Hanfu Styles Guide

A Beginner’s Guide to Traditional Chinese Clothing

Hanfu (汉服) refers to the traditional clothing system of the Han Chinese, worn for thousands of years before the Qing dynasty. Hanfu is known for cross collars, wide sleeves, layered robes, and flowing silhouettes. 

Today, Hanfu is experiencing a global revival as more people rediscover traditional Chinese culture through clothing, festivals, photography, and historical fashion.

This guide introduces the main Hanfu styles to help beginners understand the structure and beauty behind these traditional garments.

Main Hanfu Style Categories

  1. Ruqun (襦裙)
    Ruqun is one of the most common Hanfu styles and is widely worn by women. It consists of two main pieces:

    -Ru (襦) — a short top or jacket
    -Qun (裙) — a long skirt 

    There are two popular variations:

    -Qiyao Ruqun (齐腰襦裙)
    The skirt is tied at the waist.

    -Qixiong Ruqun (齐胸襦裙)
    The skirt is tied above the chest and became especially popular during the Tang Dynasty.

    Ruqun is often recommended for beginners because it is comfortable, elegant, and easy to style.

  2. Aoqun (袄裙)

    Aoqun is a layered outfit consisting of:

    -Ao (袄) — a longer jacket or coat

    -Qun (裙) — a skirt

    This style became popular during the Ming Dynasty and often features richly embroidered jackets and structured silhouettes.

    Compared to Ruqun, Aoqun looks more formal and refined, making it suitable for special occasions, festivals, or historical photoshoots.

  3. Beizi (褙子)

    Beizi is a long outer robe typically worn over other garments.

    Key characteristics include:

    -Straight long cut

    -Open front design

    -Side slits for movement

    Beizi became popular during the Song Dynasty and is known for its graceful and minimalist style. It is often used as a layering piece in Hanfu outfits.

  4. Shenyi (深衣)

    Shenyi is one of the earliest forms of Hanfu and represents a traditional ceremonial robe.

    Unlike other styles, Shenyi combines the top and skirt into a single continuous garment. It is known for its flowing structure and cross-collar design.

    Shenyi was commonly worn during the Zhou and Han Dynasties, particularly by scholars and officials.

  5. Key Elements of Hanfu Design

    Several distinctive features define traditional Hanfu garments.

    -Cross Collar (交领右衽) Hanfu collars cross from left to right and close on the right side.

    -Wide Sleeves Wide sleeves symbolize grace, elegance, and social status.

    -Sashes Instead of Buttons Traditional Hanfu uses belts, ribbons, or sashes rather than buttons or zippers.

    -Layered Clothing Many Hanfu outfits consist of multiple layers, including inner garments, skirts, and outer robes.

Hanfu in the Modern World

In recent years, Hanfu has seen a strong cultural revival. Many people now wear Hanfu for:

-Cultural festivals

-Historical photography

-Daily fashion (modern Hanfu)

-Traditional ceremonies

Modern designs often blend traditional silhouettes with contemporary fabrics and styling, making Hanfu more accessible for everyday wear.

To learn more about specific Hanfu garments and styling, explore our detailed guides:

-Mamianqun Guide
-Hanfu Accessories Guide
-Hanfu Sleeve Styles Explained
-Chinese Dynasties and Their Hanfu Styles

Discover Hanfu at The Hanfu Story

At The Hanfu Story, we offer a curated collection of traditional and modern Hanfu styles inspired by different Chinese dynasties.

Explore over 1500+ designs, including:

  • Traditional Hanfu
  • Modern Hanfu
  • Cheongsam and Qipao
  • Hanyuansu and Neo-Chinese fashion
  • Hanfu accessories, shoes, and jewelry

We ship worldwide to the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and beyond, bringing Chinese cultural fashion to a global audience.

Explore the collection at: www.thehanfustory.com