chinese clothing's blog: "Touch of Asian style"

Traditional Chinese-style madded jacket may remind some people of the old times. In those days Chinese people did not know that their everyday clothing style-such as qipao, dudo (an undergarment covering the chest and abdomen), and madded jacket - would last for thousands of years and become the favorites of modern Chinese women. Of course, the simple Chinese-style clothes of the old time have been updated and beautified. On the street you'll find many Chinese women dressing in Chinese-style jacket. The low straight collar, beautiful coiled buttons and embroidery patterns on the jackets can be seen as the symbols of the Chinese style. Updated with modern design and fashionable colors, these modest jackets can show the graceful and peaceful disposition of a person. Madded jacket, the well-known old Chinese style dress, has been popular for centuries. These days it is made of cotton or tapestry satin. The high neck, slit skirt show the beautiful of a woman. Women like dress it in winter days. The beauty it inspires will impress all the passengers. It can also be seen in the hotels or restaurants where the female attendants and waitresses wear them to give a good impression to the guests or show the style the hotel has. Personal collections of artistic photos are very popular among young people in China. The women usually wear Chinese-style dresses for the photos. Lovely girls with the traditional dresses look just like ladies from an ancient family of good social standing. The wadded jacket has become the daily wear of the bold and vanguard young ladies in winter. In winter the jacket feels great to wear. Chinese-style fashion has drastically changed over time, the way Chinese dressed and the fashion trend of the country were also changing. Especially in some big city, the women like chinese-style jackets much more. Some girl want to show their special. So its not just the hostesses on TV who like to sport Chinese-style clothes when hosting a program or a talk show, ordinary people like to wear them too. Chinese women will certainly become more and more beautifully dressed as the heritage of Chinese-style clothes evolve.

India and Nepal are perhaps the best example of unity in diversity - different religions, language, customs and culture. There are differences in terms of tradition, lifestyle and fashion amongst the Indian people but the one change that cannot be ignored amidst all is the rising popularity of the Indo western Dresses. With Globalization, conventional ways of putting on salwar kameez and saris gave way to modern trends and styles. With greater number of Indian women from different age groups casting their vote in favor of western apparels, designers are thinking of novel ways to revamp the good old sarees or the traditional salwar kameez. The current trend in Indian fashion is Fusion wear. Western necklines, waistlines, cuts, length and fabrics are now being merged to Indian wear. This union of the east and west has fashioned some truly inimitable looks that are extremely up to date. Not only are they high on style quotient but they are extremely comfortable to wear. The Indo western dresses are also easier-to-manage and have sleeker looks quite like their Western counterparts. The Indo Western Dresses look sexier maintaining the coy look that Traditional Indian dresses provide. Necklines popular in the West are now being adapted in Indian Dresses to lend a contemporary touch. Though in the past, Indian women wore cotton blouses with full sleeves devoid of embellishments with predominance of Western influence, different styles of blouses like puffed sleeves, halter-neck, deep necks, and lycra-fitted blouses have made its way to the Indian women's wardrobe. The regular length of blouses has lessened too. A halter or strappy top over a straight salwar, large armholes, spaghetti straps Noodle straps are all western borrowings that are adapted well in Indian blouses or salwar tops. Straight cut pants has outcasted the traditional churidar. Spaghetti straps, sleeveless tops, slit pants, deeper necklines and better fitted kurtas are now the fashion rage of the season. Indo-western influences are evident in "kurta," or long "kurti," which is modern style of salwar kameez. There is a wide variety of fusion wear available in market to pick from such as crinkled crepe skirts, flowing tops over leggings, and bead work in A lined skirts or the Kurta motifs over track pants. The current empire line with broad borders in bold colors is the hottest addition in the long list of gorgeous Indo western dresses. Embroidery and Motifs is significant in Indo western dresses. Motifs of flowers, elephants, leaf, peacock and Gods are designed on shirts or denim wear. Dresses have simple thread works in silver or satin or gold chain stitches. Payal and ghungrus on shirts or crystals are now being added for the purpose of embellishments. Denims are now decorated with a dash of sequins and colored artificial pearls. Animal prints on salwar suits also give a cool western look. Floral cotton shirts and tasseled stoles, kurtis having Indian embroidery, pencil long skirts with a handkerchief cut kurta clearly reveal the rising popularity of the fusion trend. It's an undoubted fact that the dash of Indo-western fusion concept has spiced up the Indian wardrobe putting India at par with the international fashion scenario. For a woman, wearing accessories and wearing it properly is hard work. We women know it is an art. We are constantly on the look out for accessories and tools to help us get the job done quickly, efficiently, and right the first time. Starting over is just a hassle and takes more time than most of us really have. With that being said, what are the must have on the market today? You are about to find out. Accessories must is enjoyable. At the same time, many of these accessories can travel with us whether traveling across town or across the world. Every Woman Must Have Nepal Makeup Mirrors Makeup mirrors come in several different types, sizes, shapes, and magnification. These are an essential tool in makeup application. While many of you will argue that you have a bathroom mirror, makeup mirrors are specific to makeup application. These mirrors are magnified to allow you to completely see what you are doing and best of all, many of them are transportable.The Nepal mirror is decorated with colorful patterns, the best and fashionable design. Makeup mirrors come in many different sizes from the integrated ones within your actual makeup or compact for quick access while out and about all the way to hand-held or lighted mirrors. Many women own many mirrors, some for travel and some for home, depending on their preferences. Beauty accessories are everywhere and will always be there for women. If you go to a department store, the women's beauty section is full of displays and products that women simply find irresistible. Many companies invest on these products simply because they are in demand. And billions of dollars are spent in buying these beauty accessories world-wide to enhance the beauty of the customer. But in fact, there have many cheap but beautiful accessories existing in this market, for example, the Nepal accessories. Here are the top 2 indispensable India and Nepal beauty accessories that women love to have: (1) Fragrances and skin/body products Everybody know Indian Fragrances and skin products are famous in the world, so it’s the best choice for your body for relaxing. Colognes, perfumes, body mists, lotions and other skin and body products have become basic necessities as well. Women love to feel and look good, and of course they also love to smell good for their loved ones and friends. Billions are spent on buying these products year after year. These are great gifts for women; and most men know that. (2) Jewelry Jewelry is a sought-after beauty accessory that never goes out of style. Some women go overboard with jewelry by wearing them from top to toe. Some love the minimalist style. And some are in between. You'll never go wrong with classic designs as these are timeless and complementary to almost any fashion style and taste. Among those jewelry, Nepal jewelry have the good design and can make women more attractive. Women are so vain! NOT! Beauty accessories have become a core necessity in maintaining and enhancing the natural beauty of women. Some men are picking up on this trend because everyone deserves to feel and look beautiful.

