Korean traditional attire leaves a lasting impression on visitors. The vibrant display of color, artistry, and style within the country’s cultural heritage has captivated many. Hanbok, the collective term for Korean traditional outfits, encompasses an array of pieces including tops, undergarments, overcoats, headgear, shoes, and even hairpins. Each component is steeped in history and storytelling, with different elements serving as indicators of social status or rank.
The colors used in specific garments also hold significance, often reserved for special occasions or individuals. For instance, commoners are only permitted to wear green when donning a wonsam, underscoring the rich cultural context surrounding Korean traditional clothing.
All you need to Know About Traditional Traditional Dressess
↓ 17 – Hanbok
The hanbok is the traditional clothing of Korea, also referred to as ‘joseonot.’ It encompasses a wide range of garments, including blouses, headgear, footwear, and accessories, each designed for specific occasions. Notably, the fundamental design of the hanbok has remained relatively unchanged for over 16 centuries, with only minor adjustments made to materials, fabrics, and colors over time.
In terms of style, women’s hanbok is particularly renowned for its understated elegance, with a cut and drape that flatter the Korean physique. The jacket-style upper body creates a petite silhouette, while the skirt at the waist adds volume, resulting in balanced proportions and an attractive overall appearance.
↓ 16 – Dopo
During the Goryeo and Joseon periods, Korean scholars known as Seonbi wore dopo, a type of robe that served as their everyday attire. The garment was also donned by government officials. Interestingly, historians have debated the origins of dopo, with some attributing its influence to Buddhism and others linking it to the qwontu, a monk’s robe.
↓ 15 – Baji
In traditional Korean attire, A Baji refers to loose-fitting pants that are tied around the waist. This baggy garment has been a staple in men’s fashion for centuries. Typically paired with a jeogori – a traditional top – it’s a classic combination that exudes cultural heritage.
Interestingly, while women did initially wear A Baji, they have since limited its use as an undergarment to be worn beneath chima, a flowing skirt, allowing the garment to remain a distinctive aspect of men’s formal wear.
↓ 14 – Chima
In traditional Korean attire, the Chima is a long skirt that drapes elegantly from chest to ankle, its length often tied to the wearer’s social status. For upper-class women, the skirt may reach the floor, while those of lower standing are limited to calf-length hemlines. The loose, A-line design provides coverage and modesty, adhering to Confucian teachings on appropriate attire. This versatility makes Chima suitable for everyday wear, allowing the wearer ease of movement and comfort.
The Chima is typically paired with a jeogori, a traditional jacket that completes the outfit. Its waistband, situated just above the chest, adds volume and creates a flowing silhouette. Beneath the skirt, women traditionally wear seven layers of undergarments, consisting of pants and underskirts, to create a more voluminous effect. Today, however, many women opt for a single layer. Korea boasts various types of Chima, including single- and double-layered designs, as well as quilted skirts.
The rear design of the skirt also differs depending on the region, with Pul featuring a separated back and Tong characterized by a seamed back.
↓ 13 – Dangui
In Korean culture, dangui is a distinctive upper garment worn by women from the royal court and nobility. This elegant attire is characterized by its yellowish-green hue, although other colors like purple, white, and navy are also observed. The dangui’s intricate designs and patterns reveal the wearer’s social standing and status.
For instance, royalty would adorn their garments with gold leaf motifs on the shoulders, sleeves, front, and back, symbolizing traits such as happiness, good fortune, and longevity. In contrast, commoners’ dangui were more subdued in design, reserved for special occasions like weddings, often paired with traditional accessories.
↓ 12 – Garot
The humble origins of garot can be traced back to Jeju Island, where the local farmers and fishermen would don it as their everyday attire. Interestingly, the island’s fishing lines were treated with a special dye – that of unripe persimmons. This fortifying property led locals to experiment with dyeing cotton, ultimately resulting in the development of garot. As such, garot essentially refers to garments dyed using the extract from unripe persimmons.
↓ 11 – Gwanbok
Guanfu, also known as Gwanbok, refers to the formal business attire worn by high-ranking officials in Korea. This distinctive attire is characterized by a rank badge that indicates the wearer’s status and position. The type of Gwanbok worn can vary depending on the occasion and the individual’s level of authority. In fact, there are several types of Gwanbok, including jobok, jebok, sangbok, gongbok, yungbok, and gunbok.
At its core, Gwanbok can be described as a robe with a round collar worn by Korean officials, reflecting the wearer’s position and dignity.
↓ 10 – Hwarot
In Korea, Hwarot has been an integral part of traditional weddings for centuries. Initially reserved for royal women, it eventually became a staple at commoner weddings, particularly during the p’yebaek phase. This exquisite gown is typically paired with a jokduri or hwagwan, binyeo or daenggi, and yeongigonji – a trend that involves adorning the bride’s cheeks and brow with red and black makeup spots.
The Hwarot itself is a stunning, floor-length robe featuring wide sleeves that cover the wearer’s hands. The intricate embroidery that adorns it makes it truly breathtaking. Characterized by panels and long side slits, this garment bears some resemblance to the traditional hanbok, except for its symmetrical lines and unique front closure. Unlike other hanboks, which fasten on the right side, a Hwarot closes at the front.
One of the most striking aspects of the Hwarot is its color scheme: red on the outside, blue on the inside. This deliberate choice represents the harmonious balance between the yin and yang principles that govern the union between the groom and bride. The sleeves themselves are remarkable, stretching from shoulder to finger tip and featuring three silk strips in colors red, blue, and yellow, topped with a crisp white cuff.
Throughout the robe, one finds motifs believed to bring prosperity, good fortune, and fertility to the newlyweds – a poignant reminder of the couple’s future together. These floral and faunal patterns serve as a testament to the enduring power of traditional Korean wedding attire.
