Handbok 한복

The Hanbok, worn today are designed after those worn during the Confucian-oriented Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The women's hanbok is comprised of a wrap-around skirt and a jacket. It is often called chima-jeogori, the Korean word for skirt is 'chima' and 'jeogori' is the word for jacket. The men's hanbok consists of a short jacket and pants, called 'baji', that are roomy and bound at the ankles. Both ensembles may be topped by a long coat of a similar cut called 'durumagi'. The Yangban, a hereditary aristocratic class based on scholarship and official, wore brightly colored hanbok of plain and patterned silk in cold weather and closely woven ramie cloth or other high-grade, light weight materials in warm weather. On the other hand, commoners, were restricted by law as well as finances to lighten hemp and cotton, and could only wear white, pale pink, light green, gray or charcoal colors.

During the early of Joseon Dynasty, the emperor made neo-Confucianism the ruling ideology. Its emphasis on formality and custom dictated the style of dress for the royal family, aristocrats, and commoners for all types of occasions including weddings, and funerals. Honor in men and chastity in women became the foremost social values and was reflected in the way people dressed.

Jeogori

The jeogori makes up the upper part of the hanbok. Men's jeogori is larger and simplistic while a woman's jeogori is rather short and characterized by curved lines and delicate decorations.

DongJeong

The dongjeong refers to a white collar attached along the rim of the neckline. It contrasts and harmonizes with the overall curve of the neck.

Otgoreum (Cloth strings)

The otgoreum is a women's ornamental piece, which hangs vertically across the front of the chima.

Baerae (Jeogori Sleeve)

The baerae refers to the lower lines of the sleeve of either the jeogori , or the magoja (outer jacket). It features a circular line which is naturally curved, similar to the line of the eaves of the traditional Korean house.

Chima

The chima is the women's outer skirt. There are different kinds of chima: single-layered, double-layered, and quilted. Pul-chima refers to a chima with a separated back, whereas a tong-chima has a seamed back.

Patterns

Traditional patterns graceful lines and color combinations enhance the beauty of the hanbok. Plant, animal, or other natural patterns are added to the rim of the skirt, the areas surrounding the outer collar shoulders.

Beoseon

The beoseon corresponds to a pair of contemporary socks. Although the shape of the beoseon does not reflect any difference in the gender of its users, men's beoseon are characterized by a straight seam.

Wedding hanbok is different from normal hanbok which is daily use; wedding hanbok is marked by its bright appearance. The bridegroom wears the baji (pants), the jeogori (a jacket), the joggi (a vest), the magoja (an overcoat), and the durumagi (an overall coat). The bride wears a green chima (a skirt), a yellow jeogori (a short jacket), and a wonsam (a bride's long overcoat). Her hair is prepared using a jokduri (a special head ornament).

Kkotsin

The kkotsin refers to silk shoes on which flower patterns are embroidered. They play an important role in completing the graceful line of the lower rim of the chima.

Baji

Baji refers to the lower part of the men's hanbok. . The roomy nature of the cloth is due to a design aimed at making the cloth ideal for sitting on the floor.

Durumagi

The durumagi is a traditional overcoat worn on special occasions over the traditional jacket and pants.