The Chinese Attire during Qin and Han Dynasties (221 B.C.--220 A.D.

)
The Qin and Han dynasties (221 B.C. - A.D. 220) witnessed the unification of territory
as well as written language. Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty,
established many social systems, including one for uniforms to distinguish people's ranks
and social positions. China's complete code of costume and trappings was established in
the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD). The yarn-dyeing, embroidering and metal-processing
technologies developed rapidly in the period, spurring changes in costume and
adornments.

The Chinese Attire during Wei, Jin, South & North Dynasties (220-589)
During the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern dynasties (220-589), Chinese clothing
was experiencing rapid growth. Before 265, the peoples' cultures and esthetic views in
north and south China fused due to regular war movements. Many philosophical schools
of thought influenced both the lives of many people and the clothing design conceptions.

The Chinese Attire during Tang Dynasty (618-907)

The Tang Dynasty (618-907) has written the brightest page in Chinese clothing
literature. People's clothes became more colorful than ever, as the state became more
open to the outside world and people in their thought became more cosmopolitan.
Women's clothes may be called trendy because they were easy to change and showy. If
there was only one new trend coming out, more people would be able to take it.

The Chinese Attire during Song, Yuan, Ming Dynasties (960-1644)

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), casual dress existed, and clothing was simple
and elegant. During the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368) the Mongolian ethnic group, known
as the People on Horseback, was in control. Clothing style was primarily a blend of
Mongolian and Han. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) the clothes were luxurious
for the upper class but plain and unadorned in style. A modern trend emerged in the
design of clothing, with no restriction to one type and promoting natural beauty, thereby
adding vigor and vitality to the culture of clothing.
The Chinese Attire during Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Clothes were beautiful, composed, and majestic during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Throughout the Qing Empire's 200 years, the world experienced drastic changes such as
the Renaissance in Italy and the discovery of the Americas by Columbus, but the changes
did not affect traditional Chinese clothes, since China had a closed-door policy. People
also wear rank- and lifestyle clothing. The isolation from foreign cultures has left the
traditional Chinese clothing a precious heritage.

Chinese Clothing from 1930s till Modern Era

Since the 1930s until now, Chinese clothes turned Qipao into fashion. Dress was
further westernized from the 1930s through the 1940s, adapted to flatter body form.
Qipao (Cheongsam) persists in Hong Kong from the 1940s to the 1960s as casual wear
until the late 1960s. Most Chinese brides today would prefer Qipao or Long feng Kwa
modern style (traditional Chinese dress similar to Qipao) as their traditional wedding
ceremony dresses.