FAQ

Yes! People of all ethnicities, religions, and cultures can wear hanfu.

Remember to wear it properly, respectfully, and in a non-sexual way.

It's a nuanced question, as is all questions regarding wearing of cultural clothing.

It's always best to educate yourself on the history and types of garments, you can find information on the history behind these pieces on our Learn the History tab or on our independent blog: Nüwa's Encyclopedia.

Please understand that the viewpoints of Nüwa Hanfu does NOT represent the viewpoints of all Chinese people (mainland Chinese, Chinese-Americans, and other diaspora).

If you don't feel comfortable with wearing a full hanfu set, maybe start with traditional style jewelry or HanYuanSu 汉元素 which is a modernized version of hanfu clothing meant for everyone to enjoy!

Please understand that the viewpoints of Nüwa Hanfu does NOT represent the viewpoints of all Chinese people (mainland Chinese, Chinese-Americans, and other diaspora).

Yes! As long as you wear the hanfu properly, respectfully, and in a non-sexualized way.

Please be careful to remain true to the history and the roots of hanfu.

Qing Dynasty clothing, including clothing for Manchurian & Han women, is widely regarded as a separate entity from hanfu for two main reasons:

1. It was not a Han-ruled dynasty. Like other dynasties such as the Yuan, clothing from non-Han ruled eras are not regarded as hanfu.
2. Hanfu was banned during the Qing Dynasty. By order of the then government, Han men and women were to wear Manchurian clothing and adopt the same hairstyles (hello queues!)

Thus, Qing Dynasty clothing is typically separated from hanfu.

These rules typically apply to other non-Han ruled eras such as the Yuan Dynasty (which was Mongolian ruled).

Qipao is the same case due to it being a more modern 20th century garment, however remains a beloved garment for people across the world.

Most of our items will require your bust, waist, and hip measurements.

To ensure correct fit, please follow this guide to measure yourself.

Recommended to use tailor's measuring tape.

How Should I Measure My Bust?

1. Wear a well-fitting bra (not padded) or no bra.
2. Stand straight with your arms relaxed at your sides.
3. Place the measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust, ensuring it's parallel to the ground.
4. Make sure the tape is snug but not too tight, and it should lie flat against your skin without indenting it.
5. Take the measurement in centimeters.

How Should I Measure My Waist?

1. Stand up straight with your abdomen relaxed.
2. Locate your natural waist, which is the narrowest part of your torso. It's typically above your belly button and below your rib cage.
3. Wrap the measuring tape around your waist, ensuring it's snug but not constricting.
4. Keep the tape parallel to the ground.
5. Take the measurement in centimeters.

How Should I Measure My Hips?

1. Stand with your feet together.
2. Identify the fullest part of your hips, usually around the hip bone.
3. Wrap the measuring tape around this part of your hips, ensuring it's parallel to the ground.
4. Keep the tape snug but not tight, allowing it to glide easily over the fullest part of your buttocks.
5. Take the measurement in inches or centimeters.

How Should I Measure My Wingspan?

1. Stand Up Straight: Position yourself comfortably with your arms relaxed at your sides.
2. Extend Your Arms: Raise your arms out to the sides at shoulder height, creating a straight line from one wrist to the other.
3. Locate Your Wrists: Identify the outer edge of each wrist (where your hand meets your wrist).
4. Use the Measuring Tape: Place the measuring tape at the outer edge of one wrist and extend it across your back to the outer edge of the opposite wrist.
5. Ensure a Straight Line: Make sure the measuring tape is taut but not constricting, and keep it parallel to the ground for accuracy.
6. Take the Measurement: Record the distance in centimeters.

Note that Chinese sizes are typically smaller than US sizes.

To avoid wrong sizings, please refer to the sizing chart in the photos.

Please measure in centimeters.

Many hanfu skirts are measured by width rather than traditional waist sizing.

The width is the total horizontal length of the skirt fabric, measured by laying the skirt flat and measuring from end to end.

To find your fit:

1. Take the measuring tape and find the skirt's width
2. Wrap the width's length around your waist. There should be a considerable overlap of 10-12 cm (or more) to ensure a secure fit and to allow the skirt to tie properly.

While the width is important for the overall fit, it's also crucial to check the skirt's length to ensure it matches your height.

If the brand provides recommended waist measurements, these are guidelines for the ideal waist size the skirt should fit.

To measure the waist:

1. Find the narrowest part of your torso. This is usually above your belly button and below your rib cage.
2. Take a flexible measuring tape and wrap it around your waist at the natural waistline. Make sure the tape is snug but not too tight.

If the sizing chart includes this information, it’s best to consider those recommendations to avoid guessing based on width alone.

It is also recommended to measure the waist wearing a large sweater to ensure it can layer well!

Please hand wash carefully as to not ruin the embroidery, jewels, or buttons.

Please air dry or lay flat. Hand washing and air drying also extends the life of your hanfu.

Please steam out the wrinkles. Be extremely careful with ironing; iron on the lowest temperature setting to avoid melting through the delicate fabrics!

Do not use bleach.

If you would like to clean hair accessories, please use an alcohol or antibacterial wet wipe to gently wipe it down.

For leather bags, follow the same steps as washing hair accessories.

For cloth bags, please spot clean with soap, water, and a small towel. 

Do not use bleach.