Hanbok: Korea's Traditional Dress, Explained

Hanbok is Korea's traditional clothing, worn on holidays and family milestones and, more and more, by travelers exploring Seoul's palaces. Here's what the pieces are called, when people wear it, and how modern hanbok has evolved.

The Parts of a Hanbok

A basic hanbok pairs a jacket called a jeogori with a skirt (chima) for women or trousers (baji) for men, often topped with an overcoat such as the durumagi. The jeogori is fastened at the front with long ribbons called goreum, and a white collar strip called dongjeong lines the neckline.

The flowing curves of the sleeves and collar and the full, wide skirt are what people most often point to as hanbok's signature beauty.

Jeogori: the jacket, tied with goreum ribbons
Chima / baji: skirt or trousers; baji are often tied at the ankle
Durumagi: an outer coat for going out
Beoseon: traditional padded socks

When Koreans Wear Hanbok

Many Koreans dress in hanbok for major holidays like Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok, for weddings, especially the couple's parents, and for a baby's first-birthday party (doljanchi). Traditional wedding ceremonies may involve special ceremonial robes.

Everyday and Modern Hanbok

“Saenghwal hanbok,” or everyday hanbok, keeps the traditional shape while making it easier to move in. In recent years, modern hanbok with shorter skirts or contemporary fabrics has also become common, and hanbok details increasingly show up in stage costumes and streetwear.

Visiting Palaces in Hanbok

Rental shops cluster around Seoul's royal palaces, and it's common to see visitors strolling the palace grounds in rented hanbok. Some palaces and other heritage sites have offered free admission to visitors wearing hanbok.

Which sites take part and what counts as hanbok can change, so check the official notice from the Korea Heritage Service's royal palaces office before you go.

Tips for Wearing Hanbok

The goreum is usually tied in a bow with a single loop to one side. Long skirts can drag, so lift the hem a little on stairs or in the rain. If you rent, confirm the return time and any deposit terms ahead of time.

FAQ

Is palace admission free if I wear hanbok?

Free admission for hanbok wearers has been offered at some palaces and heritage sites, but participating sites and rules can change, so check the official notice before your visit.

What is everyday (saenghwal) hanbok?

Hanbok that keeps the traditional silhouette but is designed to be comfortable for daily wear.

What is the white strip on the collar?

It's called dongjeong, a white band sewn onto the jeogori collar that gives hanbok its crisp look.

Sources

Last reviewed: 2026-10-28