Chinese Costume

Chinese Costume

Costumes cheer people up. Costumes are not only for Halloween, though. Chinese costumes, especially because of their festive and luxurious feel, can also be worn during days that signify happiness and festivity, like weddings and birthdays.

A lot of celebrations are coming up in the following weeks. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Gregorian New Year are fun days to look pretty in costumes. To welcome the Chinese New Year is the best day in the entire year to dress up in a pretty Chinese costume. You and your little one can dress up in a luxurious national Chinese costume, but why not take it a step further by dressing in a favorite Chinese character? Be a Chinese princess or a Chinese girl-warrior. Boys can be Bruce Lee, the Monkey King or be an animal in the Zodiac.

The Basics

The Chinese national costume is pretty and festive used on its own. However, for those who want to celebrate in their favorite Chinese story personalities, handy things around the house can be added to the basic Chinese costume.

1. Chinese Dress - Qi Pao

Qi Pao - This Chinese Dress is elegant and festive in its own right. Qi Pao means banner dress when translated. It usually has a high neck and slits on the sides. Designs can vary to flatter the woman's good features and hide the less than perfect features. Qi Pao for young girls can also be gotten in different colors and materials. For active young girls a Qi Pao dress-pants is a good idea.

2. Chinese pants set for boys

For boys, the traditional costume pants set is a must-have set. The top has a mandarin collar with long sleeves. Pants are loose and flowing. Some costume sets include hats with pigtails or hoods.

Dressing up

It is a good idea to gather the following from around the house before starting to mix and match.

Getting sequined Chinese slippers or kung fu shoes from a nearby department store can be a good idea. It can be worn several times if you like wearing costumes for every event (or regularly, since they are comfortable). These can also be ordered online.

Mom's silk skirts in shiny fabrics, dad's silk robes may also be looted. If your family has wigs lying around the house, keep those. It may turn out useful for completing your desired look. Beautiful fabrics, scarves, bead necklaces, even table runners can be added to your collection of materials. Craft flowers, satin ribbons can also be added to the hair.

Chinese Princess

Do this with : girl's empire cut long dress/ other long dresses in plain design,

A girl's sleeveless long dress in shiny fabric and plain design can also be used as a base garment when dressing up as a Chinese princess. An empire cut spaghetti strap will also do nicely. This can be topped over by a long robe/ blouse with butterfly sleeves(These tunic blouses were in fashion 3? 4? Years ago so mom may still have one in her closet.)

Hair can be fixed in a double bun, one on each side of the head, or let some of the hair flow. Beads can also be strung through the hair. Sashes can be tied around the waist, or can be used as hang down designs for the belt.

2. Lady White Snake

Similar to the Chinese Princess, although wear a white costume. May also bring a toy snake and put a pillow by the tummy to look pregnant.

3. Chinese Girl-Warrior

Like Mulan or Yu Shu Lien/ Jen Yu in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Do this with :

-Cheongsam dress-pants set

-Toy Sword or toy bows and arrows

-Kungfu shoes/ other shoes

Wear the pants set and shoes, sling over the toy weapons and youre done. Mom may also fix Warrior's hair into a neat hair style fit for battle.

4. Bruce Lee

Do this with :

-pants of your national costume

-Kung fu shoes/ other shoes

-Sash, use as belt

-Vest as top, or go topless (if the weather is warm)

5. Monkey King

Do this with :

-Boys Traditional Black Kung Fu pants set

-Monkey mask or face crayons

-Stick

-Soft boot/ kung fu shoes/ other shoes

-Scarf or cape

-Assorted armor pieces, homemade or bought in toy stores : breastplate, shoulder guards, arm guards

Wear the costume and shoes. Attach the armor accessories and cape. Wear the mask, or if there are none, mom can use face crayons to simulate the hairy face of Monkey. Bring the stick (Ruyi) before heading out the door.

6. Zodiac animal

See if you have any animal mask lying around the house that is any one of the 12 zodiac animals.

Wear your national Chinese costume and put on your mask. For this year 2009, it would be nice to wear an ox mask with your Chinese costume. Have fun; remember to bring out these Chinese costumes each time to spread more cheer for every occasion!