Chinese Fashion Trends in 2025: New Chinese Style and the Everyday Qipao
In 2025, women’s fashion in China is shifting toward a more localized, heritage-focused aesthetic. Across cities and online platforms, traditional Chinese clothing styles are being reinterpreted for modern streetwear and daily wear. What was once reserved for festivals or formal events is now part of regular wardrobes, with designs based on the qipao, hanfu, and other classical elements appearing in casual outfits across the country.
This trend, often called xinzhongshi or "new Chinese style," reflects a broader interest in cultural identity and national pride. Instead of following trends set by Western fashion houses, many younger consumers are looking to traditional Chinese garments.
Everyday Qipao
The qipao, known internationally as the cheongsam, is one of the most recognizable Chinese garments. In its classic form, it's a slim-fitting dress with a high collar, side slits, and decorative knot buttons. In recent years, it has seen a return not just as formalwear, but also as everyday streetwear, often paired with more modern elements.
Many modern qipao-inspired designs use cotton, jersey, or rayon instead of silk brocade. The silhouette has relaxed. Some designs keep the collar and asymmetrical fastening but shorten the length or widen the cut. Many remove the slit entirely, turning the dress into something closer to a shift dress or tunic.
These pieces are easy to mix with contemporary outfits. Qipao-style tops are often worn with denim or loose-fit trousers. Button details and collars are used on T-shirts, cardigans, and even hoodies. The goal is not to recreate the original garment exactly but to borrow its defining features and apply them in a way that works for everyday life.
Hanfu Influence
While hanfu (a long, layered clothing style worn in China prior to the Qing dynasty) is more elaborate than the qipao, elements of its design have also made their way into modern clothing. Most people don’t wear full hanfu outfits (this would feel like playing dress up) but certain features have been adapted.
- Cross-collar wraps now appear in trench coats and jackets.
- Wide sleeves and belted waists are seen in blouses and cardigans.
- Pleated skirts similar to the mamianqun (horse-face skirt) are popular in spring and autumn collections.
These adaptations are often paired with modern materials and fastenings, making them suitable for everyday use. Rather than serving a ceremonial purpose, these features now function as design choices. This allows women to incorporate historical styles into their outfits without changing their lifestyle or comfort level.
Patterns, Motifs, and Colour
Traditional Chinese design elements are not limited to cut and construction. Embroidery, fabric patterns, and colour also play an important role. Many garments feature traditional traditional motifs such as:
- Peonies (wealth and beauty)
- Cranes (longevity)
- Clouds and waves (luck and movement)
- Dragons and phoenixes (power and harmony)
Colour trends often reference traditional Chinese aesthetics. Red, jade green, and porcelain blue are common. These colours are frequently used in both casual and formal clothing and appear in tops, dresses, outerwear, and accessories.
This approach to pattern and colour offers a way to introduce tradition without making the garment feel overly formal. A sweatshirt with a crane motif or a jacket with a red and gold trim signals a cultural connection without requiring a full traditional outfit.
Not Just for Special Occasions
A key feature of Chinese fashion in 2025 is the shift toward making traditional styles part of normal, daily clothing. This means people are wearing qipao-inspired blouses to work, hanfu-style jackets in cafes, and embroidered garments while running errands.
The rise of social media has played a role in normalising this shift. Platforms like Xiaohongshu (Rednote) and Douyin (Chinese TikTok) are full of outfit inspiration featuring new Chinese styles. Users share how they pair a mandarin-collar top with sneakers or layer a pleated skirt with a hoodie.
Clothing rental services and photo studios that once offered traditional garments for tourists or holidays now serve customers looking for everyday versions. In many cities, it's common to see women wearing hybrid garments that mix modern and traditional elements.
Where to Shop
If you're interested in trying the look yourself, there are plenty of ways to get started. Many local and online brands now offer new Chinese style collections that are designed for comfort and versatility, including here at Kate Yang.
Look for:
- Tops with mandarin collars and side slits
- Dresses with traditional knot button details
- Skirts inspired by hanfu or mamianqun patterns
- Jackets with subtle embroidery, printed motifs or frog buttons
Tradition as Contemporary Fashion
What’s happening in 2025 is not a revival of old clothing styles for the sake of nostalgia. It’s a deliberate reworking of tradition to create something relevant to modern life. The garments are not exact replicas of historical pieces. They are adaptations designed for comfort, movement, and everyday use.
This allows more people to engage with cultural fashion without feeling like they’re dressing up. A jacket with a mandarin collar or a top with frog buttons doesn’t require a special event. It can be worn as part of a regular outfit. The result is a wardrobe that feels rooted in identity while remaining current and functional.
The influence of Chinese heritage is now visible in a range of clothing categories, from loungewear and outerwear to office wear and casual basics. For many women, it’s not about making a statement, but about having clothing that reflects both personal taste and cultural background.
