What is a Hanbok? 2024

Do you like traditional Korean fashion ? Are you looking for some information about the iconic Korean outfit, the Hanbok? Do you want to know more about the origin of this outfit?

So you are at the right place place, because We are passionate about fashion and more particularly Korean fashion!!

Hanbok is the quintessential Korean traditional dress. It is the most popular traditional dress in South Korea, it is worn by women but also men!

In this article, you will learn more about:

• The story of Hanbok
• The characteristics of Hanbok
• The popularity of the Hanbok

By reading this article, you will learn a little more about Korean culture but also about the clothing traditions of South Korea!!

The History of Hanbok

Hanbok (한복) originally means "clothing". This outfit is usually worn for special occasions such as weddings or special ceremonies. It is an outfit composed of bright colors with simple lines as a pattern.

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Appearance of Hanbok (한복)

Hanbok first appeared during the period of the Koguryo Kingdom (고구려) (37 BC- 668 AD). The attire varies according to gender.
It consists of a jacket and pants for men, while for women it consists of a jacket and a long skirt. It is important to know that the color of the jacket is always different from the color of the skirt or pants.
Hanbok changed material or color depending on the social status of the person. Thus, the outfit was more and more sophisticated if the social status was high.

The modernization of Hanbok (한복)

During the Joseon Dynasty (조선) (16th century), Hanbok became a fashion phenomenon at the Royal Court. The colors became more and more vivid, the outfit was highlighted. For women, the jacket became shorter and shorter and the long skirt was worn more and more often above the chest or at chest level.

The Hanbok has been modernized over the centuries, adapting to the seasons in terms of color harmony or the appearance of a Hanbok with lighter fabric during the warmer seasons, or conversely more material for the cooler seasons.

Since the Joseon period, a more conformist way of life has been established to differentiate the different Korean social classes, but also to distinguish the members of the Court and the Royal family.
This more conformist concept allows the fundamental values ​​of Korean society to be highlighted, namely integrity in men and chastity in women.

The Hanbok is therefore a garment considered simple but very elegant with beautiful color harmonies as patterns!!

The “beauties” of Hanbok (한복)

This traditional Korean outfit is said to have several "beauties", or virtues that make this outfit a flagship Korean outfit. We will therefore present them to you so that this traditional outfit no longer has any secrets for you!

• The beauty of the shape: It is an elegant outfit while maintaining freedom of body movement.
• The beauty of the structure: This is a rather simple garment but its simplicity makes it an asset to highlight the movements of the body.
• Natural Beauty: This set is fluid and provides a natural effect.
• The so-called beauty of empty space: Pastel or bright patterns and colors and the fact that the garment is loose allow the personal side to be brought out and the individual wearing the outfit to be highlighted.
• The beauty of personal character: The shape of the Hanbok as well as its colors and patterns help determine the social status of the person.
• The beauty of color: This beauty would be related to the harmony of colors and the theory of Ying and Yang, but also to the 5 natural elements.
• The beauty of creativity: It is a loose outfit that allows it to be described as fluid with an original harmony of colors and patterns.

Some tips for wearing Hanbok in a very elegant way!

An increasingly popular traditional outfit

Hanbok has always been a very popular outfit worn especially on big occasions like weddings or other important ceremonies. What is surprising is the fact that celebrities put this kind of outfit forward, in Korean dramas for example or even K-pop idols who want to create a modern style while keeping a traditional aspect, a more conservative style.

This helps to show the interest that these celebrities have in their Nation by keeping and promoting the customs of the country!

Written by @goalden_project