Hu Mei on Costume Culture

Author: Hu Mei
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2001-01-01
Features: Traditional clothing concepts still dominate contemporary Chinese fashion consciousness, where clothing often represents direct realities of etiquette, propriety, and courtesy. In social life, those who pay attention to their attire are often considered "superior," while those in short attire are deemed "inferior." Of course, nothing in the world is purely or singular. Traditional clothing concepts are products of national culture, naturally containing refined elements. However, these elements, tied to traditional notions, have repeatedly faced the shocks of modern times. Chinese clothing culture has naturally been disrupted, forgotten, or even discarded. The contemporary Chinese people's rejection or embrace of traditional clothing concepts indeed involves various contradictions and confusion. Is "wearing coarse clothes but harboring jade" still feasible in reality? In modern society, people often judge others' worth from a fleeting glance, deciding whether to interact or transact. Who would be so dismissive of others' attire, thereby affecting their own image? Perhaps "harboring jade" and "wearing jade" is the best choice for contemporary dressers. Certain elaborate clothing customs that were unquestionably part of traditional Chinese clothing concepts have naturally faded away with history. But how should we establish a new clothing concept? This is precisely the urgent task of research in Chinese clothing culture.