Traditional Chinese clothes
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Traditional Chinese clothes fascinate and question their essential roles in the Chinese culture. If today, traditional clothes are generally only worn during traditional celebrations or other religious occasions, these clothes still amaze the curious.
History of Chinese costumes
Historians discovered Chinese clothes dating from the Paleolithic era, or about 1.7 million years ago! Much more rudimentary, these clothes are however only distant ancestors of those we know today. They were then made up of animal skins, and decorated with stones and animal teeth. The clothes akin to traditional Chinese outfits only appeared much later, around 5000 years ago, created by Huángdì, the Yellow Emperor. As the Shang Dynasty (1,700 BC - 1046 BC) approaches, the basic characteristics of traditional Chinese clothes had already appeared, just like the traditional patterns. Later only, during the Zhou dynasty (1046 to 256 BC), the long dresses, akin to toges, appeared, and for thousands of years, were as popular as the sets of blouses and Long skirts, both for ladies and for men.
The formation of the Republic of China (1912 - 1949) then marked an important turning point in the history of traditional Chinese clothes. The Mao costumes (or Zhongshan costumes) then became in order for men, and Qipaos (also called Cheongsams) for women. At the start of the People's Republic of China, this traditional costume also became popular with Chinese women. Then, during the 1970s, during the opening reforms of the territory, the Chinese gradually adopted a Western clothing style.
Meaning of the characteristics of traditional Chinese clothes
The meaning of the characteristics and main patterns of traditional clothes have evolved over time. For example, black was considered a color worthy and reserved for high castes during the Xia dynasty (207 to 1600 BC), while it concerned the white color during the Shang dynasty, and red during the Zhou dynasty. The clothes worn also depended heavily on the social status, of the political positions, or occupation. For example, embroidery of dragons and bright yellow are generally reserved for emperors. During the Tang dynasty (618 - 907), purple was reserved for officers of 5th Grade or more, while during the Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), the more rich a person was and had a high social status, the more his clothes were embellished with embroidery.
Some typical Chinese clothes
Dress trends change over time and regions, and each minority and ethnicity has their own codes. However, there are several types of traditional clothing that are particularly popular.
Hanfu (汉服)
Hanfu is a traditional Asian garment used by the Hans between the coronation of the yellow emperor (2698 BC) and the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644). It was particularly popular during the Han dynasty, between 206 before J.C. and 220 AD "FU" signifying clothing, the hanfu refers directly to the clothes worn by the Hans which popularized and improved Chinese fashion during this period. The Hanfus are long tunic, with a cross -collar whose right lapel passes above the one on the left. Rather loose, the dress is embellished with long sleeves, and there is no button, the tunic being held by a belt. Although of a fairly simple style, this silk garment often gives a fairly dramatic, sometimes epic appearance, by the resulting drape.
Qipao (旗袍)
The Qipaos, also called Cheongsams, are female clothes inherited from the Manchu. Always very popular today, they have evolved to adapt to Western clothing codes, and exist, for example, in back version. This protruding Chinese dress has a Mao pass most often straight, sometimes crossed, is tight at the waist, and has short sleeves. Closed at the pass thanks to buttons, the dress is generally split on both sides. THE Qipao is generally in silk, but sometimes also in cotton or linen. This tight dress is one of the most popular Chinese clothes with Westerners, who consider it sexy and elegant.
Tangzhuang (唐装)
This traditional Chinese coat, called Tangzhuang, or sometimes Mandarin costume, is a set mixing the style of a male Manchu jacket, typical of the Qing dynasty, and a more Western costume. The Mao pass is generally straight with so -called Brandenburg closures. The colors used as well as the design are of traditional Chinese style, but the fabrics are more Western.
Mao costume (中山裝)
MAO traditional costumes, also called Zhongshan Zhuang or Yat-Sen costumes, were created by Doctor Sun Yat-Sen, combining a traditional Chinese style and a Western style, not only this time in the fabric used. Indeed, Western influence is felt especially in the very aesthetics of the costume. THE Mao costume To an officer collar and four pockets with flaps. As Mao Zedong himself carried it very frequently, the Zhongshan Zhuang has become for Westerners, the Mao costume. It constituted the basic wardrobe of men, during the People's Republic of China, between 1949 and the 1980s. Political leaders still carry them very frequently today, as traditional outfit, during celebrations or special events such as military parades.
Imperial dress (袞龍袍)
The Imperial Chinese dress, is also called LongPao or sometimes Dragon Dress due to dragons traditionally embroidered on it. It can only be carried by the emperor, from the Tang dynasty (618 - 907). The dragon has a strong imperial symbolism, representing power and wisdom, and could, just like the bright yellow color that the imperial dress generally is generally worn by the emperor. If like Chinese emperors you want to wear magnificent dragon clothing, you will find at our partner theDragon lair a magnificent shirt collection with the image of the dragons.
Traditional Chinese wedding dress
There traditional ceremonial dress varies widely depending on the different dynasties and regions. However, a red dress is generally preferred. Indeed, red, a real lucky charm for the future couple of bride and groom, symbolizes good fortune and luck in China. In northern China, at a traditional Chinese wedding, a red Qipao dress is traditionally strolled, embroidered with golden decorations. In the south, on the other hand, a Chinese woman will prefer to wear a long wedding dress in two pieces, which is called Quangua (裙褂). When they are adorned with golden dragons, peacock or Phoenix, they are called Longfeng Gua (龙凤褂).
