
These rules gradually extended to ways of dress, forming a standard for China’s next 3,000 years. During the twentieth century new modes of dress were created in an attempt to integrate both traditional Chinese and western cultural influences. There is no end to the variations to these ancient clothes in height, length and width and. He standardized clothing styles in his kingdom and extended the rules to nine other lords, thus uniting them. Women too wear a modified form of fashion from the Ching Dynasty. Seeing inner-strife threatening to tear the country apart, the Duke convinced other lords to fight against the barbarians instead of each other.

Close-fitting at the waist, it was always tied with a silk girdle.Wei and Jin dynasties (220-420AD)On the. However, it was somewhat different from that of the Warring States Period, in that it had an increased number of curves in the front and broadened lower hems. In another ancient reference, Confucius praises Duke Huan of Qi. Qin and Han Dynasty (221BCE-220AD)In the Qin and Han Dynasty, as of old, the one-piece garment remained the formal dress for women.

As a result, the country stayed (mostly) peaceful, and they governed without worries, their hands literally tucked away as they watched the years pass. Women wore tunics that reached the ground and men wore tunics that reached their knees. In The Book of Changes, or Yijing, a passage praises the three sovereigns-the Yellow Emperor, Yao, and Shun-for “ruling with their arms hanging in their sleeves.” These early rulers valued harmony between heaven and earth. Ancient Chinese fashion consisted mostly of loose-fitted robes. It embodied the virtues of Chinese antiquity, and contributed to the culture’s perception of self. The right clothes gave off an aura of refinement and dignity. In the Ming dynasty, Han traditional clothing was most common, while Manchu clothing dominated in. Hanfu was remarkably versatile and easy to wear.Īt the same time, traditional Chinese clothing was serious business. The clothes in Ming and Qing dynasties have great differences. High hats and wide belts are distinguishing marks of scholars and officials. Rather than using buttons or strings, most were kept in place by a sash belt. The clothing generally consists of loose gowns, wide sleeves, and flat, open collars folded over to the right.

In reality, though, traditional Chinese clothing has varied greatly from one dynasty to the next. And so just as the Chinese language (yu) is known as Han-yu, Chinese clothing (fu) is known as Han-fu. The Han people are by far China’s largest ethnic group.
