Publication Date
2021
School
College of Arts and Sciences
Major
Interdisciplinary Studies
Keywords
hanfu, qipao, Chinese fashion, fashion, clothing, China, Chinese tradition, fashion design
Disciplines
Chinese Studies | Fashion Design
Recommended Citation
Tibberts, Jennifer, "Investigating How Qipao and Hanfu Dresses are Representative of China" (2021). Senior Honors Theses. 1089.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/honors/1089
Abstract
This research investigates why hanfu and qipao represent the nation of China. Previous sources have described the dresses, Chinese history, and Chinese fashion aesthetics, and have questioned why many people wear these dresses today. However, previous studies have not investigated what aspects of hanfu and qipao make both Chinese people and outsiders associate these dresses so strongly with China. This research looks deeply into the importance of fashion to expression of identity, characteristics and ideals of Chinese clothing, what hanfu and qipao are, how the dresses connect with Chinese history and traditions, and why the styles have phased in and out of popularity. This work also describes how the researcher constructed her own dresses after the styles of hanfu and qipao, which has provided greater understanding of the dresses. This research adds to the current understanding of Chinese fashion, history, and culture, and how they are interconnected.
