The Chinese modern clothing springs from traditional designs and customs. Today social occasions still see men dressed in a refined traditional long gown. Women too wear a modified form of fashion from the Ch’ing Dynasty. There is no end to the variations to these ancient clothes in height, length and width and ornamentation. Even the silk making, weaving and spinning techniques from the past have been developed with modernity and textile industries grown around them. Chinese modern clothing hence helps people not only in china but around the world enjoy traditional features and modern chic in clothing apparels.

The most influential of all ancient times is perhaps the Shang dynasty when silk weaving, spinning and making had been developed. The modern Chinese clothing is visually different yet deeply rooted and interwoven with history. Ancient Chinese art and clothing has and will remain to influence modern Chinese clothing majorly. Culturally, china is neither fully modern nor traditional; this is evident in their lifestyle, modern adaptations of ancient way of dressing and even through ancient art forms depicted as motifs on modern clothing. Despite the advent of western influences and the business suit and ‘jeans’ in the country, china and modern Chinese clothing remains deeply rooted in the country’s history and ancient religion and practices.

Distinctive and unusual designs from centuries gone by like the dragon and clouds embroideries used on robes meant for emperors are making a come back with modern Chinese clothing. These motifs and designs are beautiful and also symbolize ancient culture. The nine dragon and five cloud design was to bring good fortune to its wearer, and the design still holds it’s auspicious significance with modern china. The amalgamation of this modern and ancient apparel, trends and symbolism is attractive and earthy. The traditional macramé is broadly used in modern Chinese clothing for ornamental purposes. It is used on borders, shoulders, pockets, openings, bodices and seams. The modern bridal tiara is another successful combination of traditional and modern in its Sung dynasty design. Traditional pendants and Sash in traditional colors of red, green and blue embroidered in the Hunan province style is still in existence.

Ancient Chinese clothing favored darker colors and a fully developed system of matching, coordinating and contrasting colors and shades was used in apparels. Modern Chinese clothing has combined the ancient symbols of good fortune with the more modern fashion aesthetics in the Chinese modern clothing. A wide range of eye catchy designs for children and young people’s clothing is designed in modern china which includes lions, deities and masks of Chinese opera characters. Modern silhouettes are increasingly using designs and appliqué bronzes from the ancient clothing. Prints, weaves, embroideries, and motifs from the ancient culture merge with new age fabrics and styles to create modern Chinese clothing.

During the Sui Dynasty in the 500 AD, the emperor declared that only the rich people could wear colors while the poor people had to be dressed in blue or black. Later on this changed completely but the rule of being properly attired to show stability in a personality prevailed. It was a true case of clothes maketh the man.

Apart from the type of robes in the ancient Chinese clothing , the symbols denoted on them is an equally important indicator of the wearer’s social standing. Symbolism denotes social standing, moral messages, and also told historical and legendary stories.

The symbols on ancient Chinese robes indicate the status of the individual who had worn the garment. For example, the number of dragons on a robe indicates a higher or lower official of the imperial court.

There are some typical symbols that one will find on ancient Chinese clothing. The Sun, the Moon, and the Constellation, The Rock or the Mountain, The Fu, The Dragon, The Axe-head, The Flowery Creature, The Water Plant, The Sacrificial Vessel, The Flames, The Grain, Crane, Geometric Patterns, Bats, Butterfly and Water Motif. All these twelve imperial motifs signify various things. Only an emperor could wear robes with all twelve symbols. A higher official could wear clothes with a maximum of eight symbols.

The work was so spectacular that it is a good thing that these restrictions are no longer in force in today’s day and age.

Since the culture was quite rich, there was a distinctive language that developed. Though presently there are up to 12 regional groups of language, Chinese was the language that was spoken in ancient China right from the Han dynasty.

The people of ancient China believe in the mandate of heaven. They worshipped many different gods, including weather and sky gods along with a higher god who ruled all other gods known as Shang Ti. Chinese as a race, worship their ancestors believing that when these died, they became gods too.

Such was the prevailing situation in the ancient Chinese civilization. The effect was also seen on the ancient Chinese clothing of the common man. Correct attire was regarded as the ultimate expression of Chinese culture and identity, differentiating them from ‘inferior’ foreign neighbors while making social and gender distinctions within their society. The ancient Chinese clothing had specific cultural meaning, with properly attired bodies reflecting order and control and unadorned bodies and feet serving as visible signs of disorder and dangerous nonconformity with the individual risking association to barbarian outsiders.

