Baby Hanbok Guide: What To Wear For a Korean Dol Ceremony

Last Updated on March 19, 2026

In Korea, the biggest moments in a baby’s first year are the 100-day celebration and the first birthday dol ceremony, and that often means dressing the little one in a beautiful baby Hanbok. If you live in Korea, finding one is not too difficult. If you live abroad, though, it can feel a bit trickier to know where to start.

Over the years, I have had readers ask me where to buy a baby Hanbok online again and again, especially when preparing for a doljanchi. And I understand why. Baby Hanboks are not just adorable, they are tied to family tradition, celebration, and some really precious photos you will likely keep forever.

Whether you’re looking for a dol Hanbok, newborn Hanbok, or a Korean baby Hanbok for a first birthday celebration, here is where to start:

• What Is A Baby Hanbok
• What Is A Dol Hanbok
• A Brief History Of Hanboks In Korea
• What Comes In A Baby Hanbok?
  • Baby Girl Hanbok: What Comes In A Set
  • Baby Boy Hanbok: What Comes In A Set
• What Do Baby Hanbok Colors Mean
• How To Choose The Right Baby Hanbok
• My Joteta Review
• FAQ About Baby Hanbok

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)

---

What Is A Baby Hanbok?

A baby Hanbok is a miniature version of Korea’s traditional clothing made for infants and toddlers. These outfits are most commonly worn for milestone celebrations such as the baek-il (100-day celebration) and doljanchi (first birthday ceremony), though they are also worn for major holidays and family photo shoots.

What I love about baby Hanboks is that they keep the elegance of traditional Korean clothing while being adapted for real life with babies. They look traditional, but aren’t overly complicated to get on a wiggly little human. They are ceremonial, but they are also often one of their first heirloom-style items a family buys for a child.

---

What Is A Dol Hanbok?

A dol Hanbok is a baby Hanbok worn for a child’s first birthday ceremony, also called a doljanchi. The dol ceremony or doljanchi is a Korean tradition that is done at the 100 day mark or on the first birthday of a child and is meant to bless the child with a prosperous future.

Historically, reaching the 100 days and then the first birthday was a major milestone because infant survival rates were much lower than they are today. In fact, families wouldn’t even introduce their babies to neighbors or friends until after the 100 days because of this. This is also why people in Korea will still look a bit aghast if you’re walking around outside with your baby before 100 days has gone by.

The highlight of the Dol ceremony is the doljabi which is when the child chooses an item from a selection of items and this will foretell their future. Joteta also has various items and doljabi sets on their site which would be helpful on the occasion.

---

A Brief History Of Hanboks In Korea

The Hanbok has roots dating back to the Three Kingdoms Period (57BC-668AD) and evolved over centuries, with the versions most people recognize today shaped strongly by the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

Hanboks were designed as daily clothing originally and thus the shape and simplicity of the roomy skirt and easy tie top made it easier to move and work. Over time, color and decoration came to reflect social status, age, marital status, and formality.

By the 19th century more western imports meant that the Hanbok went out of fashion in favor of western-style suits and dresses. Today, most adults in Korea do not wear Hanbok every day, but they are still commonly worn during traditional ceremonies like Jesa during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holiday periods and at weddings. This is one reason baby Hanboks are still so meaningful. They connect a child to a very old tradition right from the beginning.

---

What Comes In A Baby Hanbok?

Baby Hanbok sets are similar to adult Hanbok in structure, but they are designed to be easier to put on and more comfortable for little ones. That means snaps instead of complicated ties, lighter layering, and accessories that are often option.

Baby Girl Hanbok: What Comes In A Set

A baby girl Hanbok usually includes the following:

• The Jeogori (저고리): This is a short jacket that has ribbon decorations. While the adult Jeogori is usually tied with those ribbons, the baby Hanboks usually come with snaps so the ribbon is just a sewn on decoration which makes it much easier to get it on the little ones.
• The Chima (치마): This is the skirt which is actually more of a dress as you’ll notice since there is an upper portion with arm holes that goes on under the jacket. There are different kinds of chimas: single-layered, double-layered, and quilted. My adult one is one layered but that’s because there is separate under part. For the baby Hanboks, they are double layered and the back has Velcro again to put it on and off easily.
• The Jobawi (조바위): This is a traditional decorative hat for girls. It’s not always included in the base set and is often sold separately. Back in the historic days, a Hanbok hat was difficult and expensive to make so it was only used in the family of royalty and nobles. For many families, a headband is the more practical choice if the child refuses hats, which, frankly, is a very baby thing to do.
• Hanbok Shoes: The shoes may or may not be included in sets depending where you purchase from. In all reality, your child will probably never wear them. Hanbok shoes are adorable and can be keepsakes but most likely will go unworn however they are available for purchase.

