In the 1920s, plimsolls (a kind of sneakers) gained popularity among the students, and high-heel shoes for women became a new trend. While most men wore round-toed thousand-bottom cloth shoes, young men preferred western-style leather shoes. Students favored peaked or visor caps, and laborers, the terais. In summer some wore straw hats, and in winter people wore hoods, either attached to a robe or jacket or separate. Top hats were quite popular during this period. In the 1930's, there was a growing trend in advanced cities like Shanghai, to combine western clothing with Chinese cheongsams, such as adding a puffy sleeve, or wearing a scarf or a mantle. ![]() Because of cheongsams' popularity, various styles emerged there are long skirted, short skirted, long sleeved, short sleeved, or even sleeveless cheongsams. Therefore, cheongsams became tighter and shorter to enhance women's bodily curves. During the early times of the Republic of China, cheongsams' style followed the Qing Dynasty: straight, and loosely fitted one-piece dress.Īfter the 1920's, the emergence of western culture influenced Chinese values and in turn had reflected on cheongsams. During this era, Ao became tighter and Qun became shorter.Įvolved from Qing Dynasty's Chang Pao, the typical Manchu's wear, cheongsams became Chinese women's main fashion during this period. There were two types of pants a man can wear under Chang Pao one was the western pants with narrower trousers, and the other was the Chinese "lantern pants" with larger trousers and a string attached to close up the trouser ends.Īo (jacket) and Qun (skirt), the two-piece dress remained popular among female. After 1920, men from prosperous cities such as Shanghai started to wear the western style suit - a three-piece male business suit.īut western style suit did not replace Chang Pao and Ma Gua, which also became men's formal wear. The new government passed a "Queue Cutting Notice" and most significantly, it abolished the clothing hierarchical custom and rules, and promoted that everyone, regardless of his social status could wear what he wanted.ĭuring the late 1920's, the new government passed out a new "Apparel Regulations" specifically regulating citizen's formal wear and government officials' uniform.ĭuring the initial period of Republic of China, people continue to wear Qing Dynasty's clothing. Consider a more abstract route like this design on the left, inspired by Japanese porcelain artwork from the Edo period.On October 10th, 1911, Sun Yet Sen initiated Xin Hai Revolution and successfully overthrew the Qing government and abolished China's dynastic and imperial control thus established the Republic of China (1911-1949). Also, note that E.T.A Hoffman's original story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, doesn't mention anything about Chinese tea but only mentions that Japanese porcelain was used to serve Marie (aka Clara) in the Land of Sweets. There are distinctions that should be clear in the designs. During the initial period of Republic of China, people continue to wear Qing. Furthermore, the queue was depicted in many caricatures of Chinese men before and during the passing of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 as seen in the ad below, making it a problematic choice for a light-hearted, joyous dance in the Nutcracker.Īre the designs in reference to Chinese culture? Japanese culture? Korean culture? Asian culture is not a monolith. The new government passed a Queue Cutting Notice and most significantly. Therefore, many Chinese immigrants in the U.S. This hairstyle was violently imposed on all men in China during the Qing dynasty. One example is the queue hairstyle, which is also a common feature of a men’s Chinese Nutcracker costume. Research the history of what's being referenced, so as not to celebrate or make light of a serious historical event. Through what lens are these depictions being made? Where does the inspiration come from? Who created the images and symbols? Secondary sources can be useful, but the context has to be considered. A secondary source would be depictions of Chinese people from films or other costumes depicting Chinese culture from dance or theater. There are a few things to consider when determining if a costume is respectful:Īre the designs based on primary sources? If they are from a secondary source, what is the context?Ī primary source could be an original historical artifact, like a tea cup from a specific era in Chinese history or accurate illustrations of Chinese traditional clothing from a specific time period. Could the same choreography be performed by Chinese princes and princesses? What about leaning into the confection angle and have dancing Fortune Cookies? ![]() However, bear in mind that while a Chinese person depicted as a railroad worker or rice farmer ("chinaman" or "coolie") might be historically accurate, it is a caricature that Asian people are trying to move away from. You can lean in and make costuming historically accurate, and be inspired by Chinese fashion. A few different wardrobe approaches are possible.
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