Chinese style Learn how to get a beautiful and rich, exotic look in your home. Choose a Chinese interior design style, for the ultimate in color, pattern and opulence for your home. A fantastic style to consider... If you are interested in Asian Decorating styles, or oriental interior design, then take a look at this Chinese influenced look - for a really dramatic and unusual design scheme. The term oriental decor refers to designs and schemes from the East (also know as 'The Far East'). This refers to countries like China, Japan, Thailand, orea and Vietnam, as well as other countries in the east. The main countries to provide the inspiration for oriental interior design schemes are China and Japan. The Chinese look is a vibrant look - filled with color and pattern. It is a fantastic look for people who want to bring a little bit of the exotic into their lives. It is an unusual look, but relaxing, cosy, and easy to live with. Walls and Color •Typical Chinese interior design colors are red and black. The red is a bright, rich primary red. •Also use other rich and bright colors, like blue, yellow or green. •A little bit of gold decoration is a vital part of Chinese color and design. Your walls can be plain (but richly colored), or patterned with wallpaper. Try to choose a wallpaper pattern with an oriental inspiration - such as oriental paintting and calligraphy, framed art and so on. As an alternative, if you feel your home is too small or dark for such bright colors, or if you are not massively into colors, but still want to get the oriental feel in your room, try a very pale and neutral background - and get the oriental feel with the furniture and accessories (more on that later..!) Furniture Ornate furniture is a very important part of Chinese interior design. Suitable furniture is typically Chinese - quality wood, with a very fine, glossy lacquer, in black, or varying shades of red. The furniture will have decorative carving, ornate inlays or very detailed and beautiful paintings, and fancy handles. These are very striking statement pieces - so you probably don't want to dilute the effect, by filling your room with a jumble of different designs or colors. Choose one (or even several) statement furniture pieces in this typical Chinese oriental style. The rest of your furniture should be pretty low-key - ideally in a plain black, or dark wood. Accessories Accessories are the best place to really get an authentic Chinese oriental interior design look. Use Chinese paper lanterns for your lighting - these will give quite a soft, warming glow to your room - and a very relaxing atmosphere. Look out for rich, opulent fabrics - such as richly embroidered silks, in Chinese designs. Look for ornaments and fabrics with the following, typically Chinese motifs: animals and mystical beasts - monkeys, dragons and tigers, also beautiful flowers, birds and fish. Try to include some beautiful Chinese ceramics and pottery in your oriental interior design scheme. Look for the above same designs and motifs on bowls, plates, pots, vases and ginger jars. Blue and white pottery is a very typical Chinese design style - so try to include some in your oriental design scheme. It is worthwhile scouring flea markets, antique stalls and especially eBay, for unique Chinese treasures... Take a look at this live feed from eBay. It is constantly updated. Just click on any product for further information, or to bid or buy. Hope you get some great bargains The Chinese oriental interior design style is a really beautiful and striking look for your home. It is actually quite easy to achieve, as well - it only takes a splash of authentic color, and a few of the correct accessories to get the right look. If you choose this look, you will get a very dramatic look - but one that you can relax in and be proud of...

