From monotonous colors like green, blue, black and gray, 40 years ago to popular flared trousers, bat-style shirts and today's diverse outfits ... changes in clothes over the 40 years of the reform and opening up policies in the PRC have been demonstrated the history of the development of clothing of each generation of Chinese.
In 1978, China launched a reform and opening up policy. A direct manifestation of ideological emancipation was openness in clothing. Previously, only monotonous colors such as green, blue, black and gray predominated in the outfits of the Chinese.
Following the opening of the country, some clothing from the West began to penetrate into China. In 1979, the French brand Pierre Cardin introduced collections for men and women in Beijing. The cost of each clothing model shown exceeded one thousand yuan, while the monthly wage of a Chinese worker was only 300 yuan.
Following Pierre Cardin, other foreign brands, such as Valentino, also began to appear in China. The associate professor of the Fashion Distribution School of the Beijing Fashion Institute, Zhen Zhen at that time, worked as a seamstress behind the scenes, she saw how models were applied makeup, tried on costumes, and also the show itself. Then she learned a lot. She said: “Like opening a window to the world, very colorful.”
Following the rapid penetration of foreign culture and fashion trends from Hong Kong and Taiwan, the new generation is constantly getting acquainted with information about fashion trends. TV star outfits and hairstyles can be seen on numerous Chinese people across the country.
Jeans that everyone wears today began to appear in China in the 80s of the last century. At a time when society had not yet accepted this new trend, many considered jeans to be clothing for ill-mannered youth. Today, jeans have become popular clothing; they are loved not only by young people, but also by older people.
Professor Wang Ziyue, an associate professor at the Beijing Fashion Institute, who studies the culture of clothing and jewelry, said that in the 90s of the last century, the transition to a middle-income society began in the life of the Chinese, the Chinese became more open. In appearance, people tend to various changes and emphasize individual characteristics. It is very difficult to characterize fashion trends with one style or color scheme. Individualism and refusal to follow the fashion is also a fashion.
“Previously, people were afraid to be different from the others in clothes, then they began to fear that their clothes would be the same as others. Society is becoming more tolerant, people began to dress in accordance with their characteristics in the hope of creating their own style, ”said Wang Ziyue.
With the entry into the 21st century, more and more Chinese elements appear in the world of fashion art. "Chinese style" has embraced the international design industry. Chinese traditional tanzhuang outfit, qipao dress are popular all over the world. During the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008, the Chinese team’s Olympic uniform, which combined elements of white and blue porcelain, blessed clouds and embroidery, attracted widespread attention.
According to Wang Ziyue, changes in the clothes of the Chinese for 40 years have been a mirror of social development, reflect the changes that the policy of reform and openness in the economy, ideology and society brought with it.
