The term “studio costume” refers to costumes commonly seen in scenic areas or photography studios used for “ancient style photography” or “ancient aesthetic photography”. It also includes various stage costumes and performance outfits. Studio costumes do not adhere to the standard form of traditional clothing; they merely imitate an “ancient aesthetic” in appearance. In the Hanfu movement, “studio costumes” also refer to various non-standard garments that are often sold and used as Hanfu by merchants and other individuals or groups. Many newcomers unfamiliar with Hanfu mistakenly buy and believe in these costumes, making it a topic that must be mentioned.
Ancient style costumes refer to any attire that imitates ancient styles or incorporates ancient elements. Generally, ancient style costumes tend to be of better quality than studio costumes. Most theatrical costumes undergo minor artistic modifications based on Hanfu for the needs of theatrical creation, or remain unchanged in style from Hanfu. Strictly speaking, Hanfu refers to all clothing styles before the Qing Dynasty, mainly focusing on the clothing of the Han people's settlements, with fixed styles and specifications. Studio costumes generally refer to costumes used for portrait photography, which are relatively poor in quality, use inferior materials, and have incorrect designs, significantly differing from Hanfu styles. Some studio costumes are also called ancient style costumes. Ancient style costumes refer to any attire that imitates ancient styles or incorporates ancient elements. Generally, ancient style costumes tend to be of better quality than studio costumes. Most theatrical costumes undergo minor artistic modifications based on Hanfu for the needs of theatrical creation, or remain unchanged in style from Hanfu. Strictly speaking, Hanfu refers to all clothing styles before the Qing Dynasty…
Another type of “Hanfu rental” is essentially an evolved version of those early studio costume rental shops, merely changing the store name from “Ancient Style Studio Rental” to “Hanfu Experience Hall”. The costumes are still studio costumes, targeting tourists or pure novices passing by who casually try them on for ancient style photos. These stores operate just as they did in the past, meeting some people's needs but cannot replace Hanfu sales. Such “Hanfu rentals” are actually less cost-effective than buying, but due to information asymmetry and temporary consumption, they can still operate.
Ancient style costumes refer to any attire that imitates ancient styles or incorporates ancient elements. Generally, ancient style costumes tend to be of better quality than studio costumes. Most theatrical costumes undergo minor artistic modifications based on Hanfu for the needs of theatrical creation, or remain unchanged in style from Hanfu. Strictly speaking, Hanfu refers to all clothing styles before the Qing Dynasty, mainly focusing on the clothing of the Han people's settlements, with fixed styles and specifications. Studio costumes generally refer to costumes used for portrait photography, which are relatively poor in quality, use inferior materials, and have incorrect designs, significantly differing from Hanfu styles. Some studio costumes are also called ancient style costumes.
The concept has always been vague, with many people equating them with studio costumes. Actually, ancient style costumes generally have two interpretations: one is clothes worn in ancient times but no longer popular, such as the U-neck Hanfu of the Tang Dynasty, which can be considered a revival. The second interpretation is the clothes of ancient people, such as the artifacts unearthed from Mawangdui, referred to as ancient style costumes. The influence of modern ancient style TV dramas has led many to confuse ancient style costumes with costumes used in TV dramas. However, ancient style costumes and theatrical costumes are not equivalent when discussing whether ancient style studio costumes are Hanfu. Studio costumes and theatrical costumes are special costumes with specific purposes, not daily wear or ceremonial attire, similar to religious garments like Haiqing, having their unique classifications… They can only be considered derivatives of Hanfu, belonging to a broader definition of Hanfu.
The concept has always been vague, with many people equating them with studio costumes. Actually, ancient style costumes generally have two interpretations: one is clothes worn in ancient times but no longer popular, such as the U-neck Hanfu of the Tang Dynasty, which can be considered a revival. The second interpretation is the clothes of ancient people, such as the artifacts unearthed from Mawangdui, referred to as ancient style costumes. The influence of modern ancient style TV dramas has led many to confuse ancient style costumes with costumes used in TV dramas. However, ancient style costumes and theatrical costumes are not equivalent when discussing whether ancient style studio costumes are Hanfu. Studio costumes and theatrical costumes are special costumes with specific purposes, not daily wear or ceremonial attire, similar to religious garments like Haiqing, having their unique classifications… They can only be considered derivatives of Hanfu, belonging to a broader definition of Hanfu.
Obviously, apart from the difference in wearing timelines, there is no clear distinction between “ancient style” Hanfu and modern Hanfu in the concept. This phase of defining Hanfu is essentially no different from “ancient style” Hanfu before the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. However, in practice, the criteria for determining whether something belongs to modern Hanfu are very clear, especially regarding “studio costumes” and theatrical costumes appearing in Hanfu activities. Netizens believe that “studio costumes and theatrical costumes are props used in theatrical performances, operas, etc., with significant differences from Hanfu in terms of fabric, cutting method, degree of exposure, and detail production.” Therefore, in formal Hanfu events, especially sacrificial ceremonies and festival rituals, it is inappropriate to wear studio costumes. The appropriate occasions for studio costumes and theatrical costumes should be limited to studio photography and stage performances, fundamentally different from Hanfu revival. Thus, although the conceptual distinctions between “studio costumes,” ancient style costumes, and Hanfu are not clear, netizens pay great attention to the appropriate occasions for wearing each in practice.
Studio costumes are short for “ancient style studio costumes” or “ancient aesthetic studio costumes,” which were commonly seen in scenic areas or photography studios for “ancient style photography” or “ancient aesthetic photography.” They also include various stage costumes and performance outfits. Studio costumes merely imitate an “ancient aesthetic” in appearance. Although they claim to be “ancient style,” they are actually unrelated to ancient clothing, generally derived from various ancient style TV drama costumes and ancient aesthetic garments. Many merchants labeled them as “Hanfu” for sale in the past, leading to the extended meaning of “studio costumes” as various non-standard garments claiming to be Hanfu. The concept overlaps significantly with the recent “fairy attire.” Many newcomers unfamiliar with Hanfu mistakenly buy and believe in these costumes, making it a topic that must be mentioned.
First, let's look at the differences between ancient style costumes in TV dramas, studio costumes, and Hanfu we purchase online. As the name suggests, ancient style costumes are the clothes worn by ancient people. However, different dynasties had different designs, not necessarily all being Hanfu. We can say that ancient style costumes include Hanfu, but they cannot be directly called Hanfu. Studio costumes are mostly designed for photographic effects, so they are imitations of various garments, but they cannot be considered prototypes. They are usually designed to be more photogenic. Hanfu was the everyday clothing worn by ancient people, making it more casual. Therefore, studio costumes cannot be considered Hanfu. What is Hanfu? Literally, it means traditional Han Chinese attire, the specific clothing of our nation at that time.
With the resurgence of Hanfu, more and more merchants have begun to focus on Hanfu, designing various styles. On Taobao, searching for Hanfu shows many merchants writing “ancient style Hanfu” or “ancient style studio costumes,” leading many to mistakenly believe that studio costumes are Hanfu and that ancient style costumes in TV dramas are Hanfu. However, Hanfu has its own form and characteristics. Many merchants misunderstand Hanfu, thinking that ancient style costumes are Hanfu. The main characteristic of Hanfu is the right-over-left overlap. On Taobao, famous Hanfu merchants like Return to Han Dynasty, Doucheng Nan Zhuang, and Zhong Ling Ji truly make Hanfu from form to design.