Shanzi, which are single-layer garments, were a popular style during the Northern Song Dynasty. They could be short, reaching the waist, or long, reaching the knees. Generally speaking, we call single-layer garments shanzi and double-layer garments aozi, with not much difference beyond that. Nowadays, many Hanfu merchants sell shanzi and bzi together. Actually, the main difference between shanzi and bzi is that bzis are ankle-length, while shanzi can vary in length. Additionally, shanzi is typically worn as the first layer, while bzi is worn as the second layer over the shanzi.
Hanfu styles often worn by Hanfu enthusiasts include: quju, zhiju, gao Yao ruqun, ruqun, round-collar robes, bzi, Zhu Xi's deep clothing, xuanduan, etc. Quju was popular during the Qin and Han dynasties and basically disappeared by the Tang dynasty; by the Ming dynasty, it was considered “ancient attire.” Zhiju was popular during the Qin and Han dynasties and later developed into various styles, such as zhidi and zhishen. Japanese kimono greatly draws inspiration from this style. Ruqun, as women's attire, has been a basic style in almost every dynasty. Bzi, a popular fashion in the Song and Ming dynasties, saw large-sleeved bzis in the Song dynasty with embroidery along the seams, while small-sleeved bzis were popular in the Ming dynasty.
The embroidered flowers on the bzi appear lively and playful. The embroidery is light and delicate, with green patterns scattered across the bzi, exuding a youthful charm. Red embroidered flowers cluster on the bzi, elegant and dignified, yet still playful. Worn inside the bzi is a Song-style Hanfu, showcasing an elegant and dignified look. The vermilion-colored top is soft and charming, and fashionable high-end Hanfu always gives a sense of time travel. When women wear Song-style Hanfu, they exude a simple classical beauty.
This time, Hanfu Info will introduce several articles about Hanfu couple outfits. This time, we'll share some bzi styles, specifically bzi couple outfits. These outfits generally consist of long/short bzis + tank tops + Song pants/qiyaoskirt. Light bzis are perfect for summer wear, comfortable and cool, without feeling stuffy. With long sleeves and pants, you don't have to worry about getting sunburned. When worn by both ladies and gentlemen, these outfits definitely give off a fairy-like charm. Of course, there are also thicker bzis suitable for other seasons!
Bzi held a position similar to that of coats in our daily lives during the Song Dynasty. Song-style bzis mainly come in two lengths: long and short, which can be layered together. If you prefer a fresher style, you can wear a single long or short bzi. For example, in this outfit, a white-green Song-style Hanfu is paired with a light green short bzi. Short bzis tend to be looser and more vibrant when worn.
In the Song Dynasty, people's aesthetic preferences shifted from the opulence of the Tang Dynasty to a more refined and delicate style. Song-style Hanfu is the most aesthetically pleasing to modern tastes. Its main characteristic is wearing a bzi over Song pants, with a shirt and a bodice underneath. Most modern bzis and Song pants are modified versions. In the Song Dynasty, bzis were ankle-length, but today's bzis are mostly knee-length, which should actually be called shirts rather than bzis. Most Song pants are now drawstring pants, which are more convenient to wear. Song-style Hanfu exudes elegance and is very suitable for everyday wear, but historically, bzis were formal attire for women and not appropriate for all occasions.
Commonly worn Hanfu styles by Hanfu revivalists include: quju, zhiju, high-waisted ruqun, ruqun, round-collar robes, bzi, Zhu Xi's deep clothing, xuanduan, etc. Quju was popular during the Qin and Han dynasties, and basically disappeared by the Tang dynasty; by the Ming dynasty, it was considered “ancient attire.” Zhiju was popular during the Qin and Han dynasties and later developed into various styles, such as zhidi and zhishen. Japanese kimono greatly draws inspiration from this style. Ruqun, as women's attire, has been a basic style in almost every dynasty. Bzi was a popular fashion in the Song and Ming dynasties, with large-sleeved bzis in the Song dynasty having embroidery along the seams, while small-sleeved bzis were popular in the Ming dynasty. Xuanduan is a traditional Chinese-style tailcoat, a formal garment. High-waisted ruqun was a popular fashion among women in the Sui and Tang dynasties. The noblewomen's grand ceremonial robes worn at the same time are the progenitors of the ten-layered kimono in Japan. Moreover, the high-waisted ruqun style had a profound influence on Korean and Joseon clothing. Round-collar robes, since the Tang Dynasty, became a style primarily reserved for individuals of status and rank.
The most common Hanfu style in the Song Dynasty was undoubtedly the bzi. During the Song Dynasty, bzis were the usual attire for women, including noblewomen's casual wear. The upper garments included coats, ru, shirts, bzis, half-arms, etc., while the lower garments were skirts and pants. The styles of Song bzis were straight-fronted, narrow-sleeved, with trimmings on the collar, cuffs, and hem. The front parts were often left open, revealing the inner garments without buttons or ties. Regarding women's undergarments, besides the “moxiong” (close-fitting undergarment), there was also the “fushi.” Fushi is a waist and abdomen wrapping silk scarf, varying in complexity, with yellow being the most esteemed color, known as “waishanghuang.” The styles of Song Hanfu include outerwear such as shirts and coats. Single-layer garments are called shirts, while those with lining are called coats. Both long and short styles exist, with bzis being the most classic. Bzis are divided into men's and women's styles, with upper garments including coats, ru, shirts, bzis, and half-arms, and lower garments consisting of skirts.
Bzi is a type of traditional Hanfu attire of the Han nationality, mainly featuring a straight collar with a front opening, slits under the armpits, and a belt around the waist, extending below the knees. This style of ancient attire is relatively simple, although the cuffs and collar have decorative edgings, and the collar edging only reaches the chest, showcasing a subtle beauty. Capricorns, who are known for their quiet, introverted, mature, and serious nature, prefer a low-key, pragmatic, and grounded approach to life. They give off a very stable and simple vibe. Therefore, the ancient attire represented by Capricorns is the bzi, which, though understated, does not lack beauty.
Commonly worn Hanfu styles by Hanfu revivalists include: quju, zhiju, high-waisted ruqun, ruqun, round-collar robes, bzi, Zhu Xi's deep clothing, xuanduan, etc. Quju was popular during the Qin and Han dynasties and basically disappeared by the Tang dynasty; by the Ming dynasty, it was considered “ancient attire.” Zhiju was popular during the Qin and Han dynasties and later developed into various styles, such as zhidi and zhishen. Japanese kimono greatly draws inspiration from this style. Ruqun, as women's attire, has been a basic style in almost every dynasty. Bzi was a popular fashion in the Song and Ming dynasties, with large-sleeved bzis in the Song dynasty having embroidery along the seams, while small-sleeved bzis were popular in the Ming dynasty. Xuanduan is a traditional Chinese-style tailcoat, a formal garment. High-waisted ruqun was a popular fashion among women in the Sui and Tang dynasties. The noblewomen's grand ceremonial robes worn at the same time are the progenitors of the ten-layered kimono in Japan. Moreover, the high-waisted ruqun style had a profound influence on Korean and Joseon clothing. Round-collar robes, since the Tang Dynasty, became a style primarily reserved for individuals of status and rank. During the Ming Dynasty, the court attire of Korea's Joseon Dynasty was largely based on Ming Dynasty styles.