ZHONGYI/ZHONGKU - Hanfu, Underlayers, Base Layers, Original Hanfu Designs Made Tailored to Custom Measurement Preorder

The long-awaited custom ZHONGYI listing is here! Zhongyi is the catch-all term for underlayers worn beneath hanfu. Some sets don't come with zhongyi because it wouldn't make sense to have to buy new zhongyi with every single set, but they look great with those underlayers—this is your chance to buy your very own!

Our zhongyi are made with breathable linen-look rayon in 7 colors (colors on last listing image). The listing images include suggested pairings of zhongyi tops and bottoms, but each garment can be purchased separately. All of our zhongyi pants include pockets and an elastic waistband.

Please only purchase zhongyi along with a purchase of at least one other hanfu garment from our store.

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TOPS

交領襦 / JIAOLING RU / CROSS-COLLAR RU TOP
The most common zhongyi top, the jiaoling shangru, is a cross-collar top with straight sleeves and a lan (bottom half of the top is made out of a separate rectangle of fabric). In a pinch this top works as a base layer for basically any hanfu, but it resembles Wei/Jin dynasty tops the most.

曲領襦 / QULING RU / CURVED-COLLAR RU TOP
Unique to the Wei/Jin Dynasties, the collar of the quling ru top resembles a high turtleneck, with a tie closure very similar to a cross-collar ru top. Great for colder weather and a more traditional look, the extended neck piece wraps around the front of the neck for higher coverage. Pair this with any Wei/Jin Dynasty set as a base layer with the collar peeking out or use this as a unique top with any skirt or pair of pants.

圓領衫 / YUANLING SHAN / ROUND-COLLAR TOP
A staple for men and women in the Tang Dynasty, the yuanlingshan top can be worn under round collar robes, Tang half-sleeve beizi, and other similar styles that require a base layer. You can also pair this directly with a chest- or waist-high skirt. Unlike the other zhongyi tops we offer, the Tang Dynasty round-collar top is kept closed with buttons instead of ties.

仿宋抹吊帶 / FANG SONGMO DIAODAI / SONG CAMISOLE
Undergarments for women and men in the Song Dynasty resembled various kinds of bandeau or apron-like tops that were tied around the body, called a songmo. For convenience, most hanfu wearers today opt for a camisole or diaodai made to imitate the songmo. We’ve made sure to add adjustable-length straps and a small elastic in the back so that you can put this on more easily.

短褐 / DUANHE / MING CROSS-COLLAR TOP
Often used for labor, rest, or as an underlayer, the duanhe (also called jiaoling duanshan, cross-collar single layer shirt) is a cross-collar top with narrow sleeves. It differs from the Wei/Jin Dynasty ru because it lacks a lan and has a more flared triangular shape to its body, accurate to Ming Dynasty clothing trends. It’s perfect for an underlayer to any Ming Dynasty set that doesn’t already have a cross-collar top.

叉領 / CHALING / FALSE CROSS-COLLAR
Don’t want to wear a full top under your hanfu? That’s okay, you can still fake the look of multiple layers! The chaling or false collar is essentially a rectangle of fabric that wraps around your neck, with ribbons on the ends that you can use to secure it on your torso. A cheaper and cooler alternative to a full zhongyi top, you might find one of these useful in hot weather or sets that are already feel moderately bulky to you.

BOTTOMS

中褲 / ZHONGKU PANTS
The most common zhongyi trousers, the zhongku, is a simple pair of straight-legged pants with an elastic waistband. Cloud9's zhongku comes with side pockets for your convenience. While they don’t directly resemble any specific dynasty’s artifacts, they’re a great multi-use pair of pants that work as a base layer under basically any hanfu.

燈籠褲 / DENGLONG KU / LANTERN PANTS
Tang Dynasty pants took a lot of inspiration from nearby cultures, resulting in the popular ‘lantern pants’ silhouette with narrow pant cuffs. We’ve modified this design to include elastics in the waistband and cuffs, as well as given it pockets. Any Tang Dynasty set, masculine or feminine, can be paired with these pants.

宋褲 / SONGKU PANTS
The Song Dynasty is famous for its pants, usually worn under a skirt or other garment as a base layer. These days, many hanfu wearers opt for modified Song pants instead of the double-layered reconstructed Songku that’s usually a hassle to put on. Apart from our usual pockets and elastic waistband, these pants have been modified to use a single layer of fabric with box pleats on each side, so that they aren’t too bulky when worn under your other clothes.

直腰褲/ ZHIYAOKU PANTS
A unique pair of pants from the Ming Dynasty cut out of one piece of fabric, the zhiyaoku pants feature pant legs that narrow as they go down and more fabric in the hip area. We’ve modified these to include an elastic waistband and pockets, which alters their look slightly, but makes them much more convenient to put on..

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IMPORTANT NOTICE:

All of our products are HANDMADE TO MEASUREMENT, meaning that all orders are TWO MONTH PREORDERS! Take a look at our shop announcements to see when the next batch is estimated to get here! We’ll message you on Etsy with a link to a google form where you can input your measurements after you place your order.