Have you even heard Shadow play? If you have, are you wondering what exactly it is and how it is performed? If not, do you want to join us in this discovery of shadow play which is centuries-old and deeply-rooted in the folk life in China? Let’s talk about it now. What is shadow play? It is perhaps as hard to define as it is easy to enjoy. Shadow Play is one of the most popular folk opera with stage props in China. It is a kind of performing art with manifold arias and genres. As an ancient form of storytelling and entertainment, it uses opaque, often articulated figures in front of an illuminated backdrop to create the illusion of moving images. And you can find some common ground between it with puppet play for they are both performed by means of props. And then, how did this unordinary art formed in China? It is quite indefinite. Legend has it that Emperor Wudi of the Western Han Dynasty became depressed after the death of his favorite concubine. To help him cope with his loss, an occultist sculpted a wooden figure in her likeness and projected the sculpture's shadow on a curtain for the emperor. Seeing the shadow was a source of comfort to the emperor, who believed the shadow was her spirit. That is the story of how Chinese shadow plays began. The folk art became flourished in the Song Dynasty. Its popularity culminated in the Yuan Dynasty, when it was a common form of recreation in the barracks of Mongolian troops. The conquering Mongols spread it to distant countries - Persia, Arabia and Turkey. Later, it was introduced to Southeastern Asian countries. It gained popularity in Europe in the mid-18th century, after French missionaries to China took the shadow figures back to France. Fascinated by the figures, they began performing shadow plays. In 1767, such performances were put on in Paris and Marseilles. Famous German poet Goethe in 1774 introduced a Chinese shadow play to a German audience at an exhibition. He was extremely fond of this oriental art form. On August 28, 1781 he celebrated his 32nd birthday with a Chinese shadow play performance. Today, shadow puppets are made of leather instead of wood because leather is lighter, easier to manipulate and less difficult to carry. The puppets are painted with colors representing different human qualities - kindness, wickedness, beauty or ugliness. During performances, the "actors", controlled by guiding sticks, are held close to a white curtain, and their colored shadows are cast on the cloth by a powerful light. Behind the curtain the performers manipulate the silhouettes to act, accompanied by songs, music or dialogues. The plays can be quite dramatic and, when it comes to fairy tales or kungfu stories, the "actors" may be made to ride on clouds or perform unusual feats, to audiences' enjoyment, like the one entitled "Monkey King's fights against Ox-King" recently staged at the shadow play hall in the National Museum of China in Beijing. I like traditional arts, so I really hope this classic folk art could be spread all over the world. And now more or less you acquaint yourself with shadow play, I hope you can enjoy it once you have a chance!

True friendship is one of the greatest gifts that a person can ever ask for. However, many-a-times, you feel like giving material gifts to your friends, just for expressing how much they mean to you and how much your care for them. Selecting a gift for your friend is not at all a difficult task. This is because, being so close to him/her, you are well aware of his/her likes, dislikes, tastes and preferences. Apart from the usual market-bought gifts, you can also try to make homemade presents for your friends, making them feel all the more special. In the following lines, we have listed some of the best gift ideas for friends, just to help you out. Gift Ideas For Friends •One of the best gift items for your friend will comprise of a photo frame, containing an old photograph of the two of you. If it is possible, you can also make the frame at home only. •If your friend has tea as one of his/her favorite beverages, gift him/her a set of teacups. If it is coffee that he/she likes, then giving a personalized coffee mug is the perfect option. •When it comes to gifts for friends, personalized items rule the roost. Special pictures printed on a t-shirt with the words 'My Best Friend' written underneath it. •These days, fashion accessories have become popular as gift items, be it for a boy or a girl. You can go for bracelets, earrings, neck chains, and so on, depending on the taste of your friend. If you looking for a present for your friend's birthday, then choosing a best accessories for him/her, the traditonal Chinese is the best choice •For a friend who loves reading and writing, then gifting him/her a collection of his/her favorite author and the special designed notebook is a very good idea. •Perfumes and deodorants can also be a very good choice as far as friend's gifts are concerned. In this regard, Chinese special incense is the best, depending upon the taste of your friend. •If your friend is fond of sports, then gifting accessories related to his/her favorite sport will be a good idea. At the same time, introducing your friend some more interesting sports is the best, for example, the sports from China and Asia Parents are the pivotal figure all our life. They are the starting point of life, the sustainer of well-being, and the school of love. Parent-child relation is the most powerful of human bonds. Celebrated on the 4th Sunday of every July, Parents Day is a way of expressing our gratitude for our parents. An all-acknowledged truth, parenting is the hardest job of all. Parents bring up their children with strength, courage, and dedication. Their only reward is the successful upbringing of their children. And, of course, the rewards are exquisite. There is nothing more delightful for children to see their children reaping fruits of success in life. Love is the ultimate answer of love. And it is your duty to reciprocate the love of your parents. They would feel good for getting a little recognition for a job well done. It is your duty to take out time to enjoy your day with your parents in the way that pleases them the best. On Parents Day, show that you care for them. Gifts for Father You know what your father likes to do in his spare time. Gift him anything based on his interests and liking. If he is an avid book lover, you could opt for books on various topics like fiction and nonfiction. If he is interested in traveling, nature, computers, science, literature or classics, you could choose anything on these topics. If he is a music lover, you could choose from a wide variety of music ranging from pop, jazz, instrumental, movie songs and classics. In fact, now Chinese style is fashionalbe in the world. So choosing for your Daddy one Chinese Clothese, for example, jacket or shirt is really well. Gifts for Mother As the gift for father, your mother’s gift also can choose chinese style clothes. It is the best for show.

