This is clearly a matter of different levels, worlds apart. I think the reason why some people criticize others for wearing Hanfu incorrectly or inappropriately is due to this mindset and purpose. Some individuals wear it simply because they think it looks good, without ever learning about Hanfu or considering how it was worn in different dynasties. It's just a mishmash of styles with a “Hanfu appearance” (though we don't discuss the possibility of integrating the best features of Hanfu from various dynasties into new designs).
Xiyuan, a tourist attraction that has gained popularity due to Hanfu, is described as dominant. Why? Because if you don't wear Hanfu, even if you buy a ticket, you can't enter. But why do so many people still want to go there? The reason is simple: In Xiyuan, you can not only feel the rich Hanfu culture but also indulge in your passion for Hanfu. Since Hanfu is made of silk, it is very comfortable and beautiful to wear, which attracts many young people. For today's youth, spending 1000 yuan to enjoy themselves is not impossible, as they value spiritual enjoyment more than material things.
Now, because people haven't seen Hanfu for a long time, they often think it's impractical for daily life. What about summer and winter? Ha, this is self-inflicted trouble. We haven't worn Hanfu for too long, so we are not used to it and don't consider it our traditional attire, leading to discomfort and dissatisfaction! If we wear Western suits, there seems to be no such complaints. Why? Why can the Han people wear other ethnic costumes so naturally? Why do we find it awkward and unacceptable to wear our own traditional attire? This is a strange mindset!
I'm glad no one thinks I'm weird or stops their children from looking at me. Hahahaha, recently, I've occasionally seen sisters who wear Hanfu on the street being criticized by friends for looking unattractive and inappropriate. Some parents even say, “Why are you dressed like that if you're not performing?” Then these sisters go home feeling unhappy and even doubt themselves. I want to say that there's no need for this. More and more people will wear Hanfu on the street in the future because it really looks good and doesn't pick body types. Even international brands are borrowing its style. Why can't we Chinese wear it? Hanfu, as a single item, is very versatile and can be worn casually. Wearing Hanfu out is the greatest affirmation of our five-thousand-year-old culture!
I believe that those who truly love and study Hanfu would never dictate what kind of person should wear what clothes. Don't say that those who now follow the trend of Hanfu only like its beauty and have no cultural depth or intention to spread Hanfu culture. Do you dislike wearing beautiful clothes? If the same material, style, and brand are better, why not wear them? Can't afford them? Similarly, you can't force them to wear ancient commoners' clothes, but my counterpoint is the same as in the previous paragraph. There's no need to dwell on this unintentional issue. Most people who like Hanfu nowadays are young, and it's understandable that young people like beautiful things. Do you want them to be as dull as old antiques? Wouldn't that worry about the future of the country? From another perspective, they like Hanfu and traditional culture and spontaneously want to promote it, which is a manifestation of modern youth's social responsibility.
Of course! Hanfu is just like our regular clothing; as long as you like it, why can't you wear it? I wonder if you mean being overweight like me. I'm quite heavy, so let me share how I wear Hanfu. I don't wear high-waisted skirts, although they are very beautiful. However, they are really only suitable for slim girls. I feel that high-waisted skirts are not appropriate for anyone with a large bust because they make you look fat. My father once teased me when I wore a high-waisted skirt.
Hanfu is just a discarded costume, with limited styles, high costs, and inconvenience. Especially the sleeves of formal robes, which can fit a whole person, and the long lightning rod-like headwear, and the long trailing skirts. When going out, street cleaners would be out of a job, making it very unsuitable for production and warfare. That's why King Wuling of Zhao promoted Western Hu clothing instead of Eastern Hanfu. Since then, the clothing of all Chinese dynasties has carried characteristics of minority ethnic clothing, far from its original form. By the way, wearing Hanfu requires wearing open-crotch pants. Moreover, the Qing Dynasty did not completely ban Hanfu. The saying goes, “Live as you wish, die as you wish, old follows the young, men follow women.” Men were forbidden to wear Hanfu, but women could wear Hanfu and bind their feet.
Do you know the difference between Hanfu and ancient costumes? What you might be wearing could just be an ancient costume. An ancient costume is just a piece of clothing, while someone said, “Hanfu is a piece of clothing, but it is more than that; it represents a national spirit and national consciousness.” The biggest difference between ancient costumes and Hanfu is that ancient costumes were worn by ancients, and we can choose not to wear them. Hanfu, however, was worn by our ancestors, and we can still wear it. Why not? Of course, if you wear Hanfu because it looks good, that's fine too. Just be happy and don't…
When we encounter a beautiful girl, some people might say, “The style is wrong!” Others might say, “What fairy dress is she wearing? It's not Hanfu at all!” Even worse, people might criticize, “Why are you wearing modern glasses with Hanfu? Why don't you properly comb your hair?” When everyone thought such nitpicking was the limit, a recent incident has again refreshed everyone's view!
It looks bad because you haven't seen good-looking ones. Don't mistake studio costumes for Hanfu. Hanfu is a tradition passed down for thousands of years in Chinese Han culture. Have we forgotten our ancestors' heritage? Even if it's inconvenient to wear daily, we can wear it during festivals. Why can the traditional costumes of other 55 ethnic groups be accepted, but the most populous Han ethnic group's traditional costume is criticized? If you find Hanfu inconvenient, there are now various modified versions. Finally, studio costumes are not equal to Hanfu! They lack the basic structure. Please understand this before making such comments. Thank you.