Korean Traditional Socks

Beoseon, or socks, were worn to cover the feet for protective and fashion purposes. It was also called jogui, jokgeon, or mal. In the Silla period, materials of beoseon differed according to social status, and from the Goryeo Dynasty, white cloth became the conventional material for making beoseon. Kings and queens wore blue and red beoseon with strings along with their ceremonial dress. Beoseon consists of a seam, foot width, heel, ankle, and leg. The toe is pointing upwards and the ankle is slightly narrower than the leg. Beoseon is worn with the instep seam allowances folded outwards, and the line of the instep seam going inwards from the center of the foot. According to its shape, beoseon was divided into two types: goteun beoseon whose instep seam line stretches straight toward the toe with a broad ankle; and nuin beoseon whose instep seam line curves to the toe with a tight ankle. There were tarae beoseon for children and flower beoseon adorned or embroidered with colorful threads. Depending on the weather, unlined beoseon, lined beoseon, cotton-padded beoseon and quilted beoseon were worn.