Chinese martial arts, known in Mandarin as wushu (traditional Chinese: 武術; simplified Chinese: 武术; pinyin: wǔshù) and popularly as kungfu (Chinese: 功夫 pinyin: gōngfū), consist of a number of fighting styles that were developed over the centuries. Those fighting styles can be classified according to common themes that are identified as "families" (家, jiā), "sects" (派, pai) or "schools" (門, men) of martial arts. Example of themes are physical exercises that mimic movements from animals or a history and training method that gather inspiration from various Chinese philosophies, myths and legends. Some styles focus on the the harnessing of qi and are labeled internal (内家拳), while others concentrate on improving muscle and cardiovascular fitness and are labeled external (外家拳). Geographical association, as in northern (北拳) and southern (南拳), is another popular method of categorization. Each fighting style offers a different approach to the common problems of self-defense, health, and self-cultivation from a Chinese perspective.

Terminology

Kung fu and wushu are popular terms that have become synonymous with Chinese martial arts. However, the Chinese terms kung fu (Chinese: 功夫 pinyin: gōngfū) and wushu (simplified Chinese: 武术; traditional Chinese: 武術; pinyin: wǔshù listen (help•info); Cantonese: móuh-seuht) have very different meanings. The Chinese literal equivalent of "Chinese martial art" would be 中國武術 zhōngguó wǔshù.

In Chinese, kung fu can be used in contexts completely unrelated to martial arts, and refers colloquially to any individual accomplishment or skill cultivated through long and hard work [1]. In contrast, wushu is a more precise term for general martial activities.

Wǔshù literally means "martial art". It is written with two Chinese characters, 武術: 武 (wǔ), meaning, "martial" or "military", and 術 (shù), which translates into "discipline", "skill" or "method".

The term wushu has also become the name for a modern sport similar to gymnastics, involving the performance of adapted Chinese bare-handed and weapons forms (tàolù 套路) judged to a set of contemporary aesthetic criteria for points.

History

Ancient depiction of fighting monks practicing the art of self-defense.

Descriptions of Chinese martial arts can be traced to the Xia Dynasty (夏朝) which existed more than 4000 years ago. Their origin is attributed to self-defense needs, hunting activities and military training in ancient China. Hand-to-hand combat and weapons practice were important components in the training of Chinese soldiers. From this beginning, Chinese martial arts proceeded to incorporate different philosophies and ideas into its practice—expanding its purpose from self-defense to health maintenance and finally as method of self-cultivation. Conversely, the influence of martial ideals in civilian society can be found in poetry, fiction, and eventually film.

According to tradition, the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi, traditional date of ascension to the throne 2698 BCE) introduced the earliest fighting systems to China. The Yellow Emperor is described as a famous general who, before becoming China’s leader, wrote lengthy treatises on medicine, astrology and the martial arts. He allegedly developed the practice of jiao di or horn-butting and utilized it in war

Shǒubó (手搏), practiced during the Shang dynasty (1766–1066 BCE), and Xiang Bo (similar to Sanda) from the 600s BCE, are just two examples of ancient Chinese martial arts. In 509 BCE, Confucius suggested to Duke Ding of Lu that people practice the literary arts as well as the martial arts; thus, wushu began to be practised by ordinary citizens external to the military and religious sects. A combat wrestling system called juélì or jiǎolì (角力) is mentioned in the Classic of Rites (1st c. BCE). This combat system included techniques such as strikes, throws, joint manipulation, and pressure point attacks. Jiao Di became a sport during the Qin Dynasty (221–207 BCE). The Han History Bibliographies record that, by the Former Han (206 BCE – 8 CE), there was a distinction between no-holds-barred weaponless fighting, which it calls shǒubó (手搏), for which "how-to" manuals had already been written, and sportive wrestling, then known as juélì or jiǎolì (角力). Wrestling is also documented in the Shǐ Jì, Records of the Grand Historian, written by Sima Qian (ca. 100 BCE).

A hand to hand combat theory, including the integration of notions of "hard" and "soft" techniques, is expounded in the story of the Maiden of Yue in the Spring and Autumn Annals of Wu and Yue (5th c. BCE).

In the Tang Dynasty, descriptions of sword dances were immortalized in poems by Li Bai. In the Song and Yuan dynasties, xiangpu (a predecessor of sumo) contests were sponsored by the imperial courts. The modern concepts of wushu were fully developed by the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Martial arts are also mentioned in Chinese philosophy. Passages in the Zhuangzi (庄子), a Daoist text, pertain to the psychology and practice of martial arts. Zhuangzi, its eponymous author, is believed to have lived in the 4th century BCE. The Tao Te Ching, often credited to Lao Zi, is another Daoist text that contains principles applicable to martial arts. According to one of the classic texts of Confucianism, Zhou Li (周禮/周礼), Archery and charioteering were part of the "six arts" (traditional Chinese: 六藝; simplified Chinese: 六艺; pinyin: liu yi, including rites, music, calligraphy and mathematics) of the Zhou Dynasty (1122–256 BCE). The Art of War ( 孫子兵法), written during the 6th century BCE by Sun Tzu ( 孫子), deals directly with military warfare but contains ideas that are used in the Chinese martial arts. Those examples shows the ideas associated with Chinese martial arts changed with the evolving Chinese society and over time acquired a philosophical basis.

