Hanfu Costume
Embrace the timeless elegance of traditional Chinese Hanfu with flowing layers.
Hanfu is the historical, traditional clothing of the Han Chinese people, characterized by its flowing robes, wide sleeves, and elegant silhouettes. It has seen a massive modern revival as a symbol of cultural pride and aesthetic beauty. A complete Hanfu look consists of layered cross-collar robes, a matching skirt or trousers, and a decorative waist sash.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $40–150
Try it on
See yourself as Hanfu
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What you need for a Hanfu costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Hanfu costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Inner Robe (Zhongyi)
A lightweight, plain white cotton or silk cross-collar shirt worn as the base layer.
DIY: Use a plain white wrap shirt or a lightweight white kimono-style top.
Outer Robe (Ru or Shan)
A flowing, wide-sleeved wrap robe, often featuring delicate embroidery along the collar and cuffs.
Wrap Skirt (Qun)
A high-waisted, pleated wrap skirt that ties securely around the chest or waist, typically in a contrasting or complementary color.
DIY: Create a simple wrap skirt using a long piece of pleated fabric with long ribbon ties.
Waist Sash (Yao-dai)
A wide fabric belt or sash used to secure the robes and skirt, often finished with hanging tassels or jade pendants.
DIY: Cut a wide strip of matching satin fabric and tie it in a neat knot at the front or side.
Hair Ornaments
Traditional hairpins, floral clips, or ribbons to secure and decorate an elegant updo.
DIY: Use decorative chopsticks or secure silk ribbons into a braided hairstyle.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Hanfu costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white inner robe (Zhongyi), crossing the left collar over the right collar to form a 'Y' shape, and tie the inner strings.
- 2
Put on the outer robe (Ru or Shan) over the inner robe, ensuring the left collar crosses over the right collar in the same traditional 'Y' fashion.
- 3
Wrap the pleated skirt (Qun) around your waist or high chest, depending on the style (Ruqun), and wrap the long ties around your body to secure it tightly.
- 4
Tie the wide waist sash (Yao-dai) over the skirt's waistband, securing it with a flat knot and letting the ends hang down.
- 5
Attach any decorative accessories, such as a hanging jade pendant (Yupei) or tassels, to the waist belt.
- 6
Style your hair into a half-updo or bun, securing it with traditional hairpins and floral clips.
- 7
Finish the look with simple, flat embroidered shoes or cloth slippers.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup soft and elegant with a smooth complexion, soft pink or red eyeshadow, and a classic red lip. Hair should be styled in a half-updo, bun, or braid, decorated with hanging tassel hairpins or silk ribbons.
Hanfu for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair a matching men's and women's Hanfu set in coordinating colors like red and white or blue and white.
- group
- Have a group wear Hanfu from different Chinese dynasties, such as Tang Dynasty high-waist Ruqun and Ming Dynasty Mamianqun.
- kids
- A miniature version of a cross-collar Hanfu robe with elastic-waist skirts for easy movement.
- Plus size
- Choose a Tang-style high-waisted Ruqun, which wraps comfortably under the bust and flows loosely downward.
- pet
- A lightweight, decorative pet cape featuring traditional Chinese embroidery and a small collar.
Tips
- Always cross the left side of the collar over the right side; crossing right over left is traditionally associated with funeral attire.
- Wear safety pins or double-sided fashion tape to keep the cross-collar layers from slipping open.
- Choose lightweight chiffon or polyester blends for warm weather, or layer with a matching Hanfu cloak (Doupeng) for cold weather.
- Hold the wide sleeves gracefully when reaching for items or eating to keep them clean.
Hanfu costume FAQ
- Can I wear Hanfu if I am not Chinese?
- Yes! The Hanfu revival movement welcomes people of all backgrounds to appreciate and wear Hanfu, provided it is worn respectfully and styled correctly according to traditional guidelines.
- What is the most important rule when wearing Hanfu?
- The most important rule is to cross the left collar over the right collar (forming a 'Y' shape from the wearer's perspective). Crossing right over left is reserved for mourning.
- What shoes should I wear with Hanfu?
- Traditional embroidered flat shoes, cloth slippers, or simple modern flats in a neutral color work best. Avoid heavy modern sneakers or high heels.
Did you know? The modern Hanfu movement started in the early 2000s when young people in China began wearing the historical garments in daily life to revive traditional aesthetics.