Friday 29 August 2014

Chinese & Japanese Traditional Clothing

                   Traditional to Modern

I've always been interested in traditional Chinese/Japanese kimonos. They are absolutely stunning and have various types of patterns which make them very unique. 

Here are 2 traditional Chinese outfits:




As you can see both outfits are some what different. Well, of course they are since they're both from different era. As you can see in the picture below, it shows you the evolution of Chinese clothing.


But no matter what, I'm still amazed at how   much it changed. I really love the traditional Chinese dress but if I were to pick one it would definitely be the Qipao.



Now here are some traditional Japanese kimonos:


Aren't the patterns just absolutely GORGEOUS?! Now I've heard a lot of people get confused about the difference between the yukata and the kimono.



Now time to explain. The right photo shows a kimono and the left photo shows a yukata. The main difference is the layers. A yukata is a casual summer kimono so it doesn't have much layers to it but the kimono on the other hand has many layers. Another difference is the collars. The yukata has only one while the kimono has two. The easiest way to differentiate them is if they're wearing socks. If they are then they are wearing a kimono. If not then it's a yukata. Why? I don't really know. Maybe because it's the summer heat? Well, whatever the reason that's just how it is.

The traditional clothing in Japan hasn't changed as much compared to the one in China. The kimono has became modernized a bit by many fashion designers. Some made the length shorter, others add frills but the most common one is adding more modern patterns. Here is a video on modern yukatas:

                
I really do wish I had one of this outfits. They're so adorable! >.<


2 comments:

  1. Thank you! It's very informative! I've noticed that the Korean national dress looks exactly like the Sui dynasty dress (581-618 AD), it was the period of three Kingdoms of Korea (Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje) when they borrowed this fashion from China.

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