Chinese ancient clothing culture has a long history, which has left a precious heritage for the world. Han clothing was shaped in the Zhou Dynasty and inherited in the Qin Dynasty. Hanfu, with a long cultural history in China, is worthy of the quintessence of the country.
Hanfu is not only a kind of life aesthetics but also the continuation of the lifestyle of countless Chinese people.
Primitive Society Period
The costumes of primitive society showed obvious cultural characteristics of worshipping heaven and earth and formed a more typical clothing style of cross collar, right lapel, lace-up, upper garment, and lower garment.
Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties
The clothing of Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties has the distinct characteristics of the combination of practicality and aesthetics and also has distinct characteristics of hierarchy.
It has made detailed provisions on the crown dress system of nobles and common people, and the rulers show their dignity by strict grade clothing.
Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period
During the spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States period, each state had its own affairs and different cultural customs, which led to different regional and national costumes with their own characteristics.
Moreover, in period clothing materials became more and more refined. There appeared a kind of straight tube style long clothes named “Shenyi”. It has laid a foundation for the formation of the basic styles of Hanfu.
Qin and Han Dynasties
The types and styles of clothing in the Qin Dynasty were more abundant. The costume of the Qin Dynasty maintained the basic form of “Shenyi”.
In the Han Dynasty, the women's clothing began to appear “Quju”, which wrapped the whole body and circled around. It was luxurious and exquisite on the whole, which was pleasing to the eyes.
Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties
By the time of Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, Hanfu began to change under the influence of Hufu. With the elements of narrow sleeves, short clothes, and long boots, it is more conducive to sports and horse riding and archery.
Tang Dynasty
The dress style of the Tang Dynasty also changed from light to gorgeous, and it was more open. No matter official or civilian clothes, men's and women's clothes fully reflected the distinctive characteristics of the times and strong nationality and openness.
Ru skirt was the main dress style of women in the Tang Dynasty. Qixiong Ruqun is divided into Jiaoling Ruqun and Duijin Ruqun. Women often wear short Ru or shirt on top, long skirt under, silk, and half arm traditional Han costume.
Song Dynasty
In the Song Dynasty, Neo Confucianism prevailed. Under the moral bondage of “preserving the natural principles and destroying human desires”, people abandoned the luxurious and flashy style and began to advocate frugality and elegance.
At the same time, Beizi became a popular dress for women, and song pants with it appeared. Bijia also appeared at this time. It gradually became a kind of daily dress for later women.
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty attached great importance to dress etiquette, and its shape had its own characteristics. Pipa sleeves, horse face skirt, long coat son, short coat son, both men and women were of the great bearing.
The Ming Dynasty attached great importance to dress etiquette, and its shape had its own characteristics. Pipa sleeves, horse face skirt, long coat son, short coat son, both men and women were of the great bearing.
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty is the most changed Dynasty in the history of Chinese clothing. The Qing Dynasty is an era of Manchu and Han culture blending, especially clothing culture.
People in the Qing Dynasty often wore long robes, short coats, and Mandarin coats. Manchu men usually wear waistbands and waistcoats or Mandarin coats on top of their robes. Manchu women like to wear cheongsam and vests.
The Republic of China Era
Men's regular dress is Chinese style long gown, mandarin jacket, and Western top hat, and the most influential women's dress is the “Qipao”, which enjoys the reputation of national costume.
Hanfu, with a long history, contains considerable cultural connotations. Influenced by the philosophic thoughts of Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism, and Legalism, Hanfu has shaped the elegant and freestyle of harmony between man and nature.