Ancient China Clothing

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.

Filed under: Formal and Informal on October 23rd, 2008