Pose & style reference · Traditional clothing
Hanfu
Also called: hanfu dress, 汉服, Han Chinese clothing, ruqun
In short
Hanfu is the traditional clothing of the Han Chinese, worn in many forms across the dynasties before the Qing. Its signature features are a crossed collar that closes to the right, wide sleeves and layered robes or jackets over skirts. Since the early 2000s a hanfu revival movement has brought it back as festival wear, photo wear and, for some, everyday fashion.
Reference photos
Photos are shown from mfan8.com with credit to the photographers and models. Tap a photo to open the full set.
What makes clothing hanfu
Most hanfu share one rule: the jiaoling youren, a crossed collar where the left front panel wraps over the right, so the collar forms a shape like the letter y when you face the wearer. Garments are built from straight panels, close with ties or sashes rather than many buttons, and use wide, flowing sleeves.
Each dynasty had its own silhouette, so modern hanfu wearers often describe outfits by the period they are modelled on, such as Tang style, Song style or Ming style.
Common types of hanfu
| Type | How it looks | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ruqun | Short jacket (ru) worn over a long skirt (qun) | One of the most common modern forms |
| Chest-high ruqun | Skirt tied high above the bust with a short top | Often associated with Tang-style dress |
| Aoqun | Longer, lined jacket (ao) over a skirt | Warmer, more formal |
| Beizi | Long, open-front outer layer with straight parallel collar edges | Slim and elegant, Song style |
| Mamianqun | Pleated wrap skirt with flat front and side panels | The horse-face skirt, Ming style |
| Yuanlingpao | Round-collared robe, often belted | Worn by both men and women |
How to draw hanfu
- Get the collar direction right: the wearer's left panel goes on top. Mirroring it is the most common mistake.
- Draw the layers as nested shapes: inner collar, outer collar, then the jacket edge, each showing a thin strip at the neck.
- Sleeves hang from the wrist in deep U-shaped curves; when the arm lifts, the sleeve drops and its full width shows.
- Skirts are gathered or pleated from a waistband and fall in long vertical folds to the floor.
- Add sashes, ribbons and a pibo (a long shawl draped over the arms) to create flowing lines that show movement.
Wearing and photographing hanfu
Choose one period style and match the hairstyle to it; buns with hair sticks or hairpins complete the look. Tie the skirt firmly and check that the collar closes right over left before you start shooting.
Graceful, slow poses suit the garments: hands folded inside the sleeves, holding a round fan, turning to look back with the sleeves trailing, or walking through a garden or courtyard. Side light and a slight breeze show the sleeves and layers best, and a 50mm to 85mm lens keeps full-length shots natural.
FAQ
Which side closes on top in hanfu?
The left panel wraps over the right, called jiaoling youren. The opposite direction is traditionally avoided in Han dress.
What is the difference between hanfu and qipao?
Hanfu is the older Han Chinese clothing with crossed collars and wide sleeves. The qipao is a fitted 20th-century dress with a mandarin collar and frog buttons.
What is a mamianqun?
A mamianqun, or horse-face skirt, is a pleated wrap skirt with smooth front and back panels, best known from the Ming dynasty.