Since ancient times, people have donned the hanbok (,) (also called as joseonot in the DPRK). The hanbok is made up of a skirt and a blouse (chima).

Koreans used to dress differently depending on their social standing, making clothing a significant indicator of social rank. The ruling elite and royal family wore impressive but rather heavy garments. Jewelry was another tool these upper classes used to set themselves apart from the common folk. A typical piece of jewellery for women was a pendant made of precious gemstones in the shape of one or more elements of nature, to which a silk tassel was attached.

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Ordinary people were frequently limited to wearing undyed plain clothing. During the Joseon era, there weren't many alterations made to this common clothing. Everyone wore the same ordinary clothing, although there were differences in formal and ceremonial attire.

People wore cotton-wadded dresses in the cold. Fur was also typical. The common people were sometimes referred to as the white-clad people because they typically wore pure white, undyed textiles.

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Hanbok are divided into three categories based on their intended use: daily wear, formal wear, and special wear. On formal occasions such a wedding or burial, as well as a child's first birthday (doljanchi), women wear ceremonial clothes. There are special outfits produced for people like shamans and bureaucrats.

Even now, formal occasions still call for the hanbok. But the dress's everyday use has been lost. However, active estates of the remaining aristocratic families from the Joseon Dynasty continue outfit their senior residents in hanbok. Although there seems to be a current interest in traditional clothing among some young people, so things could be changing.