Hanbok, Korean Clothing

Hanbok is Korean traditional clothing. It is handed down from ancient Korean times, but today’s Hanbok is similar to the style during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Since Korea has abundant materials for making dyes, rich colors are expressed through Hanbok. The vivid colors of Hanbok play an important role to express the beauty of Hanbok with its relatively simple style. It is very appropriate for the floor-sitting life style in Hanok, Korean-style Housing, and is good on everyone regardless to the body shape with its volume.

Women’s Hanbok is basically made up   for:-

1. Jeogori (the upper garment),

2. Chima (skirt),

3. sokbaji (underpants),

4. sokchima (under skirt), and

5. beoseon (socks).

Put on sokbaji and sokchima first, beoseon next, and wear Jeogori after wearing Chima. When you put on Chima, the left end should be on and tie the strap at the front. You can put on Durumagi as the outer garment.

Men’s Hanbok is composed of:-

1. Sokgoui,

2. Jeogori,

3. Baji (Pants),

4. Beoseon, and

5. Daenim.

Put on underwear and Sokgoui first, and wear Baji; adjust the waist size by folding it to the left from the center at the front. Put on Jeogori, and wear Beoseon and tie Daenim around your ankles.

One hundred years ago, Koreans wore “Hanbok” in general life, but today they don’t usually wear them. Koreans at present time put on Hanbok usually on the special occasions such as weddings and traditional holidays. Compared with the long length and complicated way to wear the traditional one, Hanbok adjusted to modern life has shorter length and it is much easier to put on or move. There are many kinds of SangHwal Hanbok(Daily Life Hanbok) and people still love their traditional clothes. The Korean designers have constantly introduced Hanbok to the international fashion shows such as Pret-a-Porte in France, and people around the world are showing their interests on Hanbok.

Hanbok and Accessories

1. Norigae
Norigae is one of the personal ornaments, which is worn at the inner or outer coat-string
or at the waist of Chima(skirt). Gold, silver, jewel, or embroideries has been often used as its materials.

2. Binyeo (hair pin)
Binyeo was called Gye, Chae, Jam, and widely used from later Joseon Dynasty(1392 – 1910). There were various shapes and materials of Binyeo, and they stood for the class of the one who wore it. It is consisted of a long body and the head, and people decorated the head with various materials and colors.

3. Jokduri

Jokduri is a coronet put on women’s head at ceremonies. It is roundly shaped and made of black silk. Women put it on the head and fix it with the Binyeo.

4. Ayam(Jobawi) 
Many women put Ayam on the head wearing the Saenghwal Hanbok(modern-style Hanbok) nowadays. It covers the forehead to ward off the cold. There is also Ieom to protect the ears against the cold. They were used from the Joseon Dynasty(1392 – 1910).

5. Beoseon

Beoseon is unique Korean socks that go well with Hanbok. Both men and women wear it, and it plays a big role with Kkotsin(Korean shoes made of rubber with a flower pattern on it) to bring out the fine Korean clothes.