Chinese Culture: Clothing (English Edition): A Journey Through Chinese Dress, from Ancient Silk to the Qipao

About This Book

Chinese Culture: Clothing is your guide to understanding one of the world’s oldest and most vibrant dress traditions. Authored by renowned expert Hua Mei, a professor and director of the Institute of Costume Culture at Tianjin Normal University, this book offers a comprehensive and engaging look at how Chinese clothing reflects the country’s history, society, and aesthetic ideals .

What’s Inside

• A Historical Overview: Trace the evolution of Chinese clothing from the primitive society of the Paleolithic Period through to the modern era .

• Iconic Moments in Fashion: Explore key developments, including the incredible story of silk, the dramatic reforms of King Wuling of Zhao, the elegance of Tang suits, the symbolism of official robes, and the rise of the Cheongsam .

• Cultural Significance: Understand how social status, philosophy, and cultural exchange (both between ethnic groups and with the West) have influenced what Chinese people wear .

• Modern Transformations: See how Chinese fashion evolved through the 20th century, from the influence of Western styles to the iconic “worker’s and farmer’s” clothes and the enduring appeal of denim and bell-bottoms