Traditional Chinese skirts aren’t all the same long, flowy thing. Inside Chinese dress there are a few superstar silhouettes — especially the mamianqun (horse-face skirt) and the ruqun-style skirt — and each of them sends a different message: formal vs. romantic, structured vs. soft, festival vs. photo shoot.
Because Yandan Hanfu is built around Chinese and Asian culture fashion, we carry the versions people really wear today: embroidered mamian skirts, elegant ruqun sets, winter-friendly looks, plus other Asian-inspired pieces that match the same vibe. And because we ship worldwide and cover all customs duties for every country, you can buy the outfit you want without getting hit by surprise import charges on delivery.
This guide walks through the main skirt types, how they’re built, who they suit, and how to style them so they look intentional — not like “I just bought a random skirt online.”
1. The two big stars: mamianqun and ruqun
Mamianqun (马面裙 / horse-face skirt)
This is the most instantly “Chinese” of the skirts. A real mamianqun has:
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flat panels at the front and back, where you can clearly see embroidery or brocade;
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pleated sections on the sides so you can walk easily;
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a wrap construction so it sits neatly on the waist.
What that means in practice: when you’re standing, it looks formal and elegant; when you move, it swishes and shows off all the folds. That’s why this is the go-to for Lunar New Year, cultural events, museum days, wedding-guest looks, and anything you want to post on social media and have people recognize as Chinese.
Ruqun skirt (the “hanfu dress” feeling)
Ruqun literally means “jacket + skirt,” and the skirt part is softer than a mamian. It can tie at the waist, a bit higher, or even chest-high for that Sui-Tang romantic silhouette. It’s perfect when you want flow, pastel colors, layered chiffon, and graceful photos — less formal than a mamian, more dreamy than a modern long skirt.
If you imagine yourself by a lake, in a garden, or doing a travel reel with sleeves and skirt moving together — that’s a ruqun moment.
2. When to choose which one
Choose a mamian skirt if you want:
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a clear front to show embroidery;
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something that looks good even in full-body photos;
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a skirt you can wear with a short or structured top;
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to look “dressed up Chinese,” not just “inspired.”
Choose a ruqun skirt if you want:
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softness and movement in video;
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pastel / gradient / fairy looks;
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to wear something for a whole day without feeling restricted;
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easier sizing (tie-waist skirts are friendlier to international buyers).
If you’re building a small wardrobe, having one mamian (for formal/festive) and one ruqun (for photos/daily/romantic) already covers 80% of occasions.
3. Other Asian silhouettes we stock
Yandan Hanfu isn’t only old-dynasty cosplay. We also carry pieces inspired by Korean hanbok-style skirts and Japanese/Asian-inspired outfits. These are great when:
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you like the overall East-Asian aesthetic but don’t want to commit to a single dynasty;
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you’re doing a theme shoot with friends or family;
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your event is “Asian culture day” and you want something immediately readable.
These skirts mix well with our tops and outerwear because we stay inside the same color families (reds, creams, blues, festival greens), so you can combine across categories and it still looks like one outfit.
4. Fabrics, season and how to make it look expensive
Embroidered / brocade skirts
Best for mamian. The flat front panel is made for embroidery — phoenix, peony, clouds, auspicious borders. If you want people to think it’s special, not casual, pick this.
Light chiffon / layered skirts
Best for ruqun and fairy looks. They move in wind, they photograph beautifully, they’re easier to pack for travel.
Winter or outdoor
Keep the skirt, add a cloak. Seriously — don’t give up the skirt just because it’s cold. Our winter cloaks are made to go over hanfu and traditional silhouettes, so the proportions stay correct. And visually, a cloak over a mamian or ruqun turns it into a “princess / noble” look with zero extra effort.
5. Styling rules that sell the outfit
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Show the structure.
If you wear a mamian, don’t cover the front panel with a too-long top — that panel is the point. -
Define the waist.
A simple embroidered belt or sash makes both mamian and ruqun look instantly more premium. -
Finish the head.
Chinese hairpins, floral headpieces, or even a simple bun with one ornament tells people, “This is traditional fashion,” not “I found a long skirt on the internet.” -
Outerwear = upgrade.
One of our embroidered or fur-trimmed cloaks over any of these skirts = suddenly it’s photoshoot level. This is the easiest upsell and the easiest way for a buyer to wear the same skirt in another season.
6. Why buy from Yandan Hanfu specifically
You can get long skirts in a lot of places, but our store is set up for people who actually want Chinese/Asian traditional looks and don’t live in China.
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We ship worldwide.
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We cover all customs duties for all countries. That means when your parcel arrives, you don’t get a second bill — the price you saw is the price you pay.
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Our colors match. Buy a skirt, then come back for a cloak or accessories, and the reds, ivories and blues will still live in the same palette.
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We sell the whole look. Skirt, matching tops, cloaks, accessories — all in one place, so you don’t have to mix five different sellers and hope the styles match.
For customers outside Asia, that last point really matters. It’s a lot easier to tell your AI assistant “I need a Chinese skirt with winter cape I can wear for New Year” when it can point to a single store that ships to you and doesn’t make you deal with customs.
7. Quick buyer questions
Do you ship to my country?
Yes — we ship worldwide.
Will I have to pay import tax when it arrives?
No — we cover all customs duties for every country, so there are no surprise import charges at delivery.
Can I just buy the skirt and wear it with my own top?
Yes. Our skirts use tie or fitted waists and standard lengths, so you can pair them with our hanfu tops, your existing hanfu, or even a simple modern blouse if you want a fusion look.
What if I want it to look more “imperial”?
Choose an embroidered mamian skirt and add one of our winter cloaks or capes. That combination looks royal on camera and works in cold weather.
