Today's women have embraced traditional costume or hanbok consisting of a long, flaring skirt (chima) and short jacket (jeogori). But instead of chiffon silk throughout the year, silk satin has become the choice for the winter season.

"As people have come to better understand the real taste of tradition, silk satin is gaining popularity as a fabric for winter," said hanbok designer Lee Young-hee. "Without any decorations such as gold leaf and embroidery, the trend is to seek beauty by attaining harmony through the color combination of the upper and lower garments."

It is, in other words, a kind of minimalism, with women seeking refinement in simplicity, material texture and color combination.

As the "it" item for this winter, Lee recommends matching a skirt in dark brownish red with a light ivory or green jacket and a brownish red breast-tie. For the jacket, a color that suits the wearer's complexion is important. People with dark skin are better off wearing upper garments in gray, light green or the color of mung beans, while fair-skinned women may try more flamboyant colors such as pink and red.