What is a Hanbok made of?

Traditional hanboks are made of silk, satin, or organza, while modern versions often use comfortable, washable synthetic blends or cotton.

Is it respectful for non-Koreans to wear a Hanbok?

Yes, Koreans generally welcome and appreciate foreigners wearing Hanbok respectfully, especially when visiting cultural sites, festivals, or weddings.

How do you tie the chest ribbon (otgoreum)?

Cross the two ribbons, fold the shorter ribbon upward to form a loop, wrap the longer ribbon around the loop, and pull it through to create a neat, one-sided bow.

AI-generated example

Hanbok Costume

Embrace the timeless elegance and vibrant colors of traditional Korean dress.

The Hanbok is the traditional clothing of the Korean people, characterized by its vibrant colors, simple lines, and elegant silhouette. Often worn for celebrations, festivals, and formal events, it typically consists of a wrapped jacket (jeogori) paired with a high-waisted skirt (chima) for women or loose trousers (baji) for men. This guide focuses on the classic female silhouette, which is globally recognized for its graceful, flowing shape.

Difficulty: Easy
Time: ~15 min
Budget: $40–150

See yourself as Hanbok →What you need Buy the Hanbok costume

Try it on

See yourself as Hanbok

One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.

Choose or drop a photo of yourselfJPG · PNG · HEIC

One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.

Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.

Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.

Hanbok costume — Example look · AI-generated

You as Hanbok

Result

What you need for a Hanbok costume

Short on time? Buy it ready-made

Spirit Halloween sells the complete Hanbok costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.

Shop Hanbok at Spirit ↗

Jeogori (Jacket)
A short, cropped jacket with long sleeves and a V-neckline, featuring a white collar strip (git) and a long fabric tie (otgoreum) tied to one side.
DIY: Use a short, wrap-around cropped blouse with wide sleeves and attach a long matching fabric ribbon to tie at the chest.
Amazon
Chima (Skirt)
A high-waisted, full, pleated wrap skirt that flows from just above the bust down to the ankles, typically in a contrasting bright color.
DIY: Wear a high-waisted, floor-length pleated maxi skirt secured tightly just above the bust line.
Amazon
Sokchima (Petticoat)
A structured, multi-layered white underskirt worn beneath the chima to give the outer skirt its signature voluminous, bell-shaped silhouette.
DIY: Wear a full, multi-layered tulle petticoat or A-line crinoline under the skirt.
Amazon
Norigeo (Pendant)
A traditional decorative macrame tassel hanger attached to the skirt's waistband or the jacket tie for an authentic accent.
DIY: Hang a decorative silk tassel or braided cord ornament from the waistband.
Amazon
Hair Ribbon (Daenggi)
A long, wide decorative ribbon, often red or gold-embellished, tied at the end of a long braid.
DIY: Use a wide red satin ribbon with gold fabric paint details to tie off a low braid.
Amazon

Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Hanbok costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗

How to put it together

1
Put on the sokchima (petticoat) first to establish the voluminous base shape.
2
Wrap the chima (skirt) around your chest, starting from the front, wrapping around the back, and securing the straps tightly just above the bust.
3
Put on the jeogori (jacket) over the skirt straps, aligning the collar.
4
Tie the otgoreum (chest ribbon) of the jacket into a single-loop knot on the right side of the chest, letting the long tails drape down.
5
Attach the norigeo pendant to the waistband of the skirt so it hangs gracefully over the front pleats.
6
Style your hair into a neat low braid or bun, securing it with a traditional daenggi ribbon.

Makeup & hair

Keep makeup clean, natural, and dewy with soft pink or peach tones on the lips and cheeks. Hair is traditionally styled in a neat, center-parted low braid (daenggi meori) or a low, smooth bun secured with a decorative hairpin (binyeo).

Hanbok for couples, groups, kids & more

couples: Pair a female chima and jeogori set with a male hanbok consisting of a baji (loose trousers), jeogori, and a long outer vest (baeja).
group: Dress in coordinating pastel or vibrant primary-colored hanboks representing different traditional styles.
kids: Miniature versions of hanboks are widely available in bright, festive colors with comfortable elastic waistbands.
Plus size: The high-waisted, wrap-around design of the chima is naturally adjustable and highly flattering for all body types.
pet: Pet-sized hanbok jackets with velcro closures are popular for festive photos.

Tips

Ensure the skirt is tied high and snug above the bust so it doesn't slip down during movement.
Wear flat, comfortable shoes like simple white slip-ons, as the long skirt will cover most of your footwear.
Steam or iron the hanbok on low heat before wearing to remove creases and ensure the skirt drapes beautifully.

Hanbok costume FAQ

What is a Hanbok made of?: Traditional hanboks are made of silk, satin, or organza, while modern versions often use comfortable, washable synthetic blends or cotton.
Is it respectful for non-Koreans to wear a Hanbok?: Yes, Koreans generally welcome and appreciate foreigners wearing Hanbok respectfully, especially when visiting cultural sites, festivals, or weddings.
How do you tie the chest ribbon (otgoreum)?: Cross the two ribbons, fold the shorter ribbon upward to form a loop, wrap the longer ribbon around the loop, and pull it through to create a neat, one-sided bow.

Did you know? The vibrant colors of traditional Hanboks historically represented the wearer's social status, age, and marital status, utilizing the five elements of yin and yang.