Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Traditional Female Costume in the Chinese History

Because of the long history, there were different kinds of Chinese traditional costumes that appeared in different periods in China. Today, I want to introduce three female traditional costume styles.

Han Chinese Costume
Han Chinese Costume played an important role in the Chinese history, it began in 2698 BC and ended in 1650s AD, which had existed for more than 4,000 years.

Due to its long history, Han Chinese Costumes have different styles on design. The common features are alternating collar, overlapping part and lacing. A Han Costume consists of underclothes, inner dress and pants, and robe.

The pictures below show different kinds of Han Costume for females. 


The three styles, especially the middle one, were for the females who had got married.



The four styles were popluar in girls who had not married yet.

Manchu Attire
Manchu attire is women's dress for Man nationality. Man is a minority in China. After Man controlled the whole nation after 1650s. Manchu attire boarded the stage.

The common features of Manchu attire are round collar, narrow cuff, rightward front, and slit skirt.

However, dressing Manchu attire is a symbol of high status in the Qing Dynasty, because such a kind of costume belongs to the upper class. Only dowagers could own it. 



The last empress in the Qing Dynasty—Empress Wanrong, who dressed in Manchu attire.

Cheongsam
Cheongsam originated in 1920s and was popular among Chinese females in 1930s. It was a female clothing style after 1920s.

The common features of cheongsam are stand-up collar, rightward front, narrow waist, and slit skirt.



The last emperor and empress—Emperor Puyi and Empress Wangrong. Wangrong dressed in cheongsam who looked elegant.


Cheongsam was popular during 1920s-1930s. Women dressed in cheongsam usually appeared in commercials.


A Chinese female who is in cheongsam always looks more attractive.

Cheongsam now has become a symbol of Chinese women. And the most Chinese females love to wear Cheongsam during their weddings.


Actually, there were more than three kinds of traditional costumes in Chinese history, they all played important roles, and each of them was related to the culture, economy and politics in their separated periods.
   

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