What is Chinese Hanfu ?
The hanfu (汉服) is a traditional Chinese outfit. It is an outfit similar to a tunic or dress, but made up of several garments. This traditional costume is often confused with the kimono and Qiapo by Westerners. The term hanfu means "clothes of the Hans", in relation to the ethnic group originating from China which democratized it.
Hanfu: An Almost Complete Chinese Outfit
The hanfu distinguishes itself from other clothes with its characteristic shape. It assembles several pieces and layers of fabric to form an entire traditional Chinese costume. It offers almost everything you need to dress from head to toe. Typical garments that appeared during the Shang Dynasty consist of the following:
- The Yī or 衣: This is the top, it is a tunic that covers the bust with long sleeves tightened at the wrists. The jacket has a cross collar (交領, jiāolǐng) and closes with a flap of fabric on the side (右衽, yòurèn).
- The Chang or 裳: this is the bottom, a narrow maxi skirt that stops at the ankles.
- The Bixi or 蔽膝 in Chinese: this is a kind of romper, a piece of fabric reaching the knees and worn under the rest.
In addition to all this, the hanfu has a strip of fabric, a large ribbon that acts as a belt. It is tied around the waist or around the bust to maintain the whole. This is for the traditional Chinese costume. Over the years it has evolved: textiles and length, some are reserved for festivities and special occasions, but let's see it in more detail.
From Ancien China to Today's Hanfu
Today's hanfu offer many variations while respecting the customs of their ancestors. They are often colorful, with bright or lighter shades. White shirt and turquoise change, golden blouse and long brown dress, blue, red, green, the panel is almost infinite. On the side of the cut the hanfu also offers a wide choice, but it remains loose and fluid.
Some are composed of two pieces, and others of three or more. The petticoat or rather the long dress can be provided with straps, a dress that is worn a bit like an apron. Some have a train, more or less important. The hanfu has long sleeves or flared sleeves in general, but more rarely it is possible to find models with short sleeves or without sleeves. It can be provided with a bodice with ribbons, a cape or sold with a shawl for example. As far as ornaments are concerned, the Chinese hanfu can rely on prints and embroidery.
Plum tree flowers, embroidered dragons, calligraphy, Chinese symbol or Mandarin character... the motif is always exotic and oriental. It takes care to bring out the Asian elegance and immediately evokes us the country of the Forbidden City.
Cotton, Silk, Linen: An Authentic Confection
Delicate and folkloric, the Hanfu also leaves the choice of material. The traditional garment worthy of haute couture is made with a noble fabric like silk, linen or cotton. These fabrics are sometimes combined with synthetic fibers such as polyester, viscose or spandex to give the suit some elasticity and added strength.
Either way, hanfu always provides an ultra-fluid texture, a wispy, breathable, fluttering and floating fabric, with it it's comfortable and casual wear guaranteed! Moreover, our collection of hanfu gathers exceptional specimens. They are all chosen for their quality and splendor. Each piece is hand-sewn with the know-how of Chinese craftsmanship.
The sourcing is done by teams of top designers, pattern makers, seamstresses and costume makers. All the clothes we offer are authentic and are directly imported from China.
Hanfu : Symbol of China and Clothing for Special Occasions
Before conquering all the countries of the world, the hanfu has occupied and still occupies a great place in the Chinese culture. Although it can be worn on a daily basis, it is the most important garment for the most important celebrations and ceremonies in China. It is worn by dancers during folkloric shows. Carnivals, Chinese New Year, Moon Festival, Double Nine Festival, Lantern Festival... in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, it is omnipresent in the brooms and parades that attract tourists from all over the world.
Hanfu is also worn at weddings, where young girls and married women wear it in red. For these special occasions and festivities where hanfu is worn, the appearance must be perfect. The hair has to be styled and decorated with brooches, ribbons or even chopsticks. Next to that, fans bring their exotic touches, while shawls and scarves accompany the movements of a folkloric dance. Finally, the jewelry sets complete the oriental look. Gold, jade, mother-of-pearl beads, lapis lazulli... the materials are carefully selected and always very refined.
The Folk Costume that Inspired Asia
Hanfu is not the only Chinese classic. Like the Arab world with the caftan or the djellaba, China has many traditional dresses. There is the qipao dress, a very elegant traditional dress, very refined and perfect as an evening dress. There is also the Tangzhuang, a mandarin suit or rather a jacket for men with a mao collar and Brandenburg buttons.
The Hanfu, like the Indian sari, has inspired other traditional Asian fashion pieces over the years. One thinks of the kosode, the first name of the Japanese kimono, the Mongolian deel, the Korean hanbok and the "Ao Dai", the traditional Vietnamese dress.
After all, given the beauty and charm of the hanfu, why deprive yourself of it? If you want to complete your hanfu wonderfully, our collection of Chinese jacket for women should interest you. You will find a wide range available by clicking directly on the link.
Hanfu : Origin and History
The hanfu is a room full of history. It has served different tribes, it has been there for thousands of years, it is a bit like the great wall of China, but for the wardrobe. We're going to take a closer look at it, from its birth, to its democratization, passing through the greatest dynasties. Ready to go? Let's go for a little trip in ancient China.
The Bird of the Costume
According to historians' estimates, the Hanfu has about 3500 years of existence. It would have been invented by the Yellow Emperor, whereas his wife, the empress Leizu, discovered the breeding of the silkworm in the same time. Two innovations linked and inseparable from each other to offer an elegant and sophisticated outfit. All this in a luxurious fabric, velvety, chic and light at the same time.
Popularity from the Hans
A little later, the heir of the ancient Huaxia ethnic group became Han dynasty around 206 BC democratizes it for good. The Han people who constitute the majority of the Chinese people export it from province to province. Thanks to that, Hanfu conquered almost all the People's Republic of China, or imperial China to be exact. It then served as an example for other Asian countries and various civilizations.
Through the Dynasties
In between, around 1045 and 771 BC, during the reign of the Western Zhou dynasty on the Hao side, fashion codes change, clothing style and appearance become paramount. At that time, the Hanfu was mainly worn by the imperial class, the bourgeoisie and the emperors. It shows a certain social status. The more important the person is, the more the costume is decorated: embroidery, happiness knot, panchang, sapèque. Around 770 B.C. under the Eastern Zhou dynasty on the Luoyi side, the "shenyi" made its appearance.
The "shenyi" which is literally translated by "wrapping the body deeply in the clothes" takes the features of the traditional hanfu. It gathers the jacket and the bottom in one piece to form a deep, loose dress, similar to a Japanese kimono. Its upper part is woven with four sections of fabric equivalent to the four seasons. The lower part is divided into twelve textile segments corresponding to the various months of the year. A modernized version, but just as elegant. The hanfu has been constantly modified over the centuries.
Depending on the period, the emperor or the culture, some elements appeared, others disappeared and then returned. Despite these differences, Hanfu has always remained a strong symbol in China where it represents the pure Mandarin spirit. Since its birth and popularization by the Hans, it has been adored and worn by other ethnic groups and under all dynasties: Yuan, Qin, Ming Dynasty, Shang Dynasty, Liao and many more.
Finally under the Qing dynasty founded by the Manchu around 1640, the Hanfu became a subject of discord and its wearing was formally forbidden until 1914. A period during which it will be replaced by the qipao for the women, the mat for the men and by which we will close this piece of history of China.