Why XO Kitty season 3 must keep Sang Heon-Lee's Minho colourful luxe aesthetics, the real star of the show

You might have liked his fashion sense...a little. Or...a lot. (If you know, you know).

Either way, it caught your eye. That's the magnetic hold Sang Heon-lee's sassy Minho appears to have had over fans in the latest season of Netflix's XO Kitty. It has been over two weeks since the show aired, but the discussion surrounding the show isn't quite dying down. While the chemistry between Minho and Anna Cathcart's Kitty continues to take centrestage, there's a lot of talk about just the fashion sense of the show, with the spotlight on Lee.

So, what’s the style file in XO Kitty? From Kitty’s playful, colourful ensembles to Minho’s varied wardrobe that mirrors his rebellious attitude, the show might just be a love letter to modern fashion.

Kitty’s style: Quirky with a touch of Y2K nostalgia

She’s messy and a little confused—just like most teens—but her heart is always in the right place. That’s Kitty Song Covey in a nutshell, and her fashion perfectly mirrors her chaotic yet heartfelt life. Mabel O'Neal, a Dubai-based fashion entrpreneur, laughs as she recalls how her 16-year-old daughter admired the sweatshirt, short skirts, and comfy pyjamas from Kitty's wardrobe collection. "Moreover, we're also talking about vintage-inspired pieces, soft pastel tones, and minimal accessories. Kitty was all about the Y2K revival with plaid skirts, cropped cardigans, and playful sneakers, blending Western trends with a distinctly Korean flair," says O' Neal. Kitty cranks it up a notch in club scenes without losing the essence of her character: She looked good with a mesh shirt and bold print, bringing some form of chaotic drama to the table. Another instance of Y2k was when Kitty turned detective and wore a red jacket, which just added a lot of colour to the frame. Another nod to Y2K style was when Kitty turned detective, sporting a red jacket that injected a vibrant pop of colour into the frame. A particular fan-favourite was when she stepped out in a rare Betsey Johnson dress, showcasing a bold rope-style pattern in vibrant shades of orange, pink, and yellow.

A signature element of Kitty’s style is her love for oversized sweaters and mix-and-match prints. "There was just comfort in everything she wore, be it a pullover, or a sundress. It just reflected her chatty personality," says O' Neal.

Minho, the real fashion icon of XO Kitty

You can love or hate it...but you have to admit, his fashion statements really stand out.

O'Neal laughs and says, "It's no wonder that he was such a subject of discussion is it? He could blend cool, minimimalism, and bring a different kind of edginess to the role. His wardrobe reflects his character’s suave confidence and charm. He mixed it up well with tailored blazers, puffer jackets, perfect accessories like sunglasses, all of which pointed towards the character's nonchalance." She also mentions his 'academia fashion', where he wore a sweater over button-tops. And nothing seemed overdone or extra yet, like the bright red jacket in the last episode of Season 2, where he bids Kitty goodbye.

Perhaps one secret to his style file lies in layering —think crisp shirts under relaxed knitwear or structured coats over simple tees, all paired with perfectly fitted trousers or effortless sneakers. His colour palette leans towards neutrals with the occasional pop of colour, giving his outfits a refined yet trendy feel. "Somehow the colour never seems excessive with him, even if it's a bright pink shirt," adds O"Neal.

Back-to-school outfits

If Minho was all about K-drama luxury, other characters knew how to make school outfits and streetwear standout too. For instance, the character Praveena, played by Sasha Bhasin.

The cool, brazen Praveena's personality was mirrored in her introductory outfit itself, casual yet undeniably comfortable. A hoodie under a trench, paired with headphones and hoops, might seem simple, but when worn with confidence, it becomes a statement.

Just being practical like Dae

Trying to catch a break between fake relationships, recovering from a break-up and processing a blooming romance? Go practical like our erstwhile Dae, who masters a triple-layered look with a raincoat and hoodie.

Yuri and Q: Streetwear to sports glam

What happens when streetwear meets designer pieces?

Yuri (Gia Kim) showed us. O' Neal's colleague and friend, Jade Mars, explains, "Her style sense was all about being really out there. So, bold blazers, structured handbags, and different kinds of hairstyles, was her style file." Meanwhile, Q (Anthony Keyvan) got the memo of sporty athlesiure and somehow crafted his own fashion sense with athleisure pieces, varsity jackets, and laid-back sneakers.