History of Chinese Clothing

The history of Chinese dress is as varied and rich as the region, the culture and the people. Very similar to Japanese clothing, traditional Chinese clothing is referred to as “hanfu” and clothing style was dependent upon your social status. Styles changed with each dynasty although some still practice tradition.

The status of Chinese was evident in every aspect of their appearance from the head to the toe.  Top ranking military officials wore elaborate knotted hats, there were 9 different knots and each denoted a different military and social standing.  Well to do men wore leather shoes, and sometimes even wore the leather on the inside of brightly colored silk shoes.  Common men wore black cotton shoes.

Women’s’ shoes were far more elaborate with bright colored silk and embellishments tied to their bound feet, these were “lotus shoes”.

With the rise of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), clothing styles changed.  The Manchu clothing styles were required to be wore by all noblemen and officials and this eventually trickled down to the masses.  Men wore the “changshan”, a long sheath type tunic, and women wore the “qipao”, a form fitting dress similar in style.

Beginning in 1912, men started switching to a tunic coat and trousers outfit that retains popularity today for weddings and formal occasions. This has become known as the “Mao suit” in the west. Women still wore the qipao, but the traditional version has been replaced with the “cheongsam”, a Westernized version that is tighter and has a high slit on the leg. Western style dress has become popular in the cities but some rural Chinese still dress hanfu style.