Chinese Culture >> Chinese Society Traditions

Modern Chinese Clothing

Chinese clothing is not only externally elegant but it also symbolizes culture and communicates its own vitality. Archeological remains from the Shantingtung culture unearthed objects like bone sewing needles, stone beads and shells with holes in them clearly pointing out the use of ornamentation and sewing in that age. Clothing associated with colors was prevalent; red was the color for summer, green for spring, black for winters and white represented of autumns.

Ancient Chinese clothing favored darker colors and a fully developed system of matching, coordinating and contrasting colors and shades was used in apparels. Modern Chinese clothing has combined the ancient symbols of good fortune with the more modern fashion aesthetics in the Chinese modern clothing. A wide range of eye catchy designs for children and young people's clothing is designed in modern China, which includes lions, deities and masks of Chinese opera characters. Modern silhouettes are increasingly using designs and appliqué bronzes from the ancient clothing. Prints, weaves, embroideries, and motifs from the ancient culture merge with new age fabrics and styles to create modern Chinese clothing.

Distinctive and unusual designs from centuries gone by like the dragon and clouds embroideries used on robes meant for emperors are making a come back with modern Chinese clothing. These motifs and designs are beautiful and also symbolize ancient culture. The nine dragon and five cloud design was to bring good fortune to its wearer, and the design still holds it's auspicious significance with modern china. The amalgamation of this modern and ancient apparel, trends and symbolism is attractive and earthy. The traditional macramé is broadly used in modern Chinese clothing for ornamental purposes. It is used on borders, shoulders, pockets, openings, bodices and seams. The modern bridal tiara is another successful combination of traditional and modern in its Sung dynasty design. Traditional pendants and Sash in traditional colors of red, green and blue embroidered in the Hunan province style is still in existence.

The Chinese modern clothing springs from traditional designs and customs. Today social occasions still see men dressed in a refined traditional long gown. Women too wear a modified form of fashion from the Ch'ing Dynasty. There is no end to the variations to these ancient clothes in height, length and width and ornamentation. Even the silk making, weaving and spinning techniques from the past have been developed with modernity and textile industries grown around them. Chinese modern clothing hence helps people not only in china but around the world enjoy traditional features and modern chic in clothing apparels.

The most influential of all ancient times is perhaps the Shang dynasty when silk weaving, spinning and making had been developed. The modern Chinese clothing is visually different yet deeply rooted and interwoven with history. Ancient Chinese art and clothing has and will remain to influence modern Chinese clothing majorly. Culturally, china is neither fully modern nor traditional; this is evident in their lifestyle, modern adaptations of ancient way of dressing and even through ancient art forms depicted as motifs on modern clothing. Despite the advent of western influences and the business suit and 'jeans' in the country, china and modern Chinese clothing remains deeply rooted in the country's history and ancient religion and practices.

About the Author

Christopher Schwebius is an entrepreneur who seeks out sharply defined, specifically focused topics to research. Upon finishing his research he provides relevant, un-biased information to his readers based on his discoveries and/or personal experiences. One of his latest ongoing projects can be viewed at http://www.ancientchinaclothing.org