Korean clothing Hanbok
Hanbok is the traditional clothing of the Korean people. In North Korea, it is called "Chosun clothes", but the essence is the same.
When it comes to "Hanbok", usually only the clothes of the 'late Joseon Dynasty' come to mind, but strictly speaking, hanbok refers to the "traditional clothing of the Korean people" itself, not to a specific costume from a specific period. In other words, it refers to all the various traditional costumes that have changed in shape according to the flow of the times, and these costumes have been continuously changed by reaching other countries or accepting elements of other countries due to the interaction according to the fashion of the times and cultural exchanges with other countries. However, the main stereotypes of hanbok currently recognized in Korea are too limited to those of the Joseon Dynasty, and the quality and quantity of the information are superior to those of other eras. Therefore, most of the information described in this document is also concentrated on Joseon clothing, and the clothes before that are often organized separately by classifying them into “Ancient Korean Clothing” or “Three Kingdoms Period Clothing”. For more information on hanbok from that era, see History of Traditional Hanbok
As of 2021, hanbok in Korea has lost the character of everyday wear and has maintained its legacy as a character for ceremonies. The same is the case in Japan and China, but both are used for important events as well as in real life, and the traditions are well proven and developed, whereas in Korea, despite the various styles shown below, mainly after the end of the Joseon Dynasty. The modern hanbok, which was developed for real life, has been obsolete, showing several problems. It is improving little by little as interest in and historical evidence on the tradition has risen, but there is still a long way to go.
Although hanbok culture has been pushed out of the mainstream due to rapid westernization, it is continuously maintained and changed, and attempts are being made to expand its scope through various materials and designs, leaving behind the identity of tradition.
Traditionally, hanbok was worn with earrings regardless of gender. The excavation of tombs reveals that this has been the case since the Three Kingdoms period, including Silla, and even in the early Joseon Dynasty (before the Imjin War), earrings were worn through ears regardless of gender. As you can see, the descendants of the noble families wore earrings, and it was not against the law to use gold or silver. Then, in the 5th year of King Seonjo (1572), earrings were banned only for young men. Annals of King Seonjo, Volume 6, Second Article of the New Sea on September 28, the 5th year of King Seonjo In the Joseon Dynasty, instead of piercing earrings, earrings appeared on the auricles. The 186th volume of the Annals of King Seonjo, the second article published on April 19, 38 of King Seonjo mentions 'the old woman with earrings', so even women were not banned from wearing earrings. However, in the 30th year of King Seonjo (1597), there is a record that distinguishes between Koreans and Japanese by looking at the piercing marks of men's ears. Even though men's earrings were banned in the 5th year of King Seonjo's reign, it seems that the old custom could not be easily changed. Or someone who had their ears pierced before being banned by law. Annals of King Seonjo, Volume 93, The 6th article of Shinyu on October 4, 30th of King Seonjo
As I will explain in the silhouette paragraph below, Joseon has the characteristic of making bottoms large and rich regardless of age or gender. Yangbanga wore 3 to 5 skirts, and more is possible. Other than that, there are few peoples who have maintained the same homogeneity as the Korean people in terms of aesthetics.
In general, the traditional clothes of East Asian countries have tended to make women's clothes suitable for small breasts, as can be seen in the example of kimonos, and for that reason, they were often produced in the form of pressing the breasts, and in the case of hanbok, It is said that it was no exception because the basic design style of women's hanbok was to make it large and colorful and the top small and simple. However, this is the story of hanbok that has kept the traditional original form, and the improved hanbok or fusion hanbok produced in the modern age is designed to fit the curves of the body in order to conveniently fit the body shape and lifestyle of modern people, and is made with modern materials such as cotton and blouse materials. It is often manufactured in various shapes that do not compress the chest by combining them, and the ease of body movement is considered.