---
node: fashion_korean_empire
type: fashion
slug: korean_empire_fashion
title: "Fashion in the Korean Empire"
lead: "In the Korean Empire, modernising reforms brought Western dress into public life: officials and the military adopted Western-style uniforms, which came to stand alongside the hanbok."
published: 2026-07-28
updated: 2026-07-28
image_file: korean_empire_fashion.jpg
image_source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portrait_of_Gojong_01.jpg"
image_author: "Chae Yong-sin"
image_license: "Public domain"
image_note: "PD in the US: Korea life+50, author Chae Yong-sin d.1941 (PD in source 1992); not URAA-restored, PD in source before 1996-01-01"
change: "Created as a fashion sub-page under the history section, with a period image (korea region)"
requester: internal
reason: "Per the owner's decision, fashion lives under each history era"
---

## Overview

Amid the opening of the country and modernisation, dress wavered between tradition and the West, and the edict cutting the topknot met resistance.

## Key garments and style

The imperial house, officials and army adopted Western formal and uniform dress, and Western clothes began to appear in the cities — while for most people everyday wear was still the white jeogori with baji or chima.

## Transition

After annexation in 1910, Western dress spread further amid urbanisation.