Banbi
Banbi (半臂, lit. "half-arm"),[1] also known as Banxiu (半袖, lit. "half-sleeve"), is an item of traditional Chinese attire. The banbi is a form of waistcoat or outerwear that was either worn over or under a long-sleeved ruqun; it has short sleeves.[1] The style of its collar varies, but it can be secured at the front either with ties or a metal button.[2]
There were different forms of banbi. In present days, the different forms of banbi are generally classified based on their collar shapes: e.g. duijin (Chinese: 对襟) which is straight or parallel in shape, jiaoling (Chinese: 交领) which is cross-collared in shape, and tanling (Chinese: 坦领) which is U-shaped.[3][2]
History[]
Ancient[]
According to the Chinese records, banbi clothing style was invented from the short jacket (短襦; duanru) that the Chinese wear.[4] It was first designated as a waistcoat for palace maids, but its popularity soon reached the commoners.[4] It was recorded in the Book of Jin, when Emperor Ming of Wei met Yang Fu, the emperor himself was dressed in commoner's banbi.[4][5]
Tang dynasty[]
During Tang dynasty, the banbi was worn by men and women.[6] The banbi was a staple clothing item for the Tang dynasty women, along with shan (a blouse which could be low cut during this period) and high-waisted skirts.[7] The banbi was worn on an upper garment called shan (衫).[6][7] The banbi could either be worn under or over the skirt.[1] Banbi could also be worn under the yuanlingshan.[7]
During Tang Dynasty, there was another form of Banbi or short sleeve waistcoat worn called kedang