The Cheongsam (for ♀) and Changshan (for ♂) have their roots from Manchurian clothing (旗服). The word 旗 mean Manchurian, just like Han mean Han Chinese. Both Cheongsam and Changshan are Manchurian clothing with modern western cutting.
Han male lost their clothing in 1644 after they lost the war. They were required to wear Manchurian clothing since then. Han women were more fortunate. During Qing period, Han women couldn't wear Manchurian Clothing, and they continue with their Han clothing. Throughout the Qing period, both Manchurian and Han women worn separate type of clothing.
In the 1920s and 30s, during the Shanghai Tang period that they modify the Manchurian long robe with western cutting and fashion sense. The history of Cheongsam was actually very recent. If there is chance, I will discuss the clothing from the from the fallen of Qing empire till the 1930s Shanghai Tang period.
So what is the original Han Chinese clothing? Han Chinese had been wearing a unique style of clothing since ancient times. If using stories from legend, it will era of the Yellow Emperor (2600 to 2500 BC). Archaeology wise will be since the Shang Dynasty (1600 to 1046 BC) - quite old for an ethnic clothing.
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| (from left to right: Han dynasty, Wei Jin dynasty, Tang dynasty, Song dynasty, Yuan dynasty, Ming dynasty & Qing dynasty) |
This blog is to discuss about the styles and system behind the Han Chinese clothing. Modern Western clothing have a different dress code for different function and events. Interestingly, ancient Chinese had a similar system. There are formal clothing for states function, for ritual events, formal clothing, smart causal and even informal dress code. Its anything but what we saw on the drama shows, where folks can wear the same dress 7/24.
