Why Do Wear Chinese HanFu: Unveiling the How – To’s of Each Dynasty’s Styles

Introduction

HanFu, like, it’s this totally rad part of Chinese traditional culture. From the time of the Yellow Emperor to the mid – 17th century, it’s been evolving over this super long stretch of history. It’s got all these different vibes from each dynasty, and in this article, we’re gonna dig into how HanFu changed and, of course, How to wear Chinese HanFu. And we’ll also be chatting a lot about Why do wear Chinese HanFu. So, let’s get started!

The Ancient Times: HanFu’s Humble Beginnings

Archaeologists have found all these cool things from the late Neolithic Age that show our ancestors were already wearing simple clothes way back then. By the time of the Yellow Emperor, people were making clothes, and the clothing system was starting to form. HanFu was getting its basic look. Back then, it was probably all about keeping warm and covered. We’re not exactly sure how they wore it, but maybe they just wrapped animal skins, leaves, or rough cloth around them and tied it up somehow. It’s like, why do wear Chinese HanFu from this time? Well, it was all about survival and starting to show some style. And if we think about How to wear Chinese HanFu from that era, it was probably real basic.

The Xia Dynasty: Laying the Foundation of the Clothing System

The Xia Dynasty was the first hereditary dynasty in Chinese history books. They started building up this clothing system, which had a big impact on HanFu later on. The HanFu in the Xia Dynasty was maybe more put – together than in ancient times. When they wore it, they might have cared about making it look even and neat, using a simple belt or rope to keep the clothes in place. This way, they could move around easily. There aren’t a ton of details about exactly How to wear Chinese HanFu in the Xia Dynasty, but we can guess that the clothing system they started set the stage for what was to come. Different people, like those with more power or status, might have had differences in the material, color, or decorations of their clothes. And this makes you think, why do wear Chinese HanFu like this? It was all about showing who you were in society.

The Shang Dynasty: The Development of the Clothing System

Building on what the Xia Dynasty started, the Shang Dynasty made the clothing system even better. From the stuff that’s been dug up, we can see that the clothes had more styles and patterns. The cutting and sewing of the HanFu were probably more detailed. When people put on their clothes, they paid more attention to showing off those patterns to show their status. For example, rich people might have had really fancy, complicated designs on their clothes. You had to make sure those patterns were all nice and visible when you wore it. Also, the collars and cuffs of the clothes might have had some special decorations. You had to be careful to show off those details when putting it on. This all makes you wonder, why do wear Chinese HanFu with all these fancy patterns? It was a way to show you were important. And How to wear Chinese HanFu in the Shang Dynasty was all about making these details stand out.

The Zhou Dynasty: A Big Step in HanFu Development

The Zhou Dynasty was a super important time for HanFu. They made the clothing system part of this whole “ritual governance” thing. It was like a way to show respect and follow the rules. The Shenyi was the star of the show, showing how serious and elegant the clothes could be.

How to wear Chinese HanFu – The Shenyi in the Zhou Dynasty

1. Getting Ready：Lay the Shenyi out nice and flat. Check that all the ties and stuff are there and not broken.
2. Putting on the Top Part：Throw the Shenyi over your body so you’re in the middle. Slide your arms through the sleeves. Make sure the front of the collar crosses right in the middle of your body.
3. Wrapping the Front Part：Take the right – hand side of the front part and wrap it around your body, going from the front to the left – back. Make sure it hugs your body.
4. Securing the Front：Then take the left – hand side of the front part and wrap it from the front to the right – back, crossing it over the right – hand side in the front. Use the tie around your waist to hold it in place. Tie it tight enough, but don’t make it too uncomfortable. Keep the clothes looking smooth and flowing. This shows how awesome the Shenyi is and how much the Zhou people cared about their rules. And this is How to wear Chinese HanFu – Shenyi style in the Zhou Dynasty. It makes you think, why do wear Chinese HanFu like this? It was all about following the rules and looking proper.

The Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods: A Style Revolution

During this time, all the states were fighting and there was a lot of cultural mixing. HanFu’s style changed, and new styles and decorations popped up. People probably wanted to show off their own style and where they were from. HanFu in different states might have looked really different. They used special accessories to show how cool they were. Like, some places might have had really nice embroidery on the edges of the clothes. When you wore it, you had to make sure that embroidery was showing. Other places might have liked wearing special jade pendants or hair accessories. You had to make sure they matched the clothes. This makes you wonder, why do wear Chinese HanFu with all these different styles? It was about being unique. And How to wear Chinese HanFu during this time was all about making these unique details stand out.

