中国人习惯把日常生活概括为“衣食住行”,服饰排在了第一位,由此可见它在生活中的重要位置。在这个历史悠久的衣冠大国,不仅有丰富的考古资料记录其服饰发展的历史,在古代神话、史书、诗词、小说以及戏曲中,与服饰有关的记载也随处可见。伴随着民族间的相互融合,服饰的样式和穿着习俗不断演变,历史服饰不仅朝代之间有明显的差别,同一朝代的不同时期也有显著的变化。回顾20世纪的中国服饰,旗袍、长衫、中山装、学生装、西服、礼帽、遮阳帽、丝袜、高跟鞋、工农服、列宁服、布拉吉、军便装、夹克衫、喇叭裤、迷你裙、比基尼、职业装、朋克装、T恤衫……种种不同时期不同风格的服饰见证了时代的变迁。
In the Chinese way of describing the necessities of life, clothing ranks at the top of "garments, food, shelter and means of travel." In this country with a long history of garments and ornaments, there is a wealth of archeological findings showing the development of garments, as well as their portrayals in ancient mythology, history books, poems and songs, novels and drama. China, as a country made up of 56 ethnic groups that continually influenced each other, has undergone continuous transformation in dress style and customs.
Preface
A Brief History of Ancient Garments
Shenyi and Broad Sleeves
Introduction of Ethnic Minority Styles
The Elegant Wei and Jin Period
The Thousand Faces of the Tang Costume
Beizi: a Song Style Garment
Ming Garments as Seen in Classical Portraits
Qi Costumes-a Combination of Manchu and Han
Nationality's Clothes
Clothes and Hierarchy in Ancient Times
Royal Ceremonial Wear
The Official Uniform
Ancient armor suits
Silk, the Silk Road and the Art of Embroidery
Beauty of Primitive Garments
Adornments and Fairy Tales
Hats with Meanings
Shawls and the Back Wrapping Cloth
A Silhouette of Tibet Costumes Countless Ornamental Objects
Trends in Modern Garments
Civilized New Clothes and Improved Cheong-sam
Farmer & Worker Uniforms and Service-dresses
Professional image and professional dresses
Keeping Pace with the World Fashion
Appendix: Chronological Table of the Chinese Dynasties