theory in an orange polo, brown cargos and a knit beanie (Photo: @min9yu_k/Instagram)
Mingyu masters autumn colour theory in an orange polo, brown cargos and a knit beanie (Photo: @min9yu_k/Instagram)
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Shot against the San Francisco streetscape, this look is a masterclass in autumnal colour harmony. A burnt-orange oversized long-sleeve polo is paired with wide-leg brown cargo pants—trailing utility straps adding tactical movement—anchored by heavy black leather boots. Thick black square frames and a snug knit beanie complete the geek-chic, vintage-urban character.
The soft boy-next-door
Above Mingyu embraces soft masculinity in a floral-embroidered white knit sweater and pearl necklace (Photo: @min9yu_k/Instagram)
Mingyu embraces soft masculinity in a floral-embroidered white knit sweater and pearl necklace (Photo: @min9yu_k/Instagram)
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Few looks in Mingyu’s wardrobe are as quietly subversive as this one. A chunky oversized white cable-knit sweater, scattered with delicate pink floral embroideries, is layered with a classic string of pearls. The gender-fluid pairing, softened by a gentle centre-parted hair fall and glass-skin complexion, is a masterclass in the K-beauty standard he upholds.
The nocturnal rulebreaker
Above Mingyu defies convention in a furry hat and an unbuttoned shirt on a night-lit street
Mingyu defies convention in a furry hat and an unbuttoned shirt on a night-lit street
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An enormous furry hat adds maximum textural drama over a structured black jacket worn open to reveal a sheer, unbuttoned white shirt and a flash of bare skin, creating one of Mingyu’s most visually daring looks. Black leather trousers complete the sleek base. The dissonance between winter headwear and diaphanous summer shirting is pure aesthetic provocation—signed off, characteristically, with a bright smile and a peace sign.
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After more than a decade in lifestyle media, Clifford has mastered the art of writing seriously about things that are fun—and writing fun things about people who take themselves very seriously. At Tatler Asia, he helped steer its flagship lists, Tatler’s Most Influential and Asia’s Most Stylish. And today, he leads T-Labs, Tatler Asia’s content innovation hub, where he continues the noble pursuit of lifestyle storytelling, spinning stories on wealth, entertainment, necessary style, Hallyu, Hollywood, beauty and more for audiences across Asia.