China, a fast developing nation of today has a history dating over 5000 years. These 5000 years can be found in ancient scriptures. In fact, Ancient China was one of the most cosmopolitan civilizations. This is evident from the various components that make up its culture. A rich culture was depicted in the ancient Chinese clothing and dresses.

As a nation, it is more of a conglomerate of varied tribes over many years. According to history, China became unified under one large empire in 221 B C. The Chinese civilization was always an advanced one. Even in ancient times, the daily routine comprised of the livelihood tasks of pottery, baking and farming with silk making. In fact most of the ancient Chinese clothing for the elite was made of silk! Over the centuries these routine interests turned into the quest for science and philosophy.

The informal Chinese clothing would include tops and bottoms and one piece robes that wrapped once or more around the body. A typical set of Hanfu is two or three layered where the first layer is the undergarments or Zhongyi in white cotton or silk. The second layer is front closed clothing and an optional third layer can be the Zhao Shan or an overcoat. This attire could be made ‘semi-formal’ by adding to it a pleated skirt (Chang), a cloth panel added to the waist belt and a formal hat (Guan). Meeting a guest or going to meetings or a cultural day would encourage you to make it ‘semi-formal’.

Formal Chinese clothing is reserved for special occasions like an important sacrifice or other religious activities or by special people like Emperors and officials. This includes the Xuanduan, a dark robe equivalent to the western black tie and a priest’s full ceremonial dress called a Fusha. A lanshan was worn as an official or academical dress.

Japanese clothing is also distinguished by marital status and unmarried women wear brightly colored and richly patterned Kimonos with long sleeves. Some of these sleeves can even be as long as the women’s ankle! Girls, as young as 19, would begin wearing these vibrant Kimonos. With the increase in age or change in marital status, the sleeves of the kimono would continue to get shorter.

Hanfu or the Han dynasty clothing is the most widely known Chinese ancient clothing. Inseparable from silk and worn by the legendary yellow emperor, the Hanfu has a history of more than three millennia. Chinese ancient clothing consisted mainly of robes with pants for men and skirts for women under them. Modern Chinese clothing is a western and ancient combination of chic dressing and auspicious symbolism.

Japanese clothing is worn more to suit the seasons, these also differ with the wearers age, marital status or social standing. During springtime, bright and floral patterned Kimonos and clothes are worn; while in autumn, clothing resembles fall patterns. When it is winters, clothes with bamboo, pine tree or plum blossom pattern and design are worn which bring good luck and prosperity. Summers is the time to wear cotton clothes and winter clothing’s heavily lined and layered.

Informal Japanese clothing would include any clothing which features woven patterns or dyed clothing or repetitive patterns. The traditional cotton yukata or the summer Kimono, the woven cotton haori or the short silk jacket and dyed ikat kimono would be all informal clothing. These informal Japanese clothes would customarily only be worn as daily wear, to a bath house or for informal friend and family visits. Formal Japanese clothing is rather contrasting, either very elaborate or a simple elegant design is considered formal. The Uchikake or the wedding kimono and other kimonos with elegant designs, subdued colors or solid patterns would classify as formal Japanese clothing. These should be worn for paying formal visits, funerals and by married women for weddings and formal occasions.

No Chinese object is complete without a depiction of at least one of the four favourite plants – the bamboo, the Chinese plum, chrysanthemum and orchid. Of these, the bamboo is used in the most versatile manner. From tableware – chopsticks and utensils - to flutes to paintbrushes and even hair accessories.

Combs made of bamboo, ivory, jade and other materials further enhanced the ensemble of Ancient Chinese Clothing of women. Headgear in ancient times included hats for men and hairpieces for women. Traditionally, the Chinese wear their hats indoors as well as outdoors unlike their Western counterparts.

This is mainly because most hats are too impractical to take off and carry around.
Fashion of ancient China has constantly evolved through the various dynasties. For example, during the Sui Dynasty in the 500 AD, the emperor declared that only the rich people could wear colors while the poor people had to be dressed in blue or black.