Here, you can see the adorable baby girl Hanboks available on Joteta.

Baby Boy Hanbok: What Comes In A Set

A baby boy Hanbok usually includes the following:

• The Jeogori (저고리): While the name is the same as the girls, the boy’s jeogori is a longer jacket that has a ribbon decorations. While the adult Jeogori is usually tied with those ribbons, the baby Hanboks usually come with snaps so the ribbon is just a sewn on decoration which makes it much easier to get it on the little ones.
• The Baji (바지): These are the pants. For adults, they usually have a tie waste but for the kiddo version, they are usually elastic to pull up and over easily.
• The Doryungmo (도령모자): This is a traditional boy’s hat. Like the jobawi, it may be sold separately.
• Hanbok Shoes: Again, these are often add-on rather than part of the main set.

Here, you can see the beautiful baby boy Hanboks available on Joteta.

---

What Do Baby Hanbok Colors Mean

Traditionally, Hanbok colors carried important meaning in Korea. Today, many families simply choose the color they like best, but the symbolic meanings are still lovely to know.

Here are some common associations:

• Sky blue: luxury, clearness, and purity
• Pink: love, kindness, and femininity
• Yellow & red together: strong character with a friendly and positive attitude
• Green: youth and vitality
• Pink & yellow: femininity and optimism
• Red: powerful vitality such as the sun, fire, and blood, and means the fullness of positive energy
• Blue: beginnings, hope, and the east, which is where the sun rises and everything begins
• Orange: enthusiasm, fascination, and happiness

---

How To Choose The Right Baby Hanbok

If you are buying a baby Hanbok online, these are the most important things to look for:

• Size: Check the age guide carefully, but also compare actual measurements if available. A tip my mother-in-law taught me when choosing Hanbok is to go slightly bigger if you are unsure. You can always pin or adjust a little, but you cannot magically make a too-small Hanbok work on the day of a celebration.
• Closures: Look for baby-friendly closures like snaps, Velcro, or elastic. Traditional styling is lovely, but function matters when you are dressing a baby.
• Fabric: A good Hanbok should look delicate but still feel well-made. You want something soft enough for the child but structured enough to drape properly in photos.
• Accessories: Check what is included and what is sold separately. Hats, shoes, pins, and headbands are often add-ons.

---

My Joteta Review

The Hanboks available on Joteta are absolutely adorable and if you’re in the market for a Dol Hanbok, then this is definitely a trustworthy site to choose with just beautiful quality products. The Hanbok that we received for baby Aurelia was beautifully made and delicate at the same time.

It was easy to put on the babe and she was comfortable and had room to move freely if she wanted… though she’s not moving too much just yet. There was also a small decorative pin on the lapel that felt like such a lovely finishing touch. Little details like that make baby Hanbok feel even more special.

What I appreciated most was that it felt like more than just a costume, it felt like a keepsake. That is really the heart of a baby Hanbok for me. Yes, it is a celebration. Yes, it is for photos. But it is also one of those pieces you keep tucked away afterward because it holds a memory.

---

FAQ About Baby Hanbok

What is a dol Hanbok?

A dol Hanbok is a traditional Korean outfit worn by a baby for their first birthday celebration, or doljanchi.

Can newborns wear Hanbok?

Yes, some brands offer newborn Hanbok or 100-day Hanbok sizing, though these are usually designed more for photos and ceremonies than all-day wear. There are tie Hanbok-style tops just for newborns to go home from hospitals in as well.

What is the difference between baby girl and baby boy Hanbok?

Baby girl Hanbok usually includes a jeogori and chima, while baby boy Hanbok usually includes a jeogori and baji. Hats and shoes differ as well.

Do baby Hanbok colors matter?

Traditionally, yes, but today most families choose based on preference while still enjoying the symbolic meanings.

Should I size up when buying a baby Hanbok?

Usually yes, especially if your baby is between sizes or you are ordering ahead of a milestone event. It’s easier to take a bigger Hanbok in than it is to try to squeeze a baby into a too-small one.

---

A baby Hanbok is one of those purchases that is practical, cultural, and sentimental all at once. It helps mark an important milestone, connects a child to Korean tradition, and creates photos and memories that families tend ot hold onto for years. Whether you are preparing for a 100-day celebration, a doljanchi, or ust want something meaningful for your child to wear, a beautiful baby Hanbok is hard to beat.

Did you like this post? Pin It!