The magoja was originally a Manchu style of clothing, but was introduced after Heungseon Daewongun, father of King Gojong, returned from political exile in Manchuria in 1887.

[1][2] The magoja is derived from the magwae (magua in Chinese) that he wore at that time to protect against the cold weather of the region.

[2] The magoja does not have git (깃, a band of fabric that trims the collar)[3] or goreum (고름, coat strings), unlike the jeogori and durumagi (overcoat).

The color for these silk women's magojas tend to be neutral in order to harmonize with other garments such as the jeogori and chima (a voluminous skirt), the two main parts of the female hanbok.

As for men's magoja worn during spring and summer, jade, green, gray, dark grey are used.