Hanbok, the traditional clothing of Koreans
"Hanbok" is a collective term for traditional Korean clothing. Though there have been slight changes in hanbok over time in terms of material, preferred colors, and the length of the skirt or jacket, the hanbok's basic format has more or less remained the same for the past 1,600 years.
Hanbok can be classified into ceremonial and everyday dress, each of which can be further classified by gender, age and season. All types of hanbok are created beautifully through combinations of straight and slightly curved lines. Women's hanbok in particular are recognized worldwide for the simple yet delightful harmony of their short jackets and full skirts. The jacket, which is put on one arm at a time, makes the upper body look very small, while the skirt worn wrapped around the waist makes the lower body look full, creating an attractive balance. The cut and drape of the clothing complements not only the Korean female physique but also flatters and fits most other body types as well.
The eight beauties of hanbok
The beauty of hanbok is found in the elegant flow of its lines and in its pleasing color palette. Just like the gently sloping eaves of a traditional Korean house, the harmony of the curved baerae (bottom line of the jacket's sleeves) with the sharp straight lines of the dongjeong (creased white lining of the jacket's collar) well reveals the subtlety and exquisiteness of traditional Korean aesthetics. The hanbok's attractiveness even shines through in the lovely lines created by the body's movement while wearing it—one of the reasons it enjoys such global attention. The hanbok is typically defined as having "eight beauties," as beauty of structure, form, creativity, harmony, color, nature, empty space, personal character.Hanbok, the most "Korean" dress code
Having coexisted with the Korean people ever since the beginning of their history, hanbok is a beautiful cultural heritage that all Koreans should be proud of not only for its historical value but also for its uniquely Korean artistic significance. The hanbok, which changes only slightly according to the season, social status and situational context, is highly regarded for its creative design and overall elegance.
Although the hanbok to some extent lost its place in Korean daily life due to the rapid inflow of Western civilization after Korea's opening to the Western world in the 19th century, it is still the most representative of Korean dress and a symbol of the identity of the Korean people.
Hanbok is now being blended with more modern forms of dress, opening up a new era of Korean clothing design.
* Photos Courtesy of The Royal Tailor and The Sword with No Name
No comments:
Post a Comment