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Chinese Tangzhuang Suit (Childrens, Adults and Dolls)

Description

A Tangzhuang is a variant of a traditional Chinese jacket. The tangzhuang is sometimes translated as a Tang Suit or Jacket.

The Tang Suits basic style includes a Mandarin collar, front opening and knotted Chinese buttons.  Shoulder pads are inserted for better fit.

Tang suits are made in different colours, most commonly red, dark blue, gold and black. One common design is the usage of Chinese characters to spread good luck and wishes.

 

Cultural notes

While the name suggests the Tangzhuang originated in the ‘Tang’ period of Chinese History, the name was actually intended by the designers to mean a “Chinese Outfit”

Historically, the Tangzhuang was worn in a dark blue colour by Manchu horsemen, but then became mandatory for Han officials under the Qing empire. Over time, it evolved in to an item of Chinese fashion.

In modern Chinese culture, the Tang Suit are a common formal dress for men in many occasions.

Suggested activities

Books/ Story time:

Art & Craft:

  • Use Chinese designs e.g. Dragons as a provocation for drawing and artworks. Paint on black paper or cardboard using traditional Chinese colours – red, yellow, gold

Dramatic Play:

  • Include a range of cultural dress ups in your home corner year round
  • Set up a Chinese restaurant using placemats, chopsticks, tablecloths, bamboo steamers and Chinese food sets
  • Borrow dolls wearing Tangzhuang suits 

Puzzles/ Games:

  • Borrow Chinese puzzles that depict the clothing the children are wearing

Community Engagement:

  • Invite a parent to share their cultural heritage with the children – reading a cultural story, sharing the similarities and differences or cooking with the children.

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The research for this resource was made possible through a grant from the Central Coast Council.