Chinese Clothing

Chinese clothing has had many variations throughout time. Traditional Chinese clothing is based on the five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms of China as well as social class or status.

One of the most common types of traditional Chinese clothing is the robe or tunic. Robes were worn through many periods of history and are still worn today. The robes were used to signify certain status of those who wore them. The sashes worn on the robes were unique to the class and time period.

Chinese clothing is used today in ceremonies and on special occasions. Many authentic Chinese restaurants have Chinese clothing on display. Some Chinese clothing has intricate and unique embroidery on it. Some of the thread used for the embroidery on the Chinese clothing was made of gold.

One of the materials often used for making Chinese clothing was silk. Silk is a material that was used by those who were wealthy. Cotton was the most commonly used fabric because it was readily available and everyone could afford it.

When people think of Chinese clothing they may picture a traditional Chinese woman dressed in an ornate robe. The Chinese clothing also included special shoes that were similar to wooden sandals. The women often wore their hair in large buns.

Chinese clothing changed during the different dynasties. For example in the Sui Dynasty in the 500's, only rich people could wear clothes of colors while everyone else had to wear dark clothing.

During the Sung Dynasty in 1100 AD women's feet were bound. Women were only thought to be beautiful if they had very tiny feet. To make them stop growing young women bound their feet using tight strips of cloth. Some women bound their feet to make them so small that some were only 3 inches in length.