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Knowledge about Chinese Costume
Written commentary on the cultural significance of traditional Chinese costumes or Huafu （華服) has a history of more than 2500 years since Yixi Cixia(易系辭下).
Excavation at Han mausoleums is evidence of the beauty of Huafu’s artistry for its use of silk and embroidery. The workmanship of the ancient garments from social attires to military clothing is seen as delicate and sophisticated.
As Chinese people developed various styles of clothing from one dynasty to another, folks from the more dominant community of Han shared their fashion trends and characteristics with people across the country. This traditional culture of clothing, therefore, did not only influence Hanfu but also the folk costumes of many ethnic minority groups.
Traditional Chinese Clothing
Hanfu (漢服) refers to one of the most dominant styles of traditional Chinese clothing which has a history of more than 3 millennia. Hanfu embraced a very discrete set of dress code which used to indicate social, marital and religious status.
The dress codes varied in different occasions and ceremonies. For instance, Mianfu (冕服) was royal and Bianfu (弁服) ceremonial. While greeting the royalty, people wore Chaofu (朝服). At work, people wore (公服); and at home Changfu (常服).
The design of Hanfu is rich. Yuanduan (元端), an example of Bianfu (弁服) , was the most formal type of attire a male civilian would wear.
It consists of a black top robe that runs to the knees with long sleeves, a red bixi covering the lower part of the robe in the front, and white streamers called peishou (佩綬) hanging from the side.
Wearers may carry a long jade gui (圭) or wooden hu (笏) tablet while greeting the royalty. This form of dress was mostly used in sacrificial ceremonies such as Ji Tian (祭天) and Ji Zu (祭祖), etc..
Male Outfits
Male outfits go with various types of hat and headwear.
Jin (巾) is a kind of soft cap for informal occasions, however, guan (冠) is a type of hard and formal headdress.
For instance, officials may wear wusha (烏紗); and academics si-fang pingding jin (四方平定巾) and fangjin (方巾).
Female Outfit
Female outfits are equally elaborate. Quju Shenyi (曲裾深衣), an example of Changfu (常服), refers to a top long robe wrapping up the body diagonally from the waist down. Ruqun (襦裙) refers to a top youren garment with a separate skirt.
Weighted braid provided by a jade or gold pendant may be worn to enhance aesthetic value of the design. Females usually wore a large variety of hairpins as ornament.