Collection: Qixiong Ruqun

The Qixiong Ruqun (齐胸襦裙 / 齊胸襦裙), also known as the Qixiong Shanqun （齐胸衫裙/ 齊胸衫裙), is a type of attire in Hanfu, the traditional clothing worn by the Han Chinese. This style of Ruqun is unique in that it features a high waistline Chinese skirt, or qun, which is tied above the bust level. It was popular among women during the Southern Dynasties, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, and was later revived in the early and middle Ming Dynasty. It is sometimes referred to as the "chest-high Ruqun."

From the Han dynasty and Jin, the skirt was tied at the waist, but during the Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties, the waistband was worn higher, often above the chest or under the armpit. This style was known as the high-waist ruqun in some clothing history records. Later, it was renamed qixiong ruqun, which is the name used by people today. The qixiong ruqun was a popular style of women's hanfu during the Tang dynasty.

Terminology of Qixiong Ruqun

The qixiong ruqun gets its name from its positioning on the body of the wearer. It differs from the gaoyao ruqun (高腰襦裙; high-waisted ruqun), which attaches below the chest and above the waist. The qiyao ruqun (齐腰襦裙; waist ruqun) is tied at the waist, while the qixiong ruqun is fastened under the armpit. In the past, women's ruqun dresses were not typically high-waisted, but this changed during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Sui Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, and Five Dynasties periods. The high-waisted ruqun was initially recorded in some clothing history records but was later renamed as the qixiong ruqun by current people's examination and certification.

History

The qixiong ruqun originated in the Northern and Southern Dynasties and was worn during the Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties. However, the rise of Neo-Confucianism during the Song Dynasty led to the decline of the fashion of Tang Dynasty.

Before the Putong period of the Liang Dynasty, which occurred from 520 to 527 AD, the women's ruqun had a waistline located at the waist. During the Southern Dynasties, the women's ruqun evolved and was tied higher, with the skirt attached at chest level, while the ru had open necklines. The ru with open neckline was introduced during the Datong period from 527 to 529 AD.

Prior to that, the collars of women's ru were designed to be tight-fitting from the Southern Qi Dynasty from 479 to 502 AD until the Liang Dynasty. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, short ru blouses were popularly worn, alongside banbi and pibo which were accessories used as an integral part of the ruqun. In the Sui Dynasty, Han Chinese clothing was established, and short-sleeved ru became popular.