Today, hanbok is worn mostly on special occasions, and is divided into categories based on its function. These include, but are not limited to, weddings, 61st birthdays, first birthdays and holidays. The various kinds of hanbok are classified according to the social status, class, gender, and age of those who wear them.
Myeongeol Hanbok
Koreans traditionally show their respect to their parents early in the morning on the first day of the New Year by bowing deeply. Customarily, both parents and children wore hanbok. Children’s hanbok usually consists of a rainbow-striped jeogori (jacket) and either a chima (girls’ skirt) or a baji (boys’ pants).
Dol Hanbok
The first birthday of a child, the dol, is traditionally celebrated with wishes for longevity and health. Children wear the dol-hanbok or dol-ot on this special day. A boy usually wears a pinkish jeogori (jacket) with a long blue goreum (cloth strings). Girls usually wear a rainbow-striped jeogori for special occasions. Currently, the trend is for girls to war a dangui, a kind of ceremonial coat.
Hoegabyeon Hanbok
Hoegabyeon is when children throw a party to celebrate the 61st birthday of either parent and wish for their longevity. Men who turn 61 wear a geumgwanjobok, while women wear a dangui, a kind of ceremonial dress for special occasions.
Hollyebok – Wedding Hanbok
Unlike hanbok for daily use, hanbok worn as a traditional wedding costume is marked by its bright appearance. The bridegroom wears the baji (pants), the jeogori (a jacket), the joggi (a vest), the magoja (an overcoat), and the durumagi (an overall coat). The bride wears a green chima (a skirt), a yellow jeogori (a short jacket), and a wonsam (a bride’s long overcoat). Her hair is prepared using a jokduri (a special head ornament).
Saenghwal Hanbok
A simplified version of hanbok was introduced for daily use as the use of traditional hanbok follows complex rules, and requires meticulous attention. The modern version comes in a wide variety of styles and fabrics for people who want to express their individuality by wearing something that is convenient, combines traditional beauty as well as modern simplicity.
Gallery of Colorful Hanbok for every occasion
To buy the Hanbok above you can visit Min Hanbok website. Min Hanbok has been featured in various Korean Dramas like 대장금, 천추태후, 최강칠우 and others. Various celebrities like Lee Min Ho, Gu Hye Seon, Kim Su Hyeon, Pak Min Yeong, Lee Seung Gi and others have work their Hanbok. If you are in Seoul, then you can visit their gallery at Gangnam Gu, Seoul.