The Qin Dynasty: Pushing for Standardization

After the Qin Dynasty unified China, they made all these rules, including for clothes. This helped make HanFu more standardized. Qin – Dynasty HanFu was all about looking neat and the same, showing how powerful the unified empire was.

How to wear Chinese HanFu in the Qin Dynasty

1. For Officials：Officials had to follow really strict rules about what they wore. Everything from the hat to the color and patterns on the clothes was set. For example, high – level officials might wear a black robe with dragon or cloud patterns that showed their power. When they put it on, the hat had to be straight, the patterns on the clothes had to be clear, and the belt had to be tied just right. No mistakes allowed!
2. For Regular People：Regular people’s HanFu was simpler, with plain colors. They cared more about being able to do their daily work in it. The clothes were probably cut to fit their bodies better so they could move around easily. This makes you think, why do wear Chinese HanFu like this in the Qin Dynasty? It was about showing the order of the empire. And How to wear Chinese HanFu as a regular person was all about being practical.

The Han Dynasty: HanFu’s Peak

The Han Dynasty was like the best time for HanFu. The clothing system got even more complete, and there were all these cool styles like Quju, Zhiju, and Duijin. They even made the underwear better.

How to wear Chinese HanFu – The Quju in the Han Dynasty

1. Putting on the Undershirt：First, put on a clean undershirt so you feel comfortable.
2. Laying Out the Quju：Lay the Quju Shenyi in front of you and smooth out any wrinkles.
3. Putting it on：Put the Quju over your head and slide your arms through the sleeves.
4. Securing the Skirt：Wrap the skirt around your waist. Find the middle tie and fix it in the front first.
5. Wrapping the Rest of the Skirt：Then wrap the rest of the skirt around your body and tie it tight again. This makes the skirt flow in a really nice curve, making you look super elegant. And this is How to wear Chinese HanFu – Quju style in the Han Dynasty. It makes you ask, why do wear Chinese HanFu like this? It was all about looking your best and showing off Han Dynasty style.

How to wear Chinese HanFu – The Zhiju in the Han Dynasty

1. Putting on the Top：Put on the top part of the Zhiju. Make sure the collar overlaps naturally.
2. Tying the Belt：Use a belt to tie around your waist. The belt should be in the right place, not too high or too low. When you tie the belt, smooth out the wrinkles of the top to make it look nice and tidy.
3. Adjusting the Hem：Make sure the hem of the Zhiju is flat so it doesn’t drag on the floor or get in the way when you walk. This shows how cool and put – together you are. And this is How to wear Chinese HanFu – Zhiju style. You might wonder, why do wear Chinese HanFu like this? It was about looking proper and being able to move around easily.

How to wear Chinese HanFu – The Duijin Style

1. Putting on the Clothes：Just put on the Duijin – style HanFu and slide your arms through the sleeves.
2. Fixing the Collar and Cuffs：The Duijin style is all about the collar and cuffs. After putting it on, make sure the edges of the collar and cuffs are nice and flat. You can add some cool accessories like jade pendants or silk threads to make it look even better, depending on what you like. And this is How to wear Chinese HanFu – Duijin style. It makes you think, why do wear Chinese HanFu with these accessories? It was about adding your own touch.

The Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties: The Influence of Ethnic Integration

During this time, different ethnic groups were coming together, and it really changed HanFu. Styles like turned – up collars, front – opening, and pipa – shaped sleeves became popular. The clothes also got shorter, which was better for riding horses and fighting.

How to wear Chinese HanFu during the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties

1. Wearing the Turned – up Collar Style：When you wear the turned – up collar HanFu, make sure the turned – up part of the collar is nice and flat. You can adjust the angle and shape of the collar to your liking and the design of the clothes. This shows your unique style.
2. The Pipa – shaped Sleeve Tips：The pipa – shaped sleeves should fall naturally. When you wear it, don’t make the sleeves too tight. They should look loose and flowy. When you move, the big sleeves will swing around, making you look really cool.
3. The Whole Outfit Match：Since the clothes got shorter, you have to match them with the bottom part well. You can wear tighter pants, which are better for horse – riding. You can also add some accessories in the Hu ethnic style, like leather boots and belts. This shows the cool mix of different styles. And this is How to wear Chinese HanFu during this time. It makes you think, why do wear Chinese HanFu with these new styles? It was about adapting to new ways of life.

The Tang Dynasty: The Fashion of a Prosperous Era

The Tang Dynasty was one of the most prosperous times in Chinese history. HanFu reached a new high. They cared a lot about looking good and being comfortable. It showed how open and inclusive the Tang Dynasty was. Women had all these great styles like the Qixiong Ruqun.