Daoist practitioners have been practicing Tao Yin, physical exercises similar to Qigong that was one of the progenitors to Tai Chi Chuan, at least since as early as 500 BCE. In 39–92 CE, "Six Chapters of Hand Fighting", were included in the Han Shu (history of the Former Han Dynasty) written by Pan Ku. Also, the noted physician, Hua Tuo, composed the "Five Animals Play"—tiger, deer, monkey, bear, and bird, around 220 BCE. Daoist philosophy and their approach to health and exercise might have influenced, to a certain extent, the Chinese martial arts.

With regards to the Shaolin style of wushu, it is regarded as the first institutionalised Chinese martial art. However, the oldest evidence of Shaolin participation in combat is a stele from 728 CE that attests to two occasions: a defense of the Shaolin Monastery from bandits around 610 CE, and their subsequent role in the defeat of Wang Shichong at the Battle of Hulao in 621 CE From the 8th to the 15th centuries, there are no extant documents that provide evidence of Shaolin participation in combat. However, between the 16th and 17th centuries there are at least forty extant sources which provided evidence that, not only did monks of Shaolin practice martial arts, but martial practice had become such an integral element of Shaolin monastic life that the monks felt the need to justify it by creating new Buddhist lore. References of martial arts practice in Shaolin appear in various literary genres of the late Ming: the epitaphs of Shaolin warrior monks, martial-arts manuals, military encyclopedias, historical writings, travelogues, fiction and poetry. However these sources do not point out to any specific style originated in Shaolin. These sources, in contrast to those from the Tang period, refer to Shaolin methods of armed combat. This include the forte of Shaolin monks and for which they had become famous — the staff (gun, pronounced as "goon").The Ming General Qi Jiguang included description of Shaolin Quan fa (Pinyin quánfǎ or Wade-Giles ch'üan2 fa3, 拳法 "fist principles") and staff techniques in his book, Ji Xiao Xin Shu (紀效新書) that title can be translated as "New Book Recording Effective Techniques". When this book spread to East Asia, it had a great influence on the development of martial arts in regions such as Okinawa and Korea.

The fighting styles that are practiced today were developed over the centuries, after having incorporated forms that came into existence later. Some of these include Bagua, Drunken Boxing, Eagle Claw, Five Animals, Hsing I, Hung Gar, Lau Gar, Monkey, Bak Mei Pai, Praying Mantis, Fujian White Crane, Wing Chun and Tai Chi Chuan.

In 1900-01, the Righteous and Harmonious Fists rose against foreign occupiers and Christian missionaries in China. This uprising is known in the West as the Boxer Rebellion due to the martial arts and calisthenics practiced by the rebels. Though it originally opposed the Manchu Qing Dynasty, the Empress Dowager Cixi gained control of the rebellion and tried to use it against the foreign powers. The failure of the rebellion lead ten years later to the fall of the Qing Dynasty and the creation of the Chinese Republic.

The present view of Chinese martial arts are strongly influenced by the events of the Republican Period (1912–1949). In the transition period between the fall of the Qing Dynasty as well as the turmoils of the Japanese invasion and the Chinese Civil War, Chinese martial arts became more accessible to the general public as many martial artists were encouraged to openly teach their art. At that time, some considered martial arts as a means to promote national pride and build a strong nation. As a result, many training manuals (拳谱) were published, a training academy was created, 2 National examinations were organized as well as demonstration teams travelled overseas and numerous martial arts associations were formed throughout China and in various overseas Chinese communities. The Central Guoshu Academy (Zhongyang Guoshuguan, 中央國術館/中央国术馆) established by the National Government in 1928[21] and the Jing Wu Athletic Association (精武體育會/精武体育会) founded by Huo Yuanjia in 1910 are examples of organizations that promoted a systematic approach for training in Chinese martial arts. A series of provincial and national competitions were organized by the Republican government starting in 1932 to promote Chinese martial arts. In 1936, at the 11th Olympic Games in Berlin, a group of Chinese martial artists demonstrated their art to an international audience for the first time. Eventually, those events lead to the popular view of martial arts as a sport.

Chinese martial arts started to spread internationally with the end of the Chinese Civil War and the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949. Many well known martial artists chose to escape from the PRC's rule and migrate to Taiwan, Hong Kong,[25] and other parts of the world. Those masters started to teach within the overseas Chinese communities but eventually they expanded their teachings to include people from other ethnic groups.

Within China, the practice of traditional martial arts was discouraged during the turbulent years of the Chinese Cultural Revolution (1969–1976). Like many other aspects of traditional Chinese life, martial arts were subjected to a radical transformation by the People's Republic of China in order to align them with Maoist revolutionary doctrine. The PRC promoted the committee-regulated sport of Wushu as a replacement to independent schools of martial arts. This new competition sport was disassociated from what was seen as the potentially subversive self-defense aspects and family lineages of Chinese martial arts Rhetorically, they also encouraged the use of the term Kuoshu (or Guoshu meaning "the arts of the nation"), rather than the colloquial term gongfu, in an effort to more closely associate Chinese martial arts with national pride rather than individual accomplishment. In 1958, the government established the All-China Wushu Association as an umbrella organization to regulate martial arts training. The Chinese State Commission for Physical Culture and Sports took the lead in creating standardized forms for most of the major arts. During this period, a national Wushu system that included standard forms, teaching curriculum, and instructor grading was established. Wushu was introduced at both the high school and university level. The suppression of traditional teaching was relaxed during the Era of Reconstruction (1976–1989), as Communist ideology became more accommodating to alternative viewpoints. In 1979, the State Commission for Physical Culture and Sports created a special task force to reevaluate the teaching and practice of Wushu. In 1986, the Chinese National Research Institute of Wushu was established as the central authority for the research and administration of Wushu activities in the People's Republic of China. Changing government policies and attitudes towards sports in general lead to the closing of the State Sports Commission (the central sports authority) in 1998. This closure is viewed as an attempt to partially de-politicize organized sports and move Chinese sport policies towards a more market-driven approach. As a result of these changing sociological factors within China, both traditional styles and modern Wushu approaches are being promoted by the Chinese government. Chinese martial arts are now an integral element of Chinese culture.

