5000 Years of Chinese Costumes

Rating:
Summary: Lao's review
Review: An excellent, full color overview of Chinese robes from neolithic through modern times. Organized by dynasty, each chapter gives a few text pages covering basics in garment style, hairstyle and make up, and footwear for that dynasty. The full color plates are generally focused on court robes, but also include some armor, dance costumes and scholars robes. Most of the garments are rendered in a 2-dimensional layout, with either paintings or statuary from the period as primary documentation. I found the appendixes in the back to be most useful, showing the evolution of body and sleeve style through progressive dynasties. A few examples of accessories are shown. It is a good starting point for the study of the clothing of the nobility. It does not go in to much detail on the clothing of the common man until the modern era.

Rating:
Summary: Lao's review
Review: An excellent, full color overview of Chinese robes from neolithic through modern times. Organized by dynasty, each chapter gives a few text pages covering basics in garment style, hairstyle and make up, and footwear for that dynasty. The full color plates are generally focused on court robes, but also include some armor, dance costumes and scholars robes. Most of the garments are rendered in a 2-dimensional layout, with either paintings or statuary from the period as primary documentation. I found the appendixes in the back to be most useful, showing the evolution of body and sleeve style through progressive dynasties. A few examples of accessories are shown. It is a good starting point for the study of the clothing of the nobility. It does not go in to much detail on the clothing of the common man until the modern era.