How to wear Chinese HanFu – The Qixiong Ruqun in the Tang Dynasty

1. Putting on the Ru Shirt：First, put on the Ru shirt. Smooth out the collar and cuffs. The Ru shirt usually reaches around the waist.
2. Putting on the Skirt：Put the skirt on and pull it up from the waist to just above the chest.
3. Tying the Skirt Belt：Cross the skirt belt in front of your chest, then wrap it around to the back and tie it tight. Make sure it’s not too loose or too tight.
4. Fixing the Skirt Hem：Come back to the front and smooth out the skirt hem so it falls in a nice line. You can tie the skirt belt into a cute bow in the front if you want. This makes you look really graceful and shows the awesomeness of Tang – Dynasty style. And this is How to wear Chinese HanFu – Qixiong Ruqun style. You might ask, why do wear Chinese HanFu like this in the Tang Dynasty? It was all about looking beautiful and showing off the good life.

The Song Dynasty: Style Influenced by Culture

The Song Dynasty had a lot of culture going on. The idea of Neo – Confucianism was big, and people liked to be more low – key and modest. HanFu had this “scholarly vibe,” with more detailed decorations and a more reserved style.

How to wear Chinese HanFu – Men’s Long Robe in the Song Dynasty

1. Putting on the Robe：Put on the long robe and smooth out the wrinkles so it looks nice and straight. The robe usually reaches around the ankles. When you walk, keep the hem of the robe flat so it doesn’t drag or get tangled.
2. Matching the Hat and Belt：Wear a matching hat, like a Futou. Make sure it’s on straight. The belt is also important. It should match the color and style of the robe. Tie the belt in the right place to show how smart and reserved you are. And this is How to wear Chinese HanFu – men’s long – robe style in the Song Dynasty. It makes you think, why do wear Chinese HanFu like this? It was about showing your cultural taste.

How to wear Chinese HanFu – Women’s Clothing in the Song Dynasty

1. Wearing the Top and Skirt：Women’s clothes in the Song Dynasty usually had a top and a skirt. The top was cut and decorated really carefully. When you wear it, pay attention to showing off the details like the collar, cuffs, etc. The skirt had different styles. Make sure to smooth out the skirt so the hem can drag a little bit to show that gentle feeling.
2. Accessory Matching：You can add some cute accessories like sachets and jade pendants. Hang the sachet around your waist and wear the jade pendant where it can be seen. This makes you look really gentle and shows the style of Song – Dynasty women. And this is How to wear Chinese HanFu – women’s style in the Song Dynasty. It makes you wonder, why do wear Chinese HanFu with these accessories? It was about adding that extra touch of elegance.

The Yuan Dynasty: The Continuation and Change of HanFu

During the Yuan Dynasty, HanFu didn’t have as much room to develop, but people still kept some of the Song – Dynasty styles.

How to wear Chinese HanFu in the Yuan Dynasty

1. Following the Old Style：People in the Yuan Dynasty mostly followed the Song – Dynasty style, but there were some small changes. Maybe the colors weren’t as bright as in the Song Dynasty, and the accessories were a bit different. But they still wore it in a similar way, trying to keep the basic look of HanFu.
2. Adapting to Life：To fit the way people lived in the Yuan Dynasty, there were some small changes to the HanFu. For example, the cuffs of the clothes might be a bit tighter so it was easier to work. When you wore it, you had to pay attention to these changes to be comfortable and practical. And this is How to wear Chinese HanFu in the Yuan Dynasty. It makes you think, why do wear Chinese HanFu like this? It was about keeping the tradition while adapting to new times.

The Ming Dynasty: HanFu’s Golden Age

The Ming Dynasty was like the best time for HanFu. The styles were more set in stone, and you could really tell the difference between men’s and women’s clothes. There were all these cool styles like the Feiyu Fu and Qilin Fu.

How to wear Chinese HanFu – The Feiyu Fu in the Ming Dynasty

1. Putting on the Main Clothing：The Feiyu Fu was usually for officials or special people. First, put on the Feiyu Fu and make sure the shape of the clothes is nice and straight. The patterns on the Feiyu Fu are really cool, so make sure they’re all visible, especially the flying – fish pattern.
2. Matching the Hat and Belt：Wear a matching hat, like a black gauze hat, and make sure it’s on straight. The belt is also really important. It should match the Feiyu Fu. Tie the belt tight and fix the part that hangs down to look really powerful. And this is How to wear Chinese HanFu – Feiyu…