Ancient Chinese Clothing As with many traditions of the Chinese one of the most interesting is the clothes they wear. There have been many different styles of clothes that they have worn. The Chinese clothing can be described as different pieces of cloth draped over ones body. The prices of the clothing ranged from cheap to expensive. This is an image of a style of clothing known as the ch i'-p 'ao it is still popular in the modern world. During the Sui Dynasty, in the 500's AD, the emperor decided that all poor people had to wear blue or black clothes, and only rich people could wear brighter colors such as gold. Emperor wore gold colored clothes, this symbolized wealth and power. In early China, poor people made their clothes of hemp or ramie while only the rich wore silk. A Hanfu or "silk robe" was made famous by the Han dynasty rulers, however this later became the traditional clothing.

Traditional Chinese Clothing The way clothing in China looks has changed dramatically from each Dynasty, some have come and gone, but some clothing has stayed, the people in China today still wear them. For example, the Mao-Style suit. Mao- style suits are simple button-downed suits and pants. They were first introduced by Mao Zedong to the army for its tough and warm fabric. The Mao-style suits later became popular for regular Chinese people and were especially useful for the poor since Mao-style suits were not expensive. Children even began wearing them, and they still remain today for us to wear. Clothes now often have meaning to it. You might see dragon print, clouds, phoenixes, and lightning graphics appear on clothing. Today, red and gold clothing symbolize happiness and good fortune, and white symbolizes wealth.

Clothing ColorClothing Color During the Sui Dynasty, in the 500's AD, the emperor decided that all poor people had to wear blue or black clothes, and only rich people could wear bright colors. (Carr)The Emperor wore gold colored clothes as this symbolized wealth and power In early China, poor people made their clothes of hemp or ramie. Soon everyone liked cotton better than ramie or hemp. Cotton was warmer, and softer, and stronger, and cheaper. You could make it thin for summer, or you could make thick padded clothes out of it that were warm for winter. Rich people wore silk.

Clothing Designs Clothes now often have meaning to it. The clothing might feature dragon print, clouds, phoenixes, and lightning graphics appear on clothing. Today, red and gold clothing symbolize happiness and good fortune, and white symbolizes wealth

Hairstyles and Hairpins In ancient China, when a girl was unmarried, her hair would be worn long and it would always be braided. When the women got married though they wore their hair differently. The women wore their hair short and in a tight knot at the top. Now Chinese woman can wear their hair as they want, and most of them dye their hair different strands of colors. During the Manchu regimen, men had their hair long and they would never cut it because it was disrespectful. They said this was disrespectful because you got your hair from your parents so it should never be cut. Also around this time men wore their hair in pony tails and would shave the top of their forehead. This was worn by the men in Manchus from Manchuria and was called the Chinese Queue. In the 1910's the men did not have to wear this hairstyle anymore, but some still wore them as tradition. During the Chinese Empire time, Chinese women wore one point hairpins and combs such as this one in their hair bun.

Chinese Accessories Women sometimes carried a sun umbrella or fan for a look of grace. Women often wore many accessories. These included things such as macramés, belts, hair ornaments, and necklaces.

We Are All Alike The Chinese, like us, all have their own perception of beauty. Here in America, we put clips and headbands in our hair and the Chinese wear hairpins and combs. We wear dresses and they wear Hanfu. We are very alike, and it is important to study not only our perception of beauty, but others’ perceptions as well.