Imagine this situation….You tired after a long day of work and dressed in silky satin nightwear, just pushing yourself underneath the white sheets. Then you feel this caressed by these silky satin pajamas. I’m sure none of you would like to miss out on this feeling.

Most of the Japanese pajamas are made of Satin. It is a 2-piece set and has a Kimono like top and shorts. Jinbei can be worn outside or inside as a pajama. Jinbei has been enjoyed by Japanese men for a long time because of its casualness and comfort. It is also considered as the most preferred outfit to wear, when they want to relax and drink some beer on the patio deck on a hot sunny day!!

In Japan, Yukata href="http://www.goodorient.com/" was mainly worn to the fireworks displays and the summer festivals. However, the popularity of this traditional clothing, Yukata, is growing. More designers for Yukata are emerging. More fashion magazines are covering about the Yukata every year. For this reason, you see more people wearing a Yukata on the street today as a fashion trend. Luckily in U.S, there are Japanese related events and festivals in most of the big cities. Therefore, you can wear a Yukata to those places. If you are interested in Anime, you can wear it to the Anime conventions. Also, if you are into fashion, you can wear it to some fashion events or shows. Another great thing you can do with a Yukata is to use it as a decoration of the house. If you own a Yukata, why don't you showcase the beauty of it. It will bring a very elegant Ethnic flavor to your home for sure!!

Jinbei was originally made to wear as a pajama. However, Jinbei is worn to the fireworks displays, summer events, and even on the street nowadays. It is up to you if you want to wear it to some Japan related events in U.S or wear it inside the house as a pajama. Because of its comfortableness, Jinbei is considered as a favorable outfit to wear when you drink some beer on the deck on the hot sunny day. If you like an art, you can also frame your Jinbei and display it in your wall. That would be a very nice Asian theme decoration and sure to bring a new flavor to your house.

For Women, however, might need some practice to get used to. In Japan, some people even pay for someone to help you wearing Yukata. Therefore we wouldn't say it is very easy, However, Yukata doesn't require lots of layers of undergarments like other types of Kimono do. This makes Yukata much easier to wear. There are two parts which could be troublesome for someone who wears a Yukata for the first time. One is when you fold the Yukata around the waist to make an Ohashori ( folded fabric which can be seen below an Obi) and the other is where you have to make a ribbon (or Other shapes) with an Obi. If you are totally new to Yukata, we recommend for you to get a Tsukuri-Obi which already has a pre-tied ribbon for easy wear. It is not very difficult to wear a Yukata, however we strongly recommend to practice before the day you actually wear it. Once you practice and learn how to wear a Yukata, you can wear it with no time. For Men... it is very easy. Since men do not have to make an Ohashori ( folded fabric around the waist ), you wear Yukata just like you wear a robe. Just make sure to pick the right Yukata size for you.

With the Silky satin Pajamas as your nightwear, get ready to feel cozy and curly with your partner, and make those nights more sensuous. These pajamas are easy to wear, need less care, and you can just wear them in your house while you are having a holiday. That will help you cool yourself in summers and feel cozy in those chilly winters. You will feel loose and relaxed when you wear this nightwear.

This nightwear comes in every possible shade. You can choose from the deep shades to make you look bold to the pretty and romantic pastel shades. The red satin and deep blue pajamas are real hot stuff to wear as a nightwear. While you have all the other colours to choose from, white colour emerges as a winner. The white colored pajamas always give you a sense of feminine and purity. They evoke an aura of innocence, which might prove to be a very erotic underwear for your man. While white colour is pure, black colour suggests you are passionate and adventurous.

The modern Chinese tunic suit is a style of male attire known in China as the Chungshan suit or Zhongshan suit (traditional Chinese: 中山裝; simplified Chinese: 中山装; pinyin: Zhōngshān zhuāng) (after Sun Zhongshan), and known in the West as the Mao suit (after Mao Zedong). Sun Zhongshan (better known as Sun Yat-sen) introduced the style shortly after the founding of the Republic of China as a form of national dress although with a distinctly political and later governmental implication.

After the end of the Chinese Civil War and the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the suit became widely worn by males and government leaders as a symbol of proletarian unity and an Eastern counterpart to the Western business suit. The name "Mao suit" comes from Chinese leader Mao Zedong's affinity for wearing them in public, thus tying the garment closely to him and Chinese communism in general in the Western imagination. Although they fell into disuse in the 1990s amid increasing Western influences, they are still worn on occasion by Chinese leaders during important state ceremonies and functions.

