How Social Transformation Is Affecting Female Clothing Change in the Late Qing Dynasty and the Early Republic of China

Abstract

During the late Qing dynasty and the early Republic of China, women's clothing had a revolutionary change. Under the unprecedented social transformation in a millennium, Social Darwinism called for “mother of the citizens”, arousing public concern to release women's bodies. Anti-foot-binding movement awakened women's self-awareness and planted a hint of women's emancipation. While Feminism turned the value to the “parity of citizens,” women disguised their female character and dressed as men. Early Qipao was widespread during women’s liberation movement. The New Culture Movement facilitated ideology of Human Liberation. Women gradually possessed independence of personality and changed their corsets. They tended to confront and express body curves instead of cover and weakening.