Korean National Costume

Posted by admin on May 27, 2012 in Asian | 0 comments

Hanbok (in South Korea) or Chosŏn-ot (in North Korea) is the conventional Korean dress. It is often categorized by lively colours and straightforward lines without pockets. Though, the term exactly means “Korean clothing“, hanbok nowadays often refers exclusively to hanbok of Joseon clan and is worn on formal or semi-formal conventional celebrations and festivals. The contemporary hanbok does not accurately follow the real pattern as worn in Joseon clan as it went through some main changes through the 20th century for realistic reasons. Throughout the past, Korea had a double clothing custom, in which aristocrats and rulers adopted diverse types of mixed foreign-influenced original designs, while the common public continued to utilize a distinct pattern of native clothing that today is called Hanbok. Jeogori is the fundamental upper outfit of the hanbok that has been worn by women and men. It covers the upper part and arms of the wearer’s body. The fundamental type of a jeogori consists of git, gil, dongjeong, goreum along with sleeves. Gil is the big section of the dress in both front and rear side and git is a group of fabric that reduces the collar. Dongjeong is a detachable white collar put over the end of git and is usually squared off.

The goreum are coat-strings that secure the jeogori. Women’s jeogori might have kkeutdong, a diverse coloured cuff put at the end of sleeves. However, there are double jeogori that might be the initial current archaeological finds. One is from a Yangcheon Heo Dynasty tomb that is dated 1400-1450, while another was revealed inside a sculpture of Buddha at Sangwonsa Temple (apparently left behind as an offering) which has been dated to 1460s. The outline of Jeogori has actually changed with the passge of time. While men’s jeogori in fact remained relatively unaffected, women’s jeogori considerably shortened throughout Joseon dynasty, acquiring its shortest measurement during the late 19th century. Nevertheless, due to improvement efforts and realistic reasons, contemporary jeogori for women is in fact longer than its previous counterpart. However, the overall length is still over the waist line. Conventionally, goreum were narrow and short, nevertheless contemporary goreum are rather wide and long. There are quite a few forms of jeogori according to material, sewing method, and shape.

Chima refers to a skirt which is also known as sang or even gun in hanja. The petticoat layer or under skirt is known as sokchima. As per the last murals of Goguryeo, and a clay toy unearthed from the region of Hwangnam-dong, Goguryo women tend to wore chima first, and then jeogori on the chima, covering the belt. Though, streaked patchwork skirts, and even gored skirts are recognized from Goguryeo era, from the Joseon kingdom at least skirts were produced from rectangular fabric that was interlaced or accumulated in a skirt band. This waistband actually extended past the skirt material itself, and produced ties so that the skirt can be fastened over the trunk of the body. The overall comfort, durability and elegance of this dress is great and if you want to buy some, click here.

Characteristics Of Korean National Costume:

• hanbok worn on formal and semi formal occasions
• has a white collar
• jeogiri is the upper part of hanbok
• conventional goreum is short and narrow
• modern goreum wide and long