North Korea bans leather coats after Kim Jong-un sparks copycat craze

KIM Jong-un has reportedly banned citizens in North Korea from wearing leather coats — because they are copying his signature look.  The style-conscious dictator originally wore his black trench coat in 2019 and was wearing it when he last appeared after returning after his longest absence in seven years. ReutersStyle king Kim Jong-un pictured here in photographs released last week[/caption] APSince he started wearing his signature leather trench coast, sales have boomed among his subjects[/caption] Kim’s leather coat has since become iconic in the hermit country where there is a cult of personality surrounding the despot and his fashion choices.  Originally it was the communist state’s elite who could emulate their leader as they could afford to buy real leather coats imported from China. Then North Korean garment makers began to import fake leather to make them in the country.  Soon almost every North Korean marketplace was selling the coasts and before long many young men were strutting about in them.  But for Kim and his henchmen enough is enough and a ban is now in place.  Radio Free Asia reports actual fashion police are patrolling the streets to confiscate the jackets from sellers and any copycat citizens sporting the look. Most read in The Sun IN THE DOCK Bobbi-Anne's family hurl abuse at musician in court accused of her murder WEATHER THE STORM Ant & Dec forced to cancel I'm A Celeb live show for first time EVER SIN-TERIOR TO CHIC I'm a interiors expert - the things that make your house look cheap sleepover 'murder' Man 'raped girl, 11, before murdering her and pal, brother and mum' BOOBY TRAP People think I’m a flat chested 12-year-old but I’m actually 21 with 28G boobs RICH RESTING Richard Madeley 'too ill' for GMB return on Monday after I'm A Celeb exit A source said: “Young men protest, saying they bought the coats with their own money and there is no reason to take them away. “The police respond to the complaints, saying that wearing clothes designed to look like the Highest Dignity’s is an ‘impure trend to challenge the authority of the Highest Dignity’. “They instructed the public not to wear leather coats because it is part of the party’s directive to decide who can wear them.” The leather trench coat has also been worn by the dictator’s sister Kim Yo Jong, who is speculated to be his chosen successor, according to reports. Therefore it is said to have become a symbol for powerful women too. It comes after Jong-un reportedly gave mullets the chop — banning the retro hairstyle along with skinny jeans in a swipe at “Western decadence.” AFPKim Jong-un is often pictured in fancy suits[/caption] We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun news desk? Email us at exclusive@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4104. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours. Click here to get The Sun newspaper delivered for FREE for the next six weeks.