Throughout history, the Korean people used various materials to create clothing that is not only functional but stylish and elegant. The clothing they made would have to withstand the seasonal weather that sometimes could be incredibly harsh. From the coldest of winters to the hottest of summers, Korean clothing was made through a combination of skills and durable fabric combinations.
When learning about the fabrics used in Korean fashion and looking back at traditional attire, you see most references to materials used in making a traditional Hanbok. The hanbok was worn in everyday life in Korea until around 100 years ago when western fashion began to make its way into Korea. Read on to learn more about the fabrics used in the creation of clothing and textiles throughout Korea for hundreds of years.
Sambe
Sambe (hemp) is one of Korea's most important traditional fabrics used to make clothing and textiles. The fabric was made by peeling the bark of hemp plants into thin strips to create threads. It then goes through many processes to soften the bark to enable it to be weaved on a loom and transformed into a piece of usable fabric. Of all the materials used throughout history in Korea, sambe was the most common and used among the locals and lower classes. The hemp plant was and is still abundant across the country and was used for centuries as a primary way to make clothing.
Cotton
Cotton is one of the most common fabrics used in Korean fashion and is derived from the cotton plant. It has been used and is still in use today by many fashion designers around the world. It's a popular fabric because it's abundant, durable, comfortable, and can lay on the body in a way that looks great on everyone. Cotton was used in everyday attire, including in some hanboks among the lower to middle classes.
Ramie
Ramie is an incredibly strong natural fiber that is used to make clothing. It's from a nettle plant native to eastern Asia with great properties perfect for a versatile and resilient fabric used to make hanboks. The fabric, although a little weaker, has a similar luster to that of silk and was used to make more high-class hanboks. Because it was not as strong as silk, it was commonly blended with other fabrics to improve its durability.
Silk
Silk is one of the most precious fabrics used in Korean clothing throughout history. The fabric has been traded and sold as an expensive commodity and used among wealth across all cultures. The delicate fabric was traditionally used to create hanboks with beautiful intricate designs reserved for royalty. Silk is a very strong yet soft material that makes a beautiful shine that radiates luxury and elegance.
With Korean clothing, many fabrics are used today to make stylish pieces that fit any Korean aesthetic. Today, fabrics evolve through advanced creation technologies, techniques, and discoveries to create new materials. Many fabric manufacturers aim to create more eco-friendly synthetic fibers to integrate into the fashion industry worldwide.