The 추석 palette is the palette of the field in late September. Persimmon orange. Sage green. Dusty mustard. Ivory that catches the low autumn light. A silk jeogori that would look overproduced in July reads exactly right against a table of Asian pears and freshly steamed songpyeon.
Chuseok falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, the harvest full moon. This is a short piece on what the holiday actually is, what families do on the day, and the seasonal register that hanbok carries into the 추석 photograph.
What people wear
Hanbok is the traditional Chuseok outfit. Not everyone wears it now, especially in the cities, but the family photo at the end of the day usually includes at least some hanbok. Older relatives almost always wear it. Children often do. Adults in their 30s and 40s split.
Chuseok hanbok tends toward seasonal colors. Soft persimmon orange, sage green, dusty mustard, ivory. The fabric is often a light silk or silk-cotton blend, because September in Korea is still warm. The palette echoes the harvest, the moon, and the changing leaves.
If you are celebrating in the US
Korean-American families in the Bay Area celebrate Chuseok at home, at church, or at community gatherings. The Korean Cultural Center in San Francisco hosts a Chuseok event most years. Many families do a simplified charye with the food they can find at H Mart and gather for the photo in hanbok.
For Korean-American children, Chuseok is often where they first encounter their hanbok. Eric's children's hanbok and Chuseok collection are sized for kids of all ages.
Order early
Made-to-order hanbok take 2 to 3 weeks to make. Earlier is better, the seasonal silks we like sell out.
Talk to Eric
Looking for authentic hanbok for your occasion? Eric at The Korean In Me works with each customer, selects pieces in Seoul through authorized Korean suppliers and makers, and inspects each piece in San Mateo. Send Eric a message or call or text Eric.