Origins

When the Republic was founded in 1912, and the style of dress worn in China was based on Manchu dress (qipao and changshan), which had been imposed by the Qing Dynasty as a form of social control. The majority-Han Chinese revolutionaries who overthrew the Qing were fueled by failure of the Qing to defend China against western imperialists and the low standing of the Qing in terms of technology and science compared to the West. Even before the founding of the Republic, older forms of Chinese dress were becoming unpopular among the elite and led to the development of Chinese dress which combined the cheongsam and the Western hat to form a new dress. The Zhongshan suit is similar development which combined Western and Eastern fashions. It should be noted that until 1949 on the mainland and the 1980s in Taiwan, the civilian, non- political attire for males in China was not this tunic suit but a gown and over-jacket.

The Zhongshan suit was an attempt to cater to "modern" sensibilities without completely adopting Western styles wholesale. Dr. Sun Yat-sen was personally involved, providing inputs based on his life experience in Japan: the Japanese cadet uniform became the basis of Zhongshan suit. There were other modifications as well: instead of the three hidden pockets in Western suits, the Zhongshan suit had four outside pockets to adhere to Chinese concepts of balance and symmetry. Over time, minor stylistic changes developed. The suit originally had seven buttons, later reduced to five.

After repeated attempts to win support and recognition from Western countries failed, the Nationalist Party government in Canton led by Dr. Sun gained help (advisers and critically vital small arms) from Soviet Russia, which viewed it as a likely revolutionary ally against Western interests in the Far East; Chinese nationalism at the time (of treaty ports and extra-territoriality discriminations) was naturally heavily infected with resentment against the West. As a result of this geopolitical alignment, Dr. Sun agreed to permit the nascent Chinese Communist Party to join the Nationalist Party -- as individual members -- not as a party-party union, combination or alliance. As a result, early Communist Party members adopted the attire as a mark of joining the Nationalist Party. Ironically, from that practice during an attenuated political marriage of convenience which would soon be divorced in blood (in 1927), Asian Marxist movements and governments henceforth would all consider this attire as a standard of political coloration, and it would continue to be appropriate dress for both sides of the bitter Chinese civil wars lasting decades.

After Sun Yat-sen's death in 1925, popular mythology assigned a revolutionary and patriotic significance to the Zhongshan suit. The four pockets were said to represent the Four Virtues cited in the classic Guanzi. The five center-front buttons were said to represent the five Yuans (branches of government) cited in the constitution of the Republic of China and the three cuff-buttons to symbolize Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People.

Historical development

Mao, wearing the suit, meets Nixon

In the 1920s and 1930s, civil servants of the Chinese government were required to wear the Zhongshan zhuang. A slightly modified version of the suit, adapted for combat, formed the basis for National Revolutionary Army army uniforms leading up through the Second Sino-Japanese War, although during the 1930s, as German military advice and assistance to the National Government waxed, the formal military uniform in the professional elements and ranks essentially became that of Weimar and then Nazi Germany (including the famous helmet).

After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, and especially during the long initial period marked by intensive Maoist indoctrination and mass oppression through waves of purges and campaigns and "criticism/struggle" culminating with the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution from 1965-76 when Mao himself died, the suit became widely worn by the entire male population, formally as a symbol of proletarian unity, but in fact as a form of personal -- and virtually camouflage -- coloration; it was, of course, regularly worn by Communist Party cadres until the 1990s when it was largely replaced by the Western business suit.

The Mao suit remained the standard formal dress for the first and second generations of PRC leaders such as Deng Xiaoping. During the 1990s, it began to be worn with decreasing frequency by leaders of Jiang Zemin's generation. Jiang wore it only on special occasions, such as to state dinners, but this practice was almost totally discontinued by his successor Hu Jintao.[1] By the early part of the 21st century, the Mao suit is rarely worn even on formal occasions. The military-green version of the suit is more often worn, usually by civilian party officials wishing to demonstrate control over – or camaraderie with – the military. In Taiwan, the Zhongshan suit was seldom seen after the 1970s. Moreover, given the subtropical weather much of the year in Taiwan, for a time a modified version became at least semi-standard which dropped the high-collar buttoned up original constriction in favor of a Western style open dress shirt collar, unbuttoned.

Today among the Chinese people, the suit has been largely abandoned by the younger generation in urban areas, but is still regarded as formal attire by many old people. It is also prevalent among Chinese peasants as casual dress. However the suit is becoming more popular amongst young overseas Chinese as a formal or business wear instead of wearing the "generic" Western three piece suit and also as an identity for their Chinese origin.

1965's Fashion Creation Is Still A Wardrobe Mainstay

Okay – we as transgendered women are known for our Great Legs! Whether you’re a crossdresser, transsexual or drag queen, you don’t inherently have a cellulite problem that most genetic women have. So whether you go au natural, or slip on a pair of pantyhose, nylons, or tights, our legs can make a Miniskirt shine!

Nowadays the miniskirt can be constructed in a multitude of fabrics and a wide variety of styles. Cotton, Spandex, Leather, Lace, Suede, Vinyl, Latex… you name it! Shimmery soft to rigid in form; from almost knee length to micro in size.

But where, to wear, a miniskirt? I asked TG LIFE’s self proclaimed Fashionista, Vivian Blaine, to add her thoughts on the subject.

