Men's Fashion From China, Black, White, Red

What comes to mind when you recall of traditional Chinese habiliment? In this article, we are going to explore the different styles of wearable that have existed throughout each of China's major dynasties, the traditional dress of China's indigenous minorities, and the role of traditional Chinese clothing in mod China.

Table of Contents

• Clothing throughout the major dynasties
  • Han dynasty
  • Tang dynasty
  • Ming dynasty
  • Qing dynasty
• Traditional clothing of other ethnic minorities
  • Dai indigenous minority (傣族 Dǎizú）
  • Tibetan ethnic minority (藏族 Zàngzú)
  • Uyghur ethnic minority (维吾尔族 Wéiwú'ěrzú)
  • Zhuang ethnic minority (壮族 Zhuàngzú)
• Traditional clothes in modern China
  • A source of pride and cultural recognition
  • Formal occasions
  • Haute Couture
• The new face of Chinese fashion?
• Traditional Chinese clothing vocabulary

Clothing throughout the major dynasties

Prc notoriously has a long history replete with various different dynasties, each special and influential in their own way. However, there are a few that really stand out when information technology comes to the evolution of traditional Chinese habiliment.

$31.99

Traditional Chinese Qipao 旗袍 dress for women. Beautiful design great for whatever formal occasion or nighttime on the town.

Buy from Amazon

We earn a commission if you brand a purchase, at no additional cost to y'all. 12/19/2021 17:54 pm EST.

Han dynasty

The Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) was China's second purple dynasty and was an age of economic prosperity. Information technology is regarded equally one of the well-nigh powerful and influential dynasties in Chinese history.

Fifty-fifty today when people think of the Chinese, they usually call up of the Han people. The Han (汉族 hànzú) are the dominant ethnic group in China, and consequently Chinese characters are referred to as Han characters (汉字 hànzì). As well, the Mandarin language is chosen the Han language (汉语 hànyǔ) and traditional Chinese wearable is called Han clothing (汉服 hànfú).

During the Han dynasty, wear designs and styles were more or less the same for men and women. To distinguish between the genders, unlike colors, fabrics and ornaments were used. This era was known for its "night style," which utilized black and ruby-red colored fabrics.

Traditional Chinese vesture, called Hanfu, dates all the way back to the Han dynasty.

Characteristics of Han wearable include very wide sleeves and a loose layered look, with clothes usually consisting of two or three garments, mainly a loose open cross-collar garment, a long wrap skirt and an open cross-collar robe used as the outer garment and wrapped effectually the waist.

There were ii principal types of robes: the curved hem robe (曲裾袍 qūjūpáo) and the directly hem robe (直裾袍 zhíjūpáo). Women also had the additional selection of wearing a 襦裙 (rúqún) – a cross-collar wrap shirt paired with a long skirt.

Tang dynasty

The Tang dynasty (618-907 CE) is usually regarded as ane of the well-nigh prosperous and culturally significant times in Chinese history. Cheers to booming international trade with neighbouring countries via the Silk Road, Indian, Western farsi and even western culture was integrated into Chinese culture.

Every bit more fabrics and new dyes were introduced from neighbouring countries, the perfect opportunity was created to facilitate a change in traditional mode.

Tang dynasty fashions reflected the prosperous, cosmopolitan nature of the era.

Tang fashions were very colorful, and people put a lot of thought into their outfits. The main materials used were wool, linen and silk, with the latter signifying high status. Silk was exclusively reserved for the noble form due to its price.

Gold and yellow were the exclusive colors of the emperor and purple family unit, and gradually evolved into symbols of imperial ability. Other colors could be freely used by all social classes.

In general, women often wore long sleeved shirts with broad sleeves and collars that showed their cleavage. These shirts, which were considered quite revealing and daring in comparison to previous dynastic fashion trends, were tucked into long flowing skirts decorated with geometric patterns and secured past a sash tied around the chest.

Independent Tang dynasty women wore vesture that was considered revealing and daring at the time.

Makeup during this era was also quite daring, with drawn-on eyebrows, atomic number 82 face pulverization to create the illusion of very white skin, and bloom-like patterns painted betwixt the brows.

Men'due south clothing was a continuation of the styles seen in the Han dynasty, but with more options. Daily outfits consisted of solid-colored robes with rounded collars, usually accompanied with leather belts and boots.

Ming dynasty

Throughout Cathay's dynastic history, at that place were periods where some parts or even all of regal China were ruled past non‐Han peoples, mainly from Manchuria or Mongolia. The Ming dynasty (1368-1644 CE) was a Han ethnic bulk regime that immediately followed the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty.

The start of the Ming dynasty represented a restoration of Han control, so one major aim of the Ming ruling course was to promote Han culture and enhance the Han people'south sense of identity within the new regime. Therefore, article of clothing styles closely resembled that which were seen in the Han dynasty, albeit with a twist – removing the influence of foreigners and ethnic minorities.

Ming dynasty fashions were like to those of the Han.

Men's fashion revolved around square collars and patterns which were used to distinguish between social class and rank. Such patterns or "markings" consisted mainly of embroidered designs featuring animals, plants, and geometric patterns.

