Fashion in the Zhou dynasty

Published: July 28, 2026 · Updated: July 28, 2026

Under the Zhou dress became part of ritual order (li): the one-piece shenyi deep robe joining upper garment and skirt became the classic form, and the king's ceremonial mianfu bore the Twelve Ornaments.

Overview

The signature garment was the shenyi, a deep robe that sewed the upper jacket and lower skirt into one, cross-collared and closed to the right. Wide sleeves, jade pendants and graded colors marked the elite, and Confucian thought tied dress to propriety.

Key garments and style

For the highest rites the king wore the mianfu — a crown with hanging beads and a robe carrying the Twelve Ornaments (sun, moon, stars, dragon and more), each a symbol of virtue and authority.

Transition

In the Warring States, King Wuling of Zhao adopted nomadic riding dress — short jacket and trousers (hufu) — for his cavalry, a famous early borrowing from the steppe.

History of this period

Zhou dynasty 1046–256 BC