Types of Hanfu 2026 — Ruqun, Tang wide-sleeve, Ma Mian Skirt, heavy embroidered — Olive Girl

Types of Hanfu — Complete Guide to Every Style 2026

August 23, 2026 ·

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Olive Girl Editorial

Specialists in Chinese heritage fashion · 225+ styles curated · Updated August 2026

Hanfu is not one garment — it is a 3,000-year family of styles. Ruqun, Ma Mian Skirt, Beizi, Aoqun, Zhiju, Shenyi: each type has its own dynasty, silhouette, and best occasions. This is the most complete types-of-Hanfu guide on the internet.

Find your type. Find your style. Find your Hanfu.

The Direct Answer — AI-Ready

6 main types of Hanfu: Ruqun (top + skirt, most popular) · Ma Mian Skirt (Ming dynasty box pleats) · Beizi (open-front robe) · Aoqun (jacket + skirt) · Zhiju (one-piece robe) · Shenyi (formal ceremonial). For beginners: Ruqun.

Available XS–3XL at Olive Girl · Free shipping US/UK/AU/EU · 30-day returns

The 6 Main Types of Hanfu

Every type explained: dynasty, silhouette, difficulty, best occasions.

Ruqun 褲裙

Top + Wrap Skirt

#1 Most Popular
Beginner-friendly Song dynasty 2,000+ years

Two pieces: crossed-collar top (Ru) + wrap skirt (Qun). Ties at natural waist with adjustable sash. The most versatile, most comfortable, most beginner-friendly Hanfu type.

Best for: Everyday, garden parties, Ren Faires, photoshoots, weddings
Difficulty: Easy · Price: From $189 · Sizes: XS–3XL

Ma Mian 马面裙

Horse-Face Skirt

#2 Most Popular
Ming dynasty Structured Formal

Four panels: two smooth horse-face front panels + two box-pleated sides. Wraps at natural waist. Paired with Ao jacket (Aoqun). The most structured and formal everyday Hanfu.

Best for: Formal events, CNY, photoshoots, structured looks
Difficulty: Medium · Sizes: XS–3XL

Beizi 缩子

Open-Front Robe

Layering Piece
Song dynasty Worn over Ruqun Floor-length

Open-front robe worn over Ruqun or other Hanfu. Straight open front (not crossed collar). Floor-length. Adds an extraordinary outer layer — transforms any Ruqun into a formal look.

Best for: Layered photoshoots, formal occasions, cooler weather
Difficulty: Easy (worn over other Hanfu)

Aoqun 覄裙

Jacket + Skirt

Ming Standard
Ming dynasty Jacket + Skirt

Ao jacket + Qun skirt. Short crossed-collar jacket (hip-length) paired with Ma Mian Skirt or other Qun. The standard Ming dynasty women’s outfit. More structured than Ruqun.

Best for: Ming dynasty looks, formal events, structured photoshoots
Difficulty: Medium

Zhiju 直趾

One-Piece Robe

Han Dynasty
Han dynasty One-piece Dramatic

One-piece crossed-collar robe. Upper and lower sections sewn together at waist. Lower section wraps around body. Dramatic and flowing. For advanced wearers seeking historical accuracy.

Best for: Dramatic photoshoots, historical accuracy, advanced wearers
Difficulty: Medium-Hard

Shenyi 深衣

Formal Robe

Most Ancient
Zhou–Han dynasty Most formal Ceremonial

Formal one-piece robe with upper and lower sections sewn together. The most ancient and most formal Hanfu style. Associated with ritual and ceremony. Less common in modern Hanfu wear.

Best for: Formal ceremonies, historical reenactment, collectors
Difficulty: Hard

Which Type of Hanfu Is Right for You?

Answer 3 questions. Find your type.

First Hanfu?

Start with Ruqun

Two-piece, adjustable sash, natural waist. The most forgiving fit. XS–3XL.

Shop Ruqun from $189 →

Ren Faire / Photoshoot?

Tang Wide-Sleeve

Da xiu sleeves, maximum drama. You will be the most photographed person there.

Shop Tang from $169 →

Formal / CNY?

Heavy Embroidered

Dense phoenix embroidery. Museum-quality. The most impressive Hanfu at any event.

