The 5 Most Popular Styles of Oriental Dress & Clothing - Asian Robe

What is the oriental dress, clothing?

Due to the differences in history, culture, and geographical location, the traditional costumes of different countries in the world are not the same. Even in Asia, the oriental dress clothing of different countries is also colorful.

On the continent of Asia, each country has its own unique and proud culture. Different states have different characteristics in their clothes, food, residence, and travel. And clothing is one of the things that can best record and show the cultural changes of a country.

There are many kinds of traditional asian clothing, including Hanfu, Qipao, Kimono, Hanbok, Sari, Ao Dai, Chut Thai, Tajik clothing, etc.

Today, let's learn about some of the most distinctive and representative traditional oriental dress, clothing.

 

1. Hanfu / Cheongsam

China has a long history and its traditional costumes are constantly changing. From the upper and the lower garments system of the Yellow Emperor era, to the crown and uniform system of the Han Dynasty, to the Zhongshan costume of the Republic of China, it is a miniature of China's social environment in different periods.

Hanfu:

Hanfu is the general designation of "Han traditional costume", also known as Hanyiguan (汉衣冠), Hanzhuang (汉装), and Huafu (华服). It does not refer to the costume of the Han Dynasty but refers to the traditional costume of Han nationality.

The traditional costume of the Han nationality can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty. After the development of the Qin Dynasty, it gradually reached maturity in the Han Dynasty. Other Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and other traditional costumes, are more or less influenced by Hanfu.

The basic characteristics of Hanfu are cross collar, Youren (neckline is Y-shaped), lace-up. Hanfu contains a whole set of clothing systems, including clothing, headwear, hairstyle, face decoration, shoes, accessories, etc.

In traditional China, the status of clothing is very important. In addition to the basic meaning of heating and aesthetics, the most important is the cultural and political meaning it represents.

Cheongsam / Qipao:

Among traditional Chinese costumes, cheongsam must be the most representative and influential.

Cheongsam, the traditional clothing of Chinese women in China and the world, is shaped by the continuous improvement of Western clothing styles absorbed by traditional Chinese robes.

With a high collar and close waist, the curve beauty of women can be displayed incisively and vividly.

Qipao was formed in the 1920s. Some scholars think that its source can be traced back to the Shenyi of pre-Qin and Han Dynasties. After the 1920s, it became the most common women's clothing.

After the 1980s, with the traditional culture gradually being valued, cheongsam once again returned to people's vision. Now it has become the diplomatic dress of Chinese women.

Since the 1990 Beijing Asian Games, cheongsam has been chosen as ceremonial clothing for the Olympic Games, Asian Games, international conferences, and expositions held in China.

2. Kimono

Kimono (きもの) is the national dress of Japan. There are many kinds of kimonos, not only men's and women's kimonos, unmarried, married, but also casual clothes and formal dress.

Kimono can be traced back to the third century A.D. (Nara era) when Japanese envoys were sent to China to receive a large number of Chinese style dresses. Kimono is the result of their improvement on the basis of Tang Dynasty costumes.

Kimono has changed in every era. The basic pattern of the Edo era has been determined. After the Meiji period, the kimono in today's sense has been finalized.

Men's kimono style less, more monotonous color, more dark, belt thin, easy to wear. Women's kimonos have various styles, gorgeous colors, and wide straps. Different kimono belts have different knots and different hairstyles. Kimonos are complicated and exquisite in wearing, and the color and style of kimonos are also different.

In Japan, when it comes to adult ceremonies, weddings and funerals, sacrifice rite, banquets, literary performances, and traditional festivals, the Japanese will wear dignified kimonos.

3. Hanbok

It is the integration of the Hanfu in the Tang Dynasty in China and the local costume of Korean nationality in the ancient kingdom of Xinluo on the Korean Peninsula.

After continuous "national localization" development, the outfit took shape in the reign of Wang's Gaoli Dynasty (918-1392). Finally formed in the Korean Dynasty.

The characteristics of hanbok are colorful and pocketless. Hanbok has three beauties: the curve of sleeves, the half lapel of white, and the shape of the skirt. The line has the beauty of the curve and straight line, which is very elegant. The loose cutting can also cover up the lack of body shape.

Nowadays, Hanbok has become a formal dress, which is only worn on formal and grand occasions.

 

4. Saree/Sari

Sari is a kind of traditional attire for women in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and other South Asian countries. It is made of silk, soft and thin.

Sari is usually wrapped around an ankle-length petticoat, from the waist to the heel in a straight skirt shape, and then the end hem is draped over the left shoulder or right shoulder. The top, known as Guli, is a low collar short sleeve corset designed according to the curve of the upper body, emphasizing the curve of women.

Sari is one of the longest and oldest clothes in the world. Sari is about 5 to 6 meters long. It should be matched with a top and a petticoat. In India, the sari is also a symbol of identity. Each region of India has its unique Sari style, different regional culture, embedded fabric, and weaving style are also very different.

Sari has the most beautiful feelings of women, full of mysterious beauty. Saris are mostly worn by married women, and also by young girls in major festivals or festive activities.

5. Ao Dai

Ao Dai is the national costume of Vietnam. Ao Dai usually uses soft fabrics such as silk. The top is a long gown, similar to Chinese cheongsam.

It is cut to fit very well, highlighting the exquisite and elegant curve of women. The two sides are high forked to the waist. When walking, the front and back skirts hem are flowing with the wind. Ao Dai is equipped with a white or the same color of wide-legged pants.

In the early 17th century, due to aesthetic needs and the restrictions of feudal etiquette, the earliest traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai style was relatively simple in style and color.

Now through many historical stages, Ao Dai's style and cloth have changed a lot. By the 21st century, Ao Dai's style has become more colorful, such as collar innovation, upper body and sleeves show the charm of women since tight design.

If the former Ao Dai is only the exclusive dress of the powerful, then in modern society, Ao Dai has become the dress commonly used by Vietnamese women of all classes and all ages in festivals and daily life. Ao Dai constantly established her position in the social life of Vietnam and became a representative of the cultural image of Vietnam in the eyes of international friends.

Distinctive oriental dress

Each country will have its own proud culture and clothes. And we will only list a small part of Oriental dress and Asian robe for you. We will find that: there are more or less some similarities between Eastern clothing, and each kind of clothing has its own characteristics.

The culture of clothes is broad and profound, and we will continue to bring you more introductions about clothes.