With jeweled pins in her hair, a sweeping red silk dress hung over her gauze (薄纱) sleeves, Beijinger Xin Nan looks like she's just stepped out of a dynasty hundreds of years in the past.
Xin Nan is wearing Hanfu, or Han clothing, which has traditionally been the dress for a few enthusiasts on important Chinese holidays such as the Mid-autumn Festival and Lunar New Year. But these days, the Hanfu movement has grown to become a subculture seeking to bring back to life pre-Qing Dynasty clothing. The past few years have even seen Hanfu gain a degree of global recognition, finding its way onto the New York and Paris Fashion Week runways.
Hanfu's entry into modern life has been inspired by the popularity of historical dramas. It's rated that China now has over three and a half million Hanfu enthusiasts as it is considered one of the most important embodiments (化身) of Chinese traditional culture.
Today, it's not uncommon to see a group of girls in these elegant flowing robes taking selfies. Dressed in her Tang-Dynasty-inspired outfit, Xin Nan explained,"Over the past few years, more and more people have been walking in the street, dressed in Hanfu, as if it were their everyday clothing."
Hanfu's growing popularity is reflected in the expansion ofthe associated business. The number of Hanfu merchants on the e-commerce platform Taobao grew threefold (三倍) between 2015 and 2019. According to a report by iiMedia, in 2019, Hanfu sales in China were worth 4.52 billion yuan ($695 million).
To Xin Nan, Hanfu is more than just a style of dress; rather, it's a way of life. "I think Hanfu has a special charm. When I'm wearing it, I feel I've returned to that dynasty," she said. She explained that it inspires her with a sense of elegance and grace. "The moment I put on Hanfu, that's how I'll behave."