Hanfu

Hanfu, Han clothing, refers to styles of dress worn by Han Chinese before the Qing dynasty: flowing robes, cross collars, and wide sashes. A grassroots revival movement beginning in the early 2000s turned hanfu from costume-drama clothing into a real fashion subculture with millions of enthusiasts.

Today hanfu wearers are a common sight at scenic spots, festivals, and even shopping malls, especially in cities like Xi'an, Luoyang, and Chengdu that lean into their ancient heritage. The industry around it, from rental studios to embroidery ateliers, is worth billions of yuan, and controversy over historical accuracy is part of the scene's passionate discourse.

Hanfu is best understood as one face of guochaoThe consumer movement favoring Chinese brands that blend modern design with Chinese heritage and aesthetics, marking a shift away from the assumption that foreign equals better., the national tide: young Chinese expressing identity through their own history rather than imported fashion. Photos of hanfu-clad graduates and wedding parties now circulate globally as a signature image of modern China.