Reactions of Korean women who adopted western-style dress in the acculturation period of 1945-1962: An oral history

The purpose of this study is to analyze the reactions of Korean women who adopted the western-style dress in the acculturation period of 1945-1962. The focus of this study theoretically concerns the reactions of selected Korean women toward western-style dress, as viewed through the anthropological concept of acculturation. Twenty-four Korean women over fifty years old who are now living in the United States were selected for interviews. The data were collected by the oral history method.;The specific theories revolve around the variables of physical and psychological comfort, conformity, body image, societal and peer pressures, and clothing symbolism of ethnic identity in the acculturation process. This is an exploratory approach to acculturation through the clothing changes of Korean women to western-style dress. Moreover, this study not only utilizes a conventional method for historical research, but also provides an anthropological, life history approach. By considering acculturation as a framework for understanding the different reactions of Korean women, we see that change has been dramatic and influenced by two major factors, age and educational background of informants. Adoption of western clothing by Korean women reflects Korean women's adaptations.