On October 21, 2001, APEC conference was held in Shanghai, China; the moment leaders from different nations entered the main forum of Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, wearing Tang suit which has a strong Chinese flavor, the whole world was enchanted; Tang suit has successfully evoked the hearty admiration of the common people. The world has been convinced of its brilliance and oriental romantic charm. After half a century’s dreariness, Tang suit has completed splendid historical turning with the help of the conference. Since then, Chinese go on a ‘wearing-chinese-own-suits’ spree; Tang suit is not only worn by Chinese, but also be termed as the fashion tag for westerners. It is said that in traditional Chinese clothes street in Changle Road in Shanghai, there are always Americans who are eager to find the suits like the one the President Bush has worn. Some businesspersons of Tang suit in Beijing proudly claim that Tang suit are not merely the clothes of the Chinese people; it will also take advantage of APEC to guide the trend of the world, which can call on a auspicious and joyous new tide of Tang suit. This is not only the combination of tradition and the present, but also the inevitable result of regularity of epidemic, especially the representation of status and manner of China in the International family. Therefore, everyone must be curious about Tang style suits now, and let us know something in detail about Tang suit!

Most people would think the Tang suit as the clothes in Tang Dynasty at the mention of it, but is Tang suit the so-called clothes in Tang Dynasty. As a matter of fact, this is a misunderstanding; the prosperity of Tang suit can be viewed as a sign of revival of Chinese civilization. Regardless of the grand symbol significance behind it, Tang suit has been a vague conception. As for the connotation of it, there are many descriptions in the fashion world, such as ‘magnificent costume’, ‘traditional chinese clothes’ etc. Many people are extremely puzzled by the concept of Tang suit, arguing that since China is a large country, will there be no clothes to wear after Tang Dynasty. Actually, Tang suit are basically chinese style dressing in late Qing Dynasty; the origin of Tang suit is somehow like export-oriented commodities sold at home, for foreigners call overseas chinese street Chinatown, so they naturally call chinese style dressing Tang suit. The title of Tang suit actually originates from abroad.

The main designer Ms. Yuying said that the Tang suits worn by leaders of different nations in APEC conference are the generic terms of Chinese style dressing. After they have designed the clothes, everybody gathered to discuss the name of this suit; through studying and screening for some time, they finally decided to name this kind of clothes Tang suit since Tang Dynasty has established fame both at home and abroad and Chinese people have been called Tang people by other countries since Tang Dynasty. Therefore, it is possible that the traditional Chinese clothes are called Tang style suits. Chinese residential areas in America, Southeast Asia or even Europe are called Chinatown, besides, overseas Chinese call themselves tang people and call Chinese traditional clothes in Chinatown worn by tang people Tang suit. Clothes having Chinese characteristics are called Tang suit henceforward; such name is not only natural but also becomes a formula oversea.

During the upward period of China economy, prosperity of Tang suit may be viewed as a symbol of the revival of Chinese civilization while regardless of its grand symbol significance, Tang suit has been a vague conception. As for the connotation of it, there are many descriptions in the fashion world, such as ‘magnificent costume’, ‘traditional chinese clothes’ etc. Many people are extremely puzzled by the concept of Tang suit, arguing that since China is a large country, will there be no clothes to wear after Tang Dynasty. Actually, Tang suit is basically chinese style dressing in late Qing Dynasty; count thus, time of origin of Tang suit is near to us and easy to integrate into our life again. Take the coat of Tang suit for example, it can suit western trousers and leather shoes; a parka can be worn outside it and a bulky turtleneck can be worn inside it etc.—such characteristics have become the practical factor for its prosperity besides its cultural meaning. Such practical factor is indispensable in fashion; it is just because of this point that the gown and loose face sleeve worn by real Tang Dynasty people or even the gown in Ming Dynasty can’t return to fashion; only in the form of elements can they return to fashion.

II. Development process of Chinese traditional clothes

China boasts of 5000 years of civilization. Although Chinese culture has been through historical form and thoughts evolution, it has a core derived from the same origin. Spacious, amiable and flowing grace are the basic element of chinese traditional clothes.

China calls itself a ‘Dress Kingdom’ The Book of Changes thus writes: Emperor Huang, Emperor Yao, and Emperor Shun arrange various official positions according to the names of different parts in clothes and get the country under control. Chinese focus a lot on the form of clothes; ever since the Shang Dynasty, the form of the Han people has been confirmed: side opening, right lapel, jacket and skirt. Up till Zhou Dynasty, ancient robe, which we call gown later, has appeared. These two kinds of clothing forms have co-existed during the thousands of years. Chinese clothes are plane tailoring, which is regardless of the characteristics of the human body. Besides, Chinese clothes use style, color and decoration to distinguish man and woman; also, due to the geographical environment of China, silk, canapina fiber and cotton have become the main garment material there, forming differences in clothing formation with western countries, which adopt wool as the main garment material. 

Clothes are an artificial nature; man should live in harmony with this artificial nature. Clothes derived from such culture have always been spacious and straight; compared with western clothes; Chinese clothes are more amiable, graceful and comfortable. Followed by the fashion trend in China like “Blue Sea” in the 1950s, “Green Military Uniform” in the 1960s, “Green, Gray and Blue Stripes” in the 1970s, “Various colors” in the 1980s, “International craze” in the 1990s, Tang suit means the aesthetic revival of Chinese confidence which is full of culture meanings. Chinese people mean to make use of their bodies and internal language to express the charm of their own culture. When men are dressed in Tang suits, they look elegant, impressive and graceful while women look distinguished, dignified and exquisite; all these fully express the reserved oriental verve.