Explanation Of Changes Of Dress And Personal Adornmenton Culture In Late Qing And The Early Republic Of China

In late Qing and the early Republic of China, the whole society was in a desperate situation. Compared with advanced culture of western countries, feudal society become rotten to the core and declining. It was the theme of the times to save the people from untold miseries. In order to find a way out, many advanced people of China advocated western culture. When political theory of the west with science and the technology wcre introduced and put into practice, they realized the importance of changing prevailing habits and customs. Out-moded conventions and bad customs were criticized fiercely, so the trend of thought of changing prevailing habits and customs came into being.Especially dress and personal adornment changed greatly. It changed not only people's apparels but also their ideas. It was characterized by having men's braids cut, freeing women from foot-binding and appearing clothes of new styles. The new idea and new way of life and behavior influenced the Chinese people deeply, so they wanted to depart from formula followed in the past. At last the changes of dress and personal adornment were to be simple, new and harmony. It also indicated that the common people tended to seek changes of dress and personal adornment.Though dress and personal adornment changed greatly, there were many differences between country and city, between different classes and between the south and the north. Social estate system ended and new culture of dress and personal adornment came into being. The common people could be dressed up according to their interests. On the other hand, the changes showed solicitude for human being. But traditional culture of dress and personal adornment was not given up. New clothes full of distinctive national feature were popular with the common people. Dress and personal adornment came to be diversified and it was also full of individuality. Though the new changes happened in big cities, they were full of vigor and vitality.As we known, dress and personal adornment changed in late Qing and the early Republic of China. Trace to its source, traditional culture had great effect on it. Traditional culture of dress and personal adornment was so extensive that it could absorb advanced culture of other nations. At the same time, the most important thing is to keep our fine tradition.Until today, when we look back upon the changes of dress and personal adornment in late Qing and the early Republic of China, we can get enlightenment from them. The culture of Chinese dress and personal adornment showed style and features of society, so we must learn and hand down fine tradition in order to develop new culture of dress and personal adornment.