Another major characteristic of Hanfu is that it usually does not have buttons. The famous “China Knot Buttons” seen on Qipao appeared very late in Chinese history. Hanfu is usually fastened by ribbons, only occasionally decorated by a few buttons. On the contrary, Qipao is especially fond of buttons. They tend to overuse buttons so much that they are sometimes called “centipede costumes.”
Hanfu usually has a waistband, on which various little decorations are hung, including Yu (jade) and Chinese knots. These hung decorations, together with the long ribbons and relatively wide sleeves, can sway as one walks. Its idea is to to cover up any imperfections and to accentuate the bodily beauty of an East Asian woman.
Men’s Hanfu is basically the same as the womens’, only more conservative in color and fewer patterns to choose from.
Hanfu’s beauty makes it perfect for performances. For example, in the Beijing 2008 Olympics, most performers were dressed in Hanfu.
People dressed in Hanfu make good subjects for painting, sculpture and other forms of art. Here are just some of its masterpieces.
This silk painting was found in a tomb which dates back to more than 2000 years ago. One of the earliest silk painting, it depicts a slim woman in a long dress with a Chinese dragon and a phoenix flying over her head.
This is a relic carving on brick found in a tomb dating back to the 5th to 6th century AD. It depicts an elegant lady with a high hairstyle.
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