Men typically wore their hair in a bun and officials wore a futou (襆头 fútóu), which was a black chapeau with ii wing-like flaps made of thin, oval shaped boards on each side.

Women'south wearable became more small-scale during the Ming. Most women wore a midi length upper garment over a floor-length skirt. This ensemble helped create the illusion of an elongated silhouette.

Another blazon of style was the (袄裙 ǎoqún), a pleated skirt paired with a cross-neckband cotton top that extended downwards beneath the waist. Light and pastel colors were extremely popular.

Women'south fashions during the Ming were more than modest and frequently featured pastel colors and cross-neckband tops.

Embroidered capes likewise became function of the ensemble for both men and women'due south wearable. Normally, these capes had a straight collar with open sleeves.

Qing dynasty

In the 17th century, the nomadic Manchu people overthrew People's republic of china'due south Ming dynasty and established in its place the Qing dynasty (1636-1912 CE).

The Qing dynasty was ruled by the Manchus, a not-Han ethnic group whose traditional vesture preferences shaped fashion trends during this period.

The Qing dynasty clothing system was extremely complicated and came with a lot of dissimilar rules and regulations. During this dynasty, a robe hands revealed the wearer's rank. The dynasty's color was yellow, and this cheering color was reserved only for the royal family.

Qing dynasty mode was largely influenced past the cavalry wear of the Manchu horsemen.

Men typically wore a tangzhuang (唐裝 tángzhuāng), a kind of jacket with a straight collar inspired by the original three-quarter-length riding jackets of the Manchu horsemen. This was commonly paired with an ankle-length wrap skirt. Manchu men also shaved the front part of their hair, leaving the residual in a braid that hung behind their heads (called a queue).

Qing dynasty officials, like Li Hung-chang (pictured hither), wore clothing influenced by their Manchu ancestors.

Initially, the Qing dynasty was extremely draconian when it came to clothing rules, and many Han Chinese were forced to either adopt the Manchu male hairstyle and vesture or face the death sentence. However, this later on became a rule applicative only for those who served as officials or scholars, and non ordinary people.

Manchu women traditionally grew their pilus long in training for wedlock, and married women had a broad multifariousness of hairstyles to choose from – the well-nigh common one being the Liangbatou (两把头 liǎngbǎtóu), which was the hairstyle adopted by Empress Dowager Cixi. This fashion consisted of a tall headdress that had ii handfuls of hair parted to each side of the caput and busy with flowers and ornaments.

Unlike the men, Han women were allowed to wear the Han-style habiliment from the Ming dynasty and did not demand to wear the traditional Manchu hairstyle for women. The everyday clothing style for women from wealthier families consisted of a side or front end-fastening robe with a wrap-around pleated apron brim.

During the Qing dynasty, non-Manchu women were free to wear Han-style clothing, and many did.

When most people think of traditional Chinese clothing for women, they usually think of the qipao (旗袍 qípáo), also known as the cheongsam. The qipao has its origins in the Qing dynasty and was the wearing apparel of the Manchu women. Nevertheless, the qipao didn't really become popular in Hong Kong and Shanghai until the 1920's, after the fall of the Qing dynasty.

Traditional habiliment of other ethnic minorities

Today, the People'south Republic of China officially recognizes 55 different indigenous minority groups in addition to the Han. Therefore, Chinese apparel likewise includes a wide variety of wear worn by members of different Chinese ethnic minority groups.

Many of these minority clothing styles are yet widely in use today, especially in rural areas. Here are a few examples:

Dai ethnic minority (傣族 Dǎizú）

Although the Dai are amid the 55 ethnic minorities of China, they besides belong to a larger family of Dai ethnic groups that also live in neighboring Burma, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Their traditional clothing thus reflects a mixture of unlike cultural influences, with designs closely resembling traditional clothing worn in Southeast Asia.

For example, many Dai women wear a tight-fitting shirt and narrow long skirt or sarong which closely resembles the traditional Thai silk wrap skirt. Traditional male person clothing consists of collarless jackets accompanied by loose trousers.

People from Cathay'due south Dai ethnic minority group wear clothing that incorporates many Southeast Asian elements.

Tibetan ethnic minority (藏族 Zàngzú)

Due to the harsh weather and arid plains of the loftier Tibetan plateau, many Tibetans utilize real sheepskin, fur garments and leather shoes in gild to protect themselves from the cold and harsh weather.

Due to the drastic weather changes throughout the day, layers are worn and taken off to be tied around the waist as the temperatures modify.

In full general, both men and women article of clothing long robes made of wool, sheepskin, leather or material that are secured effectually the waist. Women sometimes wear elaborate headdresses usually made out of silver, coral and turquoise for diverse special occasions and to demonstrate their age and marital status.

Modern Tibetan people ofttimes wear long robes secured at the waste. Image credit: Anne Meredith.

Uyghur ethnic minority (维吾尔族 Wéiwú'ěrzú)

Uyghur habiliment is deeply intertwined with Islamic culture and their proximity to the Silk Route. As a result, the culture of the Uyghurs incorporates aspects of the cultures of neighbouring countries such as Islamic republic of pakistan, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan.

