Women and Clothing in Early Imperial China (770 BC–220 AD)

More than two thousand years ago, during the Spring and Autumn period, the Warring States, and into the Qin and Han Dynasties (770 BC–220 AD), the clothing worn by women in ancient China was deeply shaped by Confucian values, class distinctions, and evolving ideas of virtue and beauty.

In this first episode of a six-part series on historical Chinese clothing, we explore how philosophy, hierarchy, and aesthetics influenced what women wore and how they were expected to present themselves.

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Introduction 緣起
2:06 Part 1: Clothing and Confucianism
3:49 Part 2: Shenyi and Class
5:38 Part 3: Beauty Standards
7:48 Part 4: Virtue and Textiles

Join us as we trace the rich cultural history of traditional Chinese fashion—from ancient dynasties to the 20th century.