The Fashion Behind “Siren”
On September 4, Sunmi made her fall comeback with the release of “Siren,” a haunting and powerful anthem with a memorable ‘80s synth sound. In the video, Sunmi is seen in a variety of outfits that capture the transition from summer to fall and incorporate unique textures and vivid colors.
One of the outfits that appears most in the video is a shimmery, blue-green romper paired with a pair of tall, sparkly heeled boots. Although this outfit is pretty simple, paired with dangly earrings and a high ponytail secured with a bit of security tape, it’s the perfect outfit for when the hottest parts of summer have passed, but fall hasn’t quite arrived yet. This outfit incorporates some of the decadence and jewel tones usually reserved for the fall and winter months, but pairs them with a summer-friendly silhouette.
Another outfit featured prominently in the video is a bold, boxy satin top with a ruffled neckline and collar paired with a purple vinyl skirt. This outfit is more avant-garde than the one worn by Sunmi’s main character in the video, who’s seen wearing an oversized cable-knit sweater with a lace neckline. This outfit seems to highlight its wearer as the first character’s alter-ego, as the plunging neckline, sheer fabric accents, and boxy shoulders characterize the wearer as more experimental and otherworldly than most people. The outfit embodies a silhouette typical of Sunmi’s stage outfits—some sort of blouse paired with fitted high-waisted shorts or a skirt—but adds a level of edge. The accessories are kept to a minimum to avoid distracting from such a vibrant blouse.
In addition to the main outfits, Sunmi is also seen briefly in different outfits that, despite not receiving much screen time on their own, showcase more fall fashion trends, including richly textured fabrics, color-coordinated outfits, and accessories that give a modern twist to classic elements. Both of these outfits appear in scenes where Sunmi’s main character looks behind various doors and sees different versions of herself. One of them wears a gold jacket with black trim, paired with olive satin shorts, a tiara with satin and lace, and a pair of raindrop-shaped gold earrings. Additionally, this look is paired with a burgundy red lip color. This outfit takes classic winter favorites, such as gold, red, and black, and reimagines them by paying homage to the structured jackets and satin accents of eras past—specifically, the ‘80s.
Another one of these outfits is a red crushed velvet dress with boxy shoulders and ruffles at the sleeves and hem, paired with a pearl body chain and red jeweled heels. Once again, this outfit takes the classic fall and winter staples of red velvet and pearls, and reimagines them, this time through a modern, sleek silhouette and a trendy body chain that goes beyond the typical pearl necklace or earrings. The large jewels on the heels add an extra touch of texture to the outfit without detracting from it.
The use of rich colors, interesting textures, and modern silhouettes with a touch of retro flair perfectly complement Sunmi’s new song, setting the tone for the upcoming fall season. Which one of Sunmi’s “Siren” outfits is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!