Hui'an women's clothing refers to the style of clothes and accessories generally worn by women in Hui'an, a county in Quanzhou, a city in the coastal region of southeast China's Fujian Province. A Hui'an woman typically wears a short jacket and loose trousers, accentuated by a yellow bamboo hat and a colorful head scarf. 

Hui'an women's clothing was added to the list of China's national intangible cultural heritage in May 2006. The fashion style has undergone a transformation in recent years, to include modern designs; yet, the style of clothing has continued to represent both the folk culture of Hui'an County and the harmonious lifestyle of Hui'an women, who normally live by sea. Diligent Hui'an women do their part to promote their unique clothing and accessories, to people from home and abroad.

Beauty of Hardworking Women

The traditional clothes worn by Hui'an women are characterized by distinct designs, vibrant colors and delicately made embroideries. As Hui'an women often work near the sea, their bamboo hats protect them from both rain and strong sunlight. Their head scarves keep them warm and help shield them from wind coming off the sea. The short jackets and loose trousers are both comfortable and convenient for the women, especially when they are working in or near the water. A Hui'an woman's clothing ensemble reflects her diligence, hardworking spirit and harmonious coexistence with her living environment by the ocean. 

The overall style of Hui'an women's clothing was developed during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and it continued evolving during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Between the late Ming (1368-1644) and early Qing (1616-1911) dynasties, the clothing underwent a transformation; however, it was not until modern times — specifically during the 1970s and 1980s — that the clothing began to utilize diverse colors. 

Nowadays, there are two genres of Hui'an women's clothing. The style popular in Chongwu and Shanxia (both towns in the eastern coastal region of Hui'an County) includes a cone-shaped top to the bamboo hat, which is decorated with fresh flowers and four red, triangle-shaped pieces made from palm bark. The head scarf is white, with green floral patterns, or green or blue, with white floral patterns. The loose trousers are black. The other style, popular in Xiaozuo and Jingfeng (also towns in Hui'an County), includes a ball-shaped top to the bamboo hat, which has little if any decoration. The head scarf has pink and/or red floral patterns. The loose trousers are blue.

Embroideries Express Longing for Happy Life

Hui'an women's clothing is replete with embroideries, which depict the beautiful things they observe during their daily lives. Whether they are flowers, plants or insects, on the mountains, or fish, shrimp and crabs in the sea, the embroideries help people better understand Hui'an women's living environment. Some of the embroideries depict common scenes, such as a returning fishing boat, a Hui'an bride's wedding, or the playing of traditional musical instruments in Fujian Province. 

Some of the embroideries are based on geometric drawings. Such patterns are usually used to decorate collars, waist scarves and detachable sheaths for sleeves. Most Hui'an women are handy embroiderers, who can transform blank cloth into beautiful clothes.

Inheritors Support Innovative Development

Zeng Ruting, a young cadre, works for the Party (Communist Party of China) committee of Dazuo, a village in Chongwu Town. Her mother, Liu Wuqiao, is an inheritor of Hui'an women's clothing. Influenced by her mother, Zeng began learning about the charm of Hui'an women's clothing when she was a child. 

"The designs of Hui'an women's clothing have both artistic and practical value. The elements contained in our clothes and accessories show the artistic traits we have learned from several ethnic groups, and the designs represent both the marine and central plains cultures of our country," Zeng explains. 

Zeng collaborates with her mother to promote the inheritance and innovation of Hui'an women's clothing. Zeng has organized activities, in local schools and communities, to introduce Hui'an women's clothing. In addition, she has improved the designs used to make Hui'an women's clothes, so the clothes will meet people's modern aesthetic tastes. Zeng has also helped introduce Hui'an women's clothing during various events, including Chinese fashion shows, local music festivals and trade fairs. 

Zeng Ruting, a young inheritor of traditional craftsmanship in Quanzhou City

"More than a decade ago, when I was a college student, I attended a cultural-exchange event in Beijing. I was wearing traditional clothes from my hometown, in Hui'an, when I met and communicated with college students from other countries. I have since realized it is important for Hui'an women in the new era to step out and show the charm of our clothing to the world," Zeng says.

Photos from VCG, Tuchong and Zeng Ruting

(Women of China English Monthly May 2025)

Editor: Wang Shasha