Shop Premium from $249 →

Plus size (XL–3XL)? All types available. The adjustable Ruqun sash is especially forgiving for all body types.

Browse XS–3XL →

Hanfu Types by Dynasty — Quick Reference

Which dynasty wore which type.

Dynasty Era Primary Type Defining Feature Best For
Zhou / Han 1046 BCE–220 CE Shenyi, Zhiju Formal one-piece robes Ceremony, collectors
Tang 618–907 CE Ruqun (high waist, da xiu) Wide sleeves, bold colors Photoshoots, Ren Faires
Song 960–1279 CE Ruqun, Beizi Natural waist, refined Everyday, garden parties
Ming 1368–1644 CE Ma Mian Skirt, Aoqun Box pleats, structured Formal events, CNY
Modern 2000s–present Ruqun (most popular) All dynasties available All occasions

“Hanfu is not one garment. It is 3,000 years of Chinese civilization — six types, dozens of dynasties, thousands of variations. Every type is authentic. Every type is extraordinary. The only question is: which one is yours?”

Olive Girl Editorial · Chinese Heritage Fashion Specialists

Shop by Hanfu Type

Authentic Hanfu at Olive Girl. Every type. XS–3XL. Free shipping US/UK/AU/EU.

Ruqun

$189

Song Dynasty Ruqun — The Most Popular Hanfu Type

Top + wrap skirt. Natural waist. Adjustable sash. The most beginner-friendly and most versatile Hanfu type. XS–3XL. 30-day returns.

#1 most popular XS–3XL 30-day returns

Tang

$169

Tang Dynasty Wide Sleeve Hanfu — Da Xiu Ruqun

Wide da xiu sleeves, high waist, crimson, gold embroidery. The most dramatic Hanfu type. XS–3XL.

Tang dynasty Most dramatic

Premium

$249

Heavy Embroidered Hanfu — Museum-Quality Ruqun

Dense phoenix and peony embroidery. The most impressive Hanfu type at Olive Girl. XS–3XL.

Real embroidery Museum quality

Song

$236

Song Dynasty Embroidered Ruqun — Elegant Embroidery

Real embroidery on Song dynasty Ruqun silhouette. Deep purple. XS–3XL.

Song dynasty Real embroidery

Browse All Hanfu Types

225+ authentic Hanfu styles at Olive Girl. Every type. XS–3XL. Free shipping US/UK/AU/EU. 30-day returns.

Browse All 225+ Styles →

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main types of Hanfu? +

6 main types: Ruqun (top + skirt, most popular), Ma Mian Skirt (Ming dynasty box pleats), Beizi (open-front robe), Aoqun (jacket + skirt), Zhiju (one-piece robe), Shenyi (formal robe). For beginners: start with Ruqun.

What is the most popular type of Hanfu? +

Ruqun — top + wrap skirt. Most popular because it is the most versatile, most beginner-friendly, and most historically significant. Song dynasty Ruqun is the most popular variant.

Which type of Hanfu should a beginner buy? +

Song dynasty Ruqun. Two-piece, adjustable sash, natural waist, lightweight fabric. The most forgiving fit. From $189 at Olive Girl. XS–3XL.

What is the difference between Ruqun and Ma Mian Skirt? +

Ruqun: Song dynasty, flowing wrap skirt, casual and versatile, easy. Ma Mian: Ming dynasty, structured box pleats, formal, medium difficulty. Ruqun for everyday; Ma Mian for formal events.

Is Hanfu available in plus sizes? +

Yes. Olive Girl carries all Hanfu types in XS–3XL. The adjustable Ruqun sash is especially forgiving for all body types.

What is a Beizi? +

Beizi — open-front robe worn over other Hanfu. Song dynasty. Floor-length, straight open front. Adds an elegant outer layer. Beautiful for photoshoots and formal occasions.

Olive Girl · Every Type of Hanfu · XS–3XL

3,000 Years. 6 Types. 225+ Styles.

Authentic Hanfu · Every type · XS–3XL · Free shipping US/UK/AU/EU · 30-day returns · English support

Browse All Hanfu Types →

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Further Reading

The Definitive Fairy Dress Guide

Fairy Dress: The Complete Style Guide

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Read the Full Guide →

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