Women traditionally wear long-sleeved dresses decorated with silk embroidery. Golds, reds, and blacks are the near popular colors.

Xinjiang produces the majority of the world's cotton, and then it is a widely used material in Uyghur clothing. The same holds true for satin and silk, and women commonly utilise silk scarves as caput coverings. Uyghur women tend to wear a lot of jewelry to compliment their outfits.

Men article of clothing a long caftan with a long scarf tied at the waist and a "chapan," which is a woolen coat worn during the colder winter months. Men also traditionally wear a doppa, which is a skull cap also worn by men in neighbouring Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Uyghur women often cover their heads with colorful scarves. Image credit: Anne Meredith.

Zhuang ethnic minority (壮族 Zhuàngzú)

The majority of the Zhuang people live in Guangxi province. Their wearable is very plain and largely consists of muted and bawdy colors such equally dark-brown, black and blue. The Zhuang are excellent craftspeople and have historically always self-spun, cocky-woven, self-sown their own dress.

Men usually wear a black tang suit with wide fitting trousers and a waist tie, sometimes paired with a turban depending on the weather.

Women generally wear a collarless jacket which is unremarkably blueish and black, with slightly wider trousers, black turbans on their heads and aprons around their waists. Embroidery tin can be plant on the cuffs and bottom of the placket (an opening or slit in a garment).

Their traditionally apparently outfits are normally paired with argent earrings, bracelets and decorative head accessories. Straw shoes are commonly used past those working in the fields.

Women from the Zhuang ethnic minority group tend to wear dark-colored vesture with embroidered accents.

CLI regularly hosts trips to the Longji Rice Terraces for students enrolled in our Immersion Plan , allowing students to experience the attracting beauty and tranquility of Chinese village life, whilst simultaneously learning about the Zhuang ethnic minority who are amongst the main inhabitants of Ping'an (Zhuang) Village in Longsheng.

Traditional wearing apparel in modern China

In recent years, traditional Chinese clothing has become increasingly popular in modern Prc. This is especially true amid members of the younger generation.

A source of pride and cultural recognition

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in traditional Chinese culture in China, some of which can be attributed to the rise of menstruation dramas.

More and more Chinese youth advocate the revival of traditional Chinese clothing (mainly 汉服 hànfú) and some have even begun to wearable these styles whilst engaging in everyday leisure activities.

Nowadays, it is not uncommon to meet a group of Chinese teenagers or young adults wearing traditional clothing while ordering a chimera tea and strolling around in the downtown areas of major cities. Many now view traditional wearing apparel equally a source of national pride and a mode to showcase the dazzler of Chinese history and civilisation.

Formal occasions

Traditional clothing is also a popular option for more formal occasions and celebratory events. For example, many women cull to habiliment the qipao for formal dinners and Chinese New year's day galas and qipaos are too sometimes used equally professional person uniforms for workers in the high end hospitality industry.

Modernized qipaos are popular uniforms amongst high-end restaurant workers in People's republic of china today.

Haute Couture

Many artistic artists and designers working in the world of haute couture have created designs that fuse various international styles, using traditional Chinese vesture as inspiration and completely redefining the notion of "made in China."

Some famous haute couture designers who include traditional Chinese elements in their designs are Laurence Xu , Guo Pei , Huishan Zhang and Wang Chen Tsai-Hsia (AKA the Chanel of Taiwan).

Even western fashion houses such as Dior and Elie Saab accept created collections entirely inspired and influenced by Chinese embroidery and regal designs.

The new face of Chinese mode?

Despite the ever irresolute trends inside the mode industry, more people in Communist china are looking back to the traditional dress of their ancestors in lodge to honour their heritage and bring back a touch of ancient charm to our mod, digitalized world.

No matter which dynasty you consider, each has left its unique mark on traditional attire and continues to do so fifty-fifty in the 21st century.

They say fashion repeats itself, but rather than post-obit the typical 25-year repetitive cycles used in the fashion industry today, perhaps unearthing and revamping trends from hundreds of years ago is the new way forrad.

Traditional Chinese fashion is currently experiencing a resurgence.

Traditional Chinese clothing vocabulary

Chinese	Pinyin	English
传统服饰	chuántǒng fúshì	traditional clothing
少数民族	shǎoshù mínzú	ethnic minorities
历史	lìshǐ	history
朝代	cháodài	dynasty
着装要求	zhuózhuāng yāoqiú	dress code
长袍	chángpáo	robe
发型/发式	fǎxíng/fǎshì	hairstyle
辫子	biànzi	queue (complect style)
丝绸	sīchóu	silk
棉	mián	cotton fiber
刺绣	cìxiù	embroidery
贸易	màoyì	trade
外国影响	wàiguó yǐngxiǎng	foreign influence
社会阶层	shèhuì jiēcéng	social class
高级时装	gāojí shízhuāng	haute couture
复兴	fùxīng	revival
民族自豪感	mínzú zìháogǎn	national pride

Share this post