Baeja

Baeja
	Woman wearing baeja over her jeogori
Korean name
Hangul	배자
Hanja	褙子/背子
Revised Romanization	Baeja
McCune–Reischauer	Paecha

Baeja (/ˈbeɪʒə/; Korean: 배자; Hanja: 褙子; RR: Baeja) is a type of traditional Korean vest which is worn over the jeogori by both men and women.^[1] It is generally sleeveless; however some baeja may have short sleeves.^[2] It was worn during the Joseon period and continues to be worn in present days.^[2] During the Joseon period, some forms of baeja (such as the ones used in the jeokui) were also introduced from China's Ming dynasty as bestowed clothing to the royal family.^[3]

Construction and design edit

Baeja came be square collared or round collared and has a frontal closure, called habim, instead of having a overlapping closure. It also has a detachable collar band called dongjeong. It is closed with a round or knotted button at the bottom of the collar band. The front and back shoulders are sewn together; however the sides are completely open or there is a long side-slit below the armpit. During the mid-Joseon, baeja with short sleeves were worn but were eventually replaced by the sleeveless style in the late 18th century.^[2]

Usage edit

Baeja was used in winter by both men and women to stay warm; baeja made of thinner fabric were also used in spring and fall by women. In the late Joseon, the baeja was generally considered as a form of overgarment.^[2]

In the Pyongyang region, a fur lined baeja called teoldeunggeori or teolbaeja, widely worn by women in winter after the 1945's liberation from Japan; and it continues to be worn in present day.^[2]