2025 Mamian Skirt Comeback: Hanfu Fashion for Lunar New Year

The Mamian skirt has staged a stunning comeback, emerging as 2025’s Lunar New Year trend. From Hangzhou’s scenic streets to global stages, this traditional Chinese clothing icon blends history with Hanfu fashion. Young women don Mamian skirts at theme parks and festivals, calling them “Chinese princess dresses.”

According to social media statistics, more than 10,000 influencers celebrated the New Year wearing Hanfu overseas, spreading this cultural wave across countries like the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, and the US. The Spring Festival Gala further fueled the trend with a stunning performance called New Year Brocade, featuring actress Guan Xiaotong in a Ming Dynasty skirt embroidered with traditional patterns—five gourds and four conch shells—stealing the spotlight with its breathtaking design.

Young women are now proudly wearing skirts to theme parks like Disneyland, calling them “the perfect princess dress for Chinese girls.”

And honestly, they’re not wrong.

A Historical Gem Reborn

Originating in the Song Dynasty for practicality, the skirt became a Ming and Qing fashion staple. Its design—smooth front and back panels with side pleats—mimics ancient “horse-face” city gates, earning its name. Bold blues, reds, and intricate embroidery, from florals to auspicious symbols, define its charm. In museums, these traditional Chinese clothing pieces pulse with stories, making the skirt comeback a cultural celebration. Explore the historical roots of the Mamian skirt and its dynastic significance in our hanfu comprehensive guide.

Guide to Traditional Chinese Clothing – Hanfu

As children, when no one was watching, we’d grab bedsheets and blankets to recreate the flowing garments of historical dramas. Draping a sheet over our shoulders became a beizi, wrapping a towel around our bodies turned into a qixiong ruqun, and tying a pillowcase around our waist completed the look of a skirt. After dressing up, we’d climb onto our beds, reciting memorable lines from TV dramas while dramatically swishing our sleeves.

Mamian skirt,Hanfu fashion, traditional Chinese clothing, Lunar New Year trend

That was my first time “wearing” a Mamian skirt.

Lunar New Year Spotlight

The skirt shone during 2024’s Spring Festival Gala, where Guan Xiaotong’s Ming-style skirt, adorned with gourd and conch motifs, captivated millions. Social media fueled the Lunar New Year trend, with over 10,000 influencers showcasing Hanfu fashion in the UK, US, and beyond. This global wave cements the skirt as a symbol of Chinese cultural fashion, perfect for festive wear.

A Skirt with a Story

Though skirts became a fashion staple in the Ming and Qing dynasties, their origins trace back to the Song Dynasty, where they were initially designed for women riding donkeys. In the drama The Story of Minglan, the main character, Minglan, is seen wearing a similar skirt while playing polo—a glimpse into its early practicality.

The Mamian skirt’s design reflects dynastic innovations in Hanfu systems; discover more about hanfu historical evolution.

Hanfu Clothing Systems: A 4,000-Year Journey Through Chinese Fashion

The skirt, also known as the Mamian pleated skirt (jiange yanqun), has a unique structure. It features four overlapping skirt panels, two in the front and two in the back, with pleats on the sides but none in the center. This design resembles the architectural structure of ancient city walls, specifically the “horse-face” (Mamian) gates, which is how the skirt got its name.

Looking at old historical records, it’s hard to truly grasp the beauty of a skirt. But standing in museums, staring at the intricate embroidery, I could almost feel their soul—skirts are all about color and pattern.

These skirts often boast bold, vibrant colors—deep blues and fiery reds dominate, creating a striking visual impact. The embroidery, however, is the real highlight. Noblewomen in the Ming and Qing dynasties adorned their skirts with intricate motifs, each symbolizing their aspirations for a prosperous and virtuous life.

A Fashion Statement in the Modern World

Today, young women confidently wear Hanfu as if it were just another everyday outfit. The styling is no longer rigidly traditional; instead, it’s all about mixing and matching—pairing skirts with blouses, cardigans, sweaters, and even sneakers. This “new Chinese style” (xin zhongshi) embraces comfort and versatility, making traditional clothing a natural part of modern life.

I still remember the first Hanfu stylist I ever worked with. As I was getting dressed, a young assistant made a small mistake, and the stylist immediately scolded her:

“You have to wear it the proper way! Otherwise, this shop won’t survive!”

Back then, I admired her professionalism. But years later, seeing how skirts are now effortlessly styled with casual wear, I realize that reviving tradition doesn’t mean being overly rigid. The true success of Hanfu’s comeback isn’t just in its historical accuracy—it’s in its seamless integration into modern wardrobes.

When people start wearing skirts to everyday places—not just for festivals or photoshoots—that’s when tradition truly comes back to life. To keep cultural heritage alive, it must return to everyday practicality.