Everything You Need To Know To Buy A Modern Hanbok Online
Are you ready to buy a modern Hanbok? Have you seen some of your favorite K-pop artists wearing Hanboks? Or maybe you’re just getting ready for an upcoming Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving, or Seollal, Lunar New Year, holiday.
Whatever the reason, here is everything you need to know to buy a modern Hanbok online. I have four Hanboks myself, a traditional Hanbok and three modern Hanboks, and I’m ready to get you ready to buy a Hanbok yourself. Traditional has become trendy.
Get your modern Hanbok now:
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A Brief History Of The Hanbok
The Hanbok has roots dating back to the Three Kingdoms Period in Korea from 57BC to 668AD, though the Hanboks most often seen for rental and purchase around Seoul are from the last dynasty in Korean history, the Joseon Dynasty which reigned from 1392 to 1910.
Hanboks were designed as daily clothing and thus the shape and simplicity of the roomy skirt and easy tie top made it easier to move and work. By the 19th century more western imports meant that the Hanbok went out of fashion in favor of western-style suits and dresses.
Today, Hanboks are commonly only worn during traditional ceremonies like Jesa during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holiday periods and at weddings. I personally wore a Hanbok for my entire Korean wedding ceremony but these days brides often wear a western-style white wedding dress and only wear the Hanbok during the Paebaek ceremony that includes a piggy-back ride. Imagine jumping on your husbands back in a tight white dress!
While I own four Hanboks myself, it’s actually far more common for people to rent Hanboks before any of the holidays or a wedding which is why there are so many rental shops around Korea.
What Is A Modern Hanbok?
A modern Hanbok, also called a daily Hanbok (생활한복), is what a lot of people are opting to wear these days as they tend to be more comfortable and easier to wear than traditional Hanboks. I love my traditional Hanbok, which is the one on the left above, but my daily Hanboks, like the one on the right, travel easier and can be slipped on and off a lot easier too. Modern Hanboks can come in a wide variety of shapes and colors now. What started as just shortening hems and using cotton over silk has expanded into even more options following fashion trends or not.
Where To Buy A Modern Hanbok Online
I have three modern Hanboks myself. I got one in person and was fitted for it and everything but the other two, I got online. Just check out these gorgeous Hanboks and then get your own! Here are the 6 best websites to buy a modern Hanbok online.
Joteta
Joteta is a great brand with Hanboks for babies and children as well as women. We got a baby Hanbok from Joteta (you can check our review of the Joteta baby girl Hanbok here) and it was just beautiful. They offer a beautiful range of Hanboks in a variety of colors and the one we received was very well made. Joteta is a growing brand. When I originally got the baby Hanbok from them, they only had children’s options, but now have women’s options as well so keep your eyes on them to see what they add next! The baby Hanboks are a bit more traditional but the women’s Hanboks are definitely the modern Hanbok style.
- Where To Buy A Joteta Modern Hanboks: Women’s Modern Hanboks (Prices range from $68.00 ~ $132.00), Baby Girl Hanboks (Prices range from $75.00 ~ $115.00); Baby Boy Hanboks (Prices range from $80.00 ~ $135.00)
Leesle
Leesle is a modern Hanbok design company that you might recognize because some pretty huge K-Pop idols have worn the designs. Members of BTS, SHINee, and KARD have all been spotted wearing Leesle designs. Be like the K-pop stars. Get a Leesle modern Hanbok. One of the most popular modern Hanbok producers out there, they make some gorgeous high-quality pieces for both men and women.
- Where To Buy A Leesle Modern Hanbok: Get a modern Hanbok from Leesle here.
Kooding
Kooding has a variety of clothing products not just modern Hanboks. As a Korean online shopping mall, they have a lot of variety. They also expand their options from the main modern Hanboks, but they also have modern Hanbok-inspired clothing options. Kooding also carries Leesle modern Hanboks, Danha modern Hanboks, and other brands all in one place so you can get everything in once place if you want to go that way.
- Where To Buy Kooding Modern Hanboks: Get a gorgeous Danha Seoul modern Hanbok here (Danha Seoul are some amazingly cool modern Hanboks that have been worn by a ton of K-pop idols.). Or, you can check out some great Teterot modern Hanboks.
Etsy
It might surprise you, but you can find some beautiful modern Hanboks on Etsy. Etsy is known for promoting small business and handmade products. Make sure to read the reviews before you buy because every business on there is different but I’ve always had great luck with what I’ve gotten on Etsy. As another site that aggregates shops, you have A LOT to choose from on Etsy. Have fun searching!
- Where To Buy Modern Hanboks on Etsy: Start with this modern Hanbok on Etsy and see what else you like!
Danha Seoul
Danha Seoul has some of the coolest modern Hanboks I’ve seen and I’m not the only one that has noticed. BLACKPINK even wore some of Danha Seoul’s creations in a music video. They are an eco-friendly brand that uses organic or recycled fabric and uses traditional Korean drafting methods that minimize fabric waste. There are pieces for both women, men and children too!
- Where To Buy Modern Hanboks from Danha Seoul: Check out the beautiful modern Hanboks from Danha Seoul.
The Korean In Me
A popular site to buy modern Hanboks on, there are modern Hanboks for both men and women, as well as children. They have a rather large selection that includes modern Hanboks for men, women, and children.
- Where To Buy The Korean In Me Modern Hanboks: Check out all of the modern Hanboks for women, men, and children here.
Coupang
If you haven’t shopped on Coupang much, then you might be surprised what you can find there. I actually got my spring blue modern Hanbok on Coupang one year when I wanted something lighter and easier to carry. It’s perfect.
You’ll need a bit of Korean skills or the ability to sleuth on there, but you should definitely see what is available. A lot of things are the sort of FREE size, but have a search and see what surprises you can find. It’s pretty easy once you get used to Coupang and it’s super fast too. This is also a great option for men’s, women’s, and children’s Hanboks.
- Where To Buy Hanboks on Coupang: Check out the 모던한복s on Coupang here.
Is there a best website to buy a modern Hanbok? That’s up to what kind of style you want. Whether it’s a bit more traditional leaning or something bright and patterned, there is a Hanbok for you on one of those sites.
A modern Hanbok is a great option for a more wearable option if you want to strut your stuff down city streets or to an event. I hope you find the best Hanbok for you!
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2 Comments
Evie
I loved this article!
Could I ask where is this hanbok graffiti you took your picture in front of and if it is still there now?
Cheers!!
Hallie Bradley
That was a moving installation by artist RoyyalDog. He has quite a few in Korea but that one was moved. If you search Royyal Dog on here, I’ve tagged where his other works are. There is one in Gangnam area and downtown near Seoul Station. There used to be more but quite a few have been painted over in the past couple of years unfortunately.