This Chinese tradition goes all the way back to the Northern and Southern dynasties (420-589 AD). In the Republican period (1912-1949), beautiful new clothes were needed as the youths paid their respects to the elders. In the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), everyone would show off their new clothing as they visited friends on New Year’s Day. New clothes are a part of Spring Festival celebrations, just like the New Year’s Eve reunion dinner. The Spring Festival is a time of change and new beginnings. You might be able to guess why. Practically every activity during the Spring Festival has the purpose of removing the old and welcoming the new. Forget about the misfortunes and be ready for good luck. In addition, new clothes are auspicious and can protect you from evil spirits. Like the New Year couplets and other decorations, new clothes also add to the festivity. There was only one harvest per year in the north and two to three in the south. In the past, China was an agrarian society. But during Chinese New Year, people could finally splurge and treat themselves. Throughout the entire year, people scrimped and saved. This side of new clothes is a little lost on the younger generations. But that’s a sign that the current standard of living is higher than before. Still, it’s important to be aware of the historical significance of new clothes during this time. But often they will be given as gifts from the family. You can buy yourself new clothes. What should you wear? There actually aren’t any special requirements as to what kind of new clothing you should wear. Because it’s a sign of a fresh start, it’s best to wear your new attire on New Year’s Day. In ancient China, people would follow the fashion trends of that time. But if you want to have more of a traditional flare, winter hanfu male there are some styles you can choose from. Most traditional-wear still popular today are from the Qing dynasty. There’s nothing wrong with you doing the same as well. A Tang suit (唐装 / táng zhuāng) used to refer to dress from the Tang dynasty. But the “new” Tang suit is a jacket that combines the man riding jacket (Qing dynasty) and the western suit. Jackie Chan especially seems to like wearing them. If you’re a fan of Chinese martial arts, you might have seen this type of clothing in movies. The Tang suit was also the dress code for the 2001 APEC meeting. It has an upturned collar and straight lapels. The suit features traditional Chinese knots (frog buttons). The material is usually brocade, a luxury fabric in ancient times. This allowed for comfortable movement, but the looseness doesn’t quite fit modern aesthetics. Originally, it was seamless between the body and sleeves. Most Tang suits nowadays are modified and tailored. Many have auspicious symbols and words embroidered into the shirt. But the modern styles we know today are very different from the original. The qipao (旗袍 / qí páo) entered mainstream Chinese culture during the Qing dynasty. It began as a conservative dress with straight and loose cuts. Through colonization, the qipao became westernized. The qipao has changed consistently starting in the mid-1800s. Intricate designs were embroidered into the fabric. Styles vary between long and short, tight and loose. Openings can start as high up as the thigh. However, modern styles still preserve the stiff straight collar and frog buttons. Nowadays, the qipao is usually very tight-fitting (it’s recommended to get the dress custom-made). The term “cheongsam” (长衫 / cháng shān) is usually used by westerners to refer to women’s qipao. Popular embroidered designs include flowers, birds and phoenixes. However, it literally means “long shirt/dress.” It is loose-fitting and usually worn by men now. It is a modified version of Qing dynasty clothing and was formal wear during the 1900s. The cut for the sideways lapel symbolizes wealth and prosperity. The length of the cheongsam also represents status, since longer clothing is unsuitable for physical labor. In the Republican era, it was the clothing of educated scholars. This means there are too many types and variations to count. “Hanfu” (汉服 / hàn fú) translates to “clothing of the Han ethnicity.” It encompasses traditional clothing up until the Qing dynasty. Generally, a hanfu outfit includes a shirt and a skirt. The skirt is long and sometimes starts above the bosom. The shirt has crossed lapels and the sleeves are long and wide. Tang dynasty hanfu influenced the Japanese kimono, while the Ming dynasty influenced the Korean hanbok. The elegant cuts and fresh colors will bring something unique to your wardrobe. There are also modern versions, including shorter skirts and more western elements. If you’re looking for some stylish kicks, you’re in luck, as many major brands have started releasing Chinese New Year themed shoes leading up to the holiday. If you’re looking for something dressier and eye-catching, hanfu is the answer. However, be careful with your timing, as some Chinese, especially Cantonese, are superstitious about buying shoes during the Chinese New Year holiday. Also, you should never give shoes as a gift, since in Chinese the word for shoes 鞋 (xié) sounds like the word for “evil” or “bad luck” 邪 (xié). In ancient times, men were not allowed to go without a headdress. But that’s not necessarily the case anymore. You can choose whatever handsome hairstyle you like. So make sure you grab a pair before the festivities start. Using chopsticks as hair accessories is a misconception. Instead, ornate wands are used. There are fancier choices for women. If you wear a hanfu, you can also add a pendant to the waistband. When buying clothes for Chinese New Year, go for red. They are usually inlaid with jewels and taper off to an intricate design with trinkets hanging off the end. Stay away from black and white, as they are unlucky and negative (for more unlucky things to avoid, check out our list of the top 10 taboos. This is the best color for the occasion. The Tang suit is the most popular choice. Qipaos are also accepted, although the nature of the dress isn’t the best for the winter season. Also remember that new clothes are a set part of Spring Festival celebrations, but it’s not necessary to wear full traditional gear to a dinner party. The hanfu (and cheongsam) is regaining popularity, but is still not as widely accepted. Be careful of cultural appropriation when wearing traditional clothing of another culture. Many native Chinese people are okay with it. However, many Chinese expats in other countries find it uncomfortable. In fact, they’ll be delighted if they see foreigners in traditional clothing. If a Chinese friend is the host or guest of the party, it never hurts to ask them how they feel about it. Other than that, welcome the coming year with a fresh new look and a smile! What’s Lunar New Year? Who is the monster Nian? Why is it the Year of the Snake?
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