“The Miniskirt is truly a fashion staple, but also a possible faux pas for many a TG maiden. Yes, this simple short garment will make your legs look fabulous, but only if you accessorize correctly! No skimpy tube tops to go with it unless you have a washboard stomach! And I mean “Do Your Sit-ups Girls!” Even Britney is having problems with that these days! And carefully observe how you sit (legs crossed, of course) on a chair or stool, let alone departing from an automobile. Lest we mention Britney again! Also dress appropriately for the location, and the situation. Malls… no. Clubs… yes! Formal gatherings… forget it!”

Thanks Vivian, I think we all get the picture now.

So how did miniskirts come about? Way back in the 1960’s (almost when dinosaurs ruled the earth), the modestly short, common fabric dress called the miniskirt was scandalous! It had never been seen before.

Before the British Music invasion of the 1960’s, Mary Quant, ran a popular clothes shop in Kings Road, Chelsea, London, called Bazaar, from which she sold her own designs. In the late 1950s she began experimenting with shorter skirts. As England’s Carnaby Street clothing became all the rage, her designs resulted in the miniskirt in 1965—one of the defining fashions of the decade.

With Mary Quant located in the heart of fashionable "Swinging London", the miniskirt was able to spread beyond a simple street fashion into a major international trend at an incredible speed. It was first sensationalized when model Jean Shrimpton wore a short white shift dress, made by Colin Rolfe, on October 30th, 1965 at Derby Day, the first day of the annual Melbourne Cup Carnival in Australia. Heads turned and cameras focused!

The miniskirt was further popularized by André Courrèges, who developed it separately, incorporating it into his Mod look, for spring/summer 1965. His miniskirts were less body hugging, and worn with white boots that became a trademark. By introducing the miniskirt into the haute couture of the fashion industry, Courrèges gave it a greater degree of respectability.

Tights and pantyhose became highly fashionable, in place of stockings, specifically because the rise in hemlines meant that stocking tops would be visible.

During the mid-1970s, the fashion industry largely returned to longer skirts such as the midi and the maxi, and the miniskirt seemed to almost disappear. According to journalist Christopher Booker, “there was almost nowhere else to go... the miniskirts could go no higher".

Even though miniskirts remained a minimal staple, especially with the New Wave crowd of the 1970’s, they began to re-emerge in the 1980’s. Many women began to incorporate the miniskirt into their business attire, a trend that grew during the remainder of the century. Films and television series made in the mid-1990s (Friends, Sex and the City, Ally McBeal, for example) show how important the mini had become again.

Today, the miniskirt holds a place in many wardrobes – especially for TG’s like us! So if your legs are shapely enough to show off, pull on a miniskirt! Styles and lengths come and go, but the miniskirt will never go out of style!

The halterneck dress is a classic style that can be updated in design to keep up with trends while still maintaining the overall halterneck look. It's safe to say Marilyn Monroe's figure flattering white halterneck dress in The Seven Year Itch displays how glamorous this style can be.

Each year at celebrity bashes there are always ladies dawning this flattering dress. Many were snapped wearing variations of the halterneck on the sparkly purple carpet at the British Soap Awards. Some wore short mini styles whilst other opted for long maxi designs.

Gwyneth Paltrow was pictured wearing a striking black halter neck dress with a cut out design at the recent Iron Man Premiere in New York.

As well as glam events like those above the halter neck dress can also be a great casual summer dress. It's an excellent light travel companion that doesn't take up much room. It can be worn as day wear and to cover up your swimwear as well as dressing it up for a romantic evening in the sun. It's a perfect sophisticated cut for all occasions.

As mentioned this style of dress is very versatile and can adapt beautifully to new trends and with other styles, like backless designs and maxi styles. The empire waistline styles are great if you want to elongate your frame especially when it is coupled with a full feminine flared style.

The variations of halter dresses are endless, some have deep plunging v necks whilst others have a sweetheart neckline and others square designs and then there are silk styles to satin.

So you are on the look for your prince charming? Like Cinderella did, you too are visiting a party today to find the perfect match.

But to look your picture perfect and get all the attention you, you must wear some designer wear, short party dress or good club wear.

The options in short designer wear is plenty. All you have to do is take your pick according to your figure and comfort level and you will shine like a star in the evening party.

If you are shy type and trying out that short dress for the first time, go for jersey dresses. The reason behind them is that they hide more than they reveal.

But if you are the experimental sort, then stone embellished halter dresses must be your pick. Available in a variety of colors like purple, plums and pinks, they are sure to raise your presence quotient at the party. And who would mind the attention?

A new entrant in the category of short dresses are Ruffle tiered tunic dresses. It is a body hugging dress which flatters a bit from the waist and again narrows down towards the thighs. This kind of short dress is ideal for those with heavier mid riff. You can either opt for one shoulder dress in a variety of colors and fabrics. They look elegant and are stylish at the same time. One shoulder dress shifts the focus from the midriff and beams to the neck…so those with svelte shoulders can wear this kind of short dress.

However, for petite frame, a tube dress or off-shoulder ones would look good. Meanwhile whatever you wear, make sure you team up with the best accessory, i.e. your confidence. So best of luck with the party preparation!