The first hanbok is small enough to hold in one hand. Silk chima, a shorter jeogori, a set of dol ddi tied at the waist, a norigae the length of a thumb. It fits for roughly three months and appears in every photo taken that day.
Choosing a dol hanbok is a decision made once, worn once, and looked at forever. Palette, sizing, silk grade, and coordination with the mother's set all matter more than most families realize the first time. What we recommend, what we build in Seoul, and what to skip.
What the parents wear
Parents wear hanbok too, usually muted to keep the visual focus on the child. Mothers often wear a soft pink, ivory, or dusty blue chima with a contrasting jeogori. Fathers wear a charcoal or navy durumagi over a cream undershirt.
Older siblings, if any, also wear hanbok. Grandparents typically wear their own hanbok if they have one, or a more formal ceremonial set for the day.
The doljabi ritual
The centerpiece of the day is the doljabi. The child sits on a small floor table called a doljang. In front of them are symbolic objects: a brush (scholar), a stethoscope (doctor), money (wealth), a microphone (entertainer), a gavel (judge), a soccer ball (athlete). Whichever object the child grabs first is said to predict the child's future.
It is play. No one takes it literally. But the photo of your child reaching for the brush is the photo your mother will keep on her fridge for the next twenty years.
The food table
A traditional doljang table has tteok (rice cakes, especially the rainbow mujigae-tteok), fruit, jeon (savory pancakes), and a tall stack of rice cakes called baekseolgi. The white rice cakes are said to ward off bad spirits.
Modern dol parties often pair the traditional table with a Western dessert table. A small fondant cake with the child's name in Hangul is a sweet way to bridge the two.
What sizes do you order?
One-year-old sizing for hanbok is straightforward. Eric needs the child's height, chest circumference, and (if a hat is included) head circumference. Babies grow quickly, so we ask for the dimensions closest to the event date, not the order date. The sizing guide walks through it.
Order at least 6 weeks ahead
Dol hanbok is made to order in Seoul. Eric inspects each piece in San Mateo before sending it on. Allow at least 6 weeks for production, longer if you want a fully custom set. The earlier the better, the saekdong fabric we like best moves quickly.
See dol and doljabi hanbok for what is currently in the studio.
Talk to Eric
Looking for authentic hanbok for your occasion? Eric at The Korean In Me works personally with each customer, sources every piece from Seoul, and inspects it in San Mateo before it ships. Send Eric a message or text (707) 718-3579.