↓ 9 – Jeogori
The traditional Jeogori attire is a staple in Korean culture, worn by both men and women. While the styles differ slightly between genders, they share a common thread – versatility. For men, Jeogori is often paired with Baji pants, whereas women wear it with Chima, the iconic long skirt. The jacket itself covers the arms and upper body, traditionally crafted from silk, ramie or hemp, although modern fabrics like lace have become increasingly popular.
Upon closer inspection, the composition of a Jeogori reveals multiple components. At its core is the Gil, the largest section that wraps around the front and back of the garment. The Git refers to the fabric trimming the collar, adorned with a dongjeong – a white, removable collar piece. Coat strings, attached to the chest area, are called Goreum. Women’s Jeogori also feature Kkeutdong, a colorful accent at the end of the sleeves.
Unlike everyday wear, Hanbok attire, including the Jeogori, is reserved for special occasions and ceremonies. For instance, women don pink Jeogori on engagement parties, while indigo-hued Jeogori becomes the norm after marriage.
↓ 8 – Jeonbok
A distinctive component of traditional Korean attire is the Jeonbok, typically donned by military personnel. Unlike other pieces of the iconic hanbok ensemble, this long vest eschews overlapping columns for a streamlined design. When worn, it is layered over the dongdari, a single-layered overcoat specifically designed for men.
↓ 7 – Kkachi Durumagi
As Korean children eagerly await the Lunar New Year celebrations, a vibrant tradition unfolds. During Seollal, boys typically don traditional attire, consisting of a jokki (vest), jeogori (jacket), and Kkachi Durumagi – a colorful garment that can be topped with a long vest known as jeonbok. Headgear is also an integral part of the outfit, with boys wearing peaked cloth hats adorned with tiger patterns, known as hogeon.
Meanwhile, girls don their own unique headpieces, called qu’elle, featuring charming motifs.
↓ 6 – Wonsam
Wonsam was a prestigious garment donned by royalty, high-ranking cour ladies, and the queen throughout the 14th and 20th centuries AD. This ceremonial attire played a crucial role in distinguishing the wearer’s rank during special occasions. The colours and embellishments on the wonsam, particularly on the chest, shoulders, and back, served as visual indicators of social hierarchy.
For instance, queens wore red wonsam, empresses donned yellow, concubines and consorts sported magenta, princesses and middle-class ladies opted for green, while commoners were restricted to wearing a simplified version of the garment on their wedding day, also in green. Wonsam was crafted from high-quality silk, with summer wonsam made from loose-weave sa and winter wonsam constructed from glossy dan silk featuring a satin weave.
A distinctive feature of wonsam was its broad sleeves, setting it apart from po. This style of clothing was inspired by Chinese attire and introduced to Korea in 664 AD during King Munmu’s reforms. Over time, the design and silhouette of wonsam evolved significantly, yet today it is often recreated in a simplified form for use in reenactments of Joseon royal ceremonies and weddings.
↓ 5 – Saekdongot
The Saekdongot is a vibrant jacket that has become a staple in many children’s wardrobes, typically donned by kids aged 1 to 7. Its name translates to ‘many-colored clothes’, which is fitting given the garment’s rainbow-inspired design. This whimsical attire is not exclusive to youngsters, as adults can also wear it and evoke their own sense of childhood wonder.
The Saekdongot’s ability to transcend age boundaries is a testament to its timeless appeal, making it a versatile addition to any wardrobe.
↓ 4 – Ayam
An ayam, a traditional winter cap worn by women during the Joseon period (1392-1910), was a staple in western Korea where commoners sought to shield themselves from the harsh winter conditions. The distinctive design of an ayam consists of two primary components: the crown and deurim, a decorative ribbon-like feature. Notably, its curvaceous vertical lines on both the front and back facilitate a comfortable fit around the wearer’s head.
The upper crown portion is quilted, with the outer layer crafted from black or purple silk, while the majority of the crown is covered in white, black, or dark brown fur. A surprising detail is that the inner lining is made of red cotton flannel. Additionally, tassels adorn the center of both the front and back, typically featuring a vibrant red hue and attached via flat braids made from cloth.
Some ayams even showcased an air of luxury with the incorporation of precious stones like jade or amber on the tassels.
↓ 3 – Hwagwan
In Korean wedding customs, Hwagwan plays a significant role as a decorative crown worn by women during the ceremony. Characterized by intricate designs, this ornate piece is often adorned with valuable materials such as gold, bichui, and pearls. While its shape bears some resemblance to that of a jokduri, it boasts a more sophisticated and slightly larger design.
↓ 2 – Gomusin
In traditional Korean attire, gomusins are a type of rubber shoe that resembles modern pump shoes with low heels. Both men and women wear them, making them a versatile fashion accessory. Interestingly, these shoes have a relatively recent history, having emerged in popularity during the 20th century. Prior to this era, straw shoes were the norm, which posed issues with maintenance and functionality when it rained.
This highlights the practical advantage of gomusins, which can be worn without worrying about damage from water or excessive upkeep.
↓ 1 – Binyeo
The traditional Korean outfits portfolio showcases a unique accessory – the binyeo, which serves as a hairpin for securing ladies’ hair into an elegant chignon. This hairstyling solution not only functions effectively but also adds to the overall aesthetic appeal. A significant ceremony was once held when a girl came of age, where binyeo were placed on their head. This tradition was particularly prevalent during the Joseon era.
Binyeo come in various forms, with two primary types being the jam and che. The jam features an inverted U-shape and a longer body, whereas both men and women use them to keep their hairstyles in place – with men opting for topknots known as sangtus.
