The hanfu ruqun is made up of a short top and a long dress. The top or jacket is referred to as Ru, whereas the skirt or long dress is called qun. Ru is also a synonym for other items like the Shan and Ao. It can have short or long sleeves. Ruqun broadly covers clothing set with a separate upper garment and draping lower garment. Clothing forms with tops and bottoms are referred to as shang yi xia chang, shang yi being the top, and xia chang the bottom.
It can also have a Banbi and a shawl. The banbi is half-armed, especially for summer. Ruqun is worn by both men and women, although it is more common among women. It appeared in the Warring States period and was worn through the Ming and Qing dynasties. It can be classified using different features which give it different names, including those highlighted below.
Collar
A ruqun with a cross collar is jiaoling ruqun, with a straight collar is known as a dui-jin ruqun, and a U-shaped collar is a tanling ruqun.
Waist position
When categorized using waist position, the ruqun is divided into zhongyao ruqun, middle-waist, gaoyao ruqun, high-waist ruqun, and qixiong, the chest ruqun.
These two categories can further be subdivided, meaning that the ruqun hanfu is very broad and can be confusing, especially for newbies. The obvious feature that set it apart in hanfu is the very short shirt garment and the skirt garment that sits very high, usually right below the collarbone. You can accessorize the ruqun up or down depending on the kind of look you wish to achieve. With the right shoes, too, you can be as modern or vintage as desired. Every look is possible with a ruqun.
Dance Ruqun
The eyes are quickly drawn to the shiny, colorful floral details on the wide cuffs, wide belt, and collar. The rest of the ruqun is white, making it appear neat. It comes with a scarf matching the color of the floral areas. You can wear this to weddings, birthday parties, festivals, and other functions. It oozes beauty and elegance in a simple, realistic design that will make your body feel treasured.
Tang Dynasty Ruqun
This is a high waist multi-colored ruqun. The belt has beautiful Chinese elements with a musical instrument displayed in such a way that you can hear the music flowing with your eyes. The long skirt is printed with white snowflakes but remains soft and calming. It works well with the soft light blue top, which flows in unison with the bottom. This dress passes as formal or casual wear, and you will only need to dress it up or down to achieve the desired results.
The wine red color of the ru is striking and very appealing. The sweet floral embroidery further pops it on the shoulders running down the sleeve symmetrically; the same details are on the waist sash ends and are beautiful, especially when the sash falls over the black qun. The middle waist qun is solid black with a stunning drape you will love on your body. The ankle length allows you to show off the shoes you choose to wear with the hanfu. It is a bold hanfu that does not require overwhelming accessories or makeup.
The Chinese elements on the collar and upper sleeves are most beautiful and give a beautiful edge to the otherwise simple set. The upper garment is red, and the bottom is black and pleated for the perfect skirt drape. It is more of a uniform but will make a fabulous choice for casual affairs, including festivals and holidays. Step out in matching outfits with this unisex ruqun.
This is a Qiyao ruqun hanfu consisting of a skirt, a blouse, and a big-sleeved coat. The top is left white, whereas the skirt is gray, printed with beautiful mythical creatures and other floral and Chinese elements. These might sound like a lot, but looking at the dress, they all come together very well, creating a perfect gray outfit that is not boring. The material used for this ruqun hanfu is light, soft, and very comfortable; you can easily run your errands wearing this hanfu and not be weighed down. Its beauty will compel you to add it to your wardrobe; it is a hanfu you will want to wear daily.
This is a chest waist ruqun comprised of a bright red ru with exquisite embroidery on the sleeves. The qun is grayish blue with minimalist Chinese decorations at the bottom. You will love how the skirt hem turns into a red sheer-like look that matches the red at the top. The design exposes the legs a little and then is completely covered with an inner lining as you go up the skirt. This ruqun also has a red scarf with intricate Chinese shapes.
Ruqun buying guide
Hanfu clothing’s popularity continues to rise. More people want to associate with this traditional garment with Chinese origins for the love of the culture and unique design. When buying your first hanfu, pay attention to the types and then choose according to what you find most appealing.
Apart from the hanfu type, the fabrics and patterns are also important. It would help if you went for a hanfu that keeps you comfortable in the right season. With the varieties, you will find pieces you can enjoy, even during cold winter days and hot summer ones.
The embroidery and prints also play a huge role in the overall appearance of your hanfu. They can be bold and daring or simple and very elegant. Go for what you feel you can pull off comfortably. Let your inner person guide you because you will only be as comfortable and confident as you are inwards.