Quju Shenyi (曲裾深衣) is a formal outfit with several layers worn mainly for ceremonial purposes. Come and get for details on how to wear Hanfu Quju Shenyi.
History of Quju Shenyi
Quju Shenyi is a common style during the Qin (秦, 221- 206 BCE) and subsequent Han (汉, 202 BCE- 220 CE) dynasties, you can find similar styles of Shen Yi in various archaeological discoveries.
The style introducing today is a short version of the wrap-around Quju Shenyi, designed largely based on unearthed clay and wooden figurines. Most of these artifacts were found inside the Mawangdui (马王堆) archaeological site of the Western Han Dynasty. Unfortunately, after the Han Dynasty, this style decreased in popularity and was later on completely lost. So it’s almost impossible at this point to replicate it.
Now let’s take a look at the individual pieces and how to wear them.
Wear inner garments of Quju Shenyi
The word Quju refers to the curved hem, and Shenyi is one of the most basic forms of Hanfu which is made up of the upper and lower garment, sewed together at the waist.
Shenyi is an outer coat, so people usually wear inner garments made of cotton or linen material underneath. This long innerwear pants have a modern elastic waistband instead of ties for convenience.
This upper garment is in a style known as Jiaoling Youren (交领右衽) or wrapping the right side before the left. The middle seam on both front and back represents a person’s righteousness. It has narrow straight sleeves. After putting it on, secure the right side first with the tie from the inside, then cover it with the left side and tie it up on the right.
Wear the pleated skirt of Quju Shenyi
A waist-high pleated skirt to match Quju Shenyi. Wrap the skirt around your waist and find the tie in the middle, secure that first, then wrap the remaining skirt and tie again.
Wear the Quju Shenyi
This Quju Shenyi also complies with Jiaoling Youren, with the right panel on the inside. We can see a triangular-shaped piece of fabric attached to the front of the garment, this could be the recorded Xuren Goubian (续衽钩边). It basically means an extended garment front that wraps around the body, and it can be secured with sash or ties. This garment has large sleeves which is more suitable for ceremonial occasions.
Xuren Goubian
When putting it on, first insert your arms into the sleeves, and don’t forget to take your hair out, then tie the right panel first, and roll the elongated triangular part to the right once, and twice, in the end, find two long ties and secure them on the other side to hold it together.
Add a sash belt, in this case just for decoration, and you can tuck the ties under the belt to hide it.
And that’s it!
You can click on the video for details on how to wear Hanfu Quju Shenyi.
For more information on Hanfu styles and how to wear Hanfu, please click here.
This is such a helpful tutorial, thank you!!
I love this Youtube Channel (Five Thousand Years), it has a lot of sourced info on historical Chinese wear, and in a simple and accessible way that really makes it easy.
I know I learned something here. The blue cords on the Quju itself was strategic and essential to set the dress in place before the actual belt sash. And since they wear tucked away and hidden, I would not have guessed if not for the demonstration. 😎
Thank you it was a really helpful tutorial and informations!! 😊