Chinese Clothing

[Yonkas]

I can't believe I hadn't thought of this before. For a while now, I've been trying to find a vendor that sells men's fashion robes, but with little success. However, the other day, I recalled that men in the Qin dyansty wore garments such as the Cheongsam. This inspired my curiousity and I looked online for a vendor that sold such things. Surely enough, I stumbled across a site, http://www.orienttouch.com . Unfortunately, since such male garments are viewed as passe, the site only offers 5 of such garments. Despite this, they are stunning. Thus, I decided to take a chance and purchased the "Joyous Landlord Brocade Vest and Gown Set" (The site is badly translated, but nevertheless seems legitimate, since Google was advertising them). The purchase, including shipping costs and tax, came out to $104, which is not bad for formal wear. Anyway, I am currently seeing if I can find more of such sites, perhaps even ones whose clothing is not of a specific culture (though I doubt it). Hey, if I had the money, I'd start such a site.

Anyway, one thing that concerns me is that as this is traditional chinese garb, I might end up offending someone who's sensitive about his identity, especially since I appear to most people to be black (though I am bi-racial). I wonder how my afro's going to look with the chinese getup... At any rate, for those who are interested, I'll let you know how it goes.

What's really cool about this is that, if all goes well, I will be able to wear this garment to formal events as it is actually taylored to fit a man. This is very exciting, although I still probably couldn't wear it to church.

Its amazing what a little perspective will do. I used to believe that I wanted to wear pretty dresses. Now, after having purchased 2 prom gowns, and feeling the frustraton of owning garments that not only fit me poorly, but look atrocious on me since I'm, you know, A MAN, I've come to realise that what I really want is just to wear gowns for men. I suppose you could say I wanted the chance to feel like a prince, just like most little girls at some point aspire to be princesses, though these words do not adequately describe what I truly want from my wardrobe. After all, being a guy, I like dressing casually most of the time. There are some times, however, when I need to show my other side, and that is when I wear the elegent clothing, except of course that I appear more as a fool than a prince or scholar. Anyone here understand what I mean?

[Monty]

I think we all know what you mean, we're all here cause we want more from our clothes than just warmth and modesty.

[MtnBiker]

Gosh do I ever understand. I'm glad you made this post ... I often wonder how many men feel this too.

Last week I had to schedule followup dr visit. They said would October 31 be ok -- I said it would great! .... give me a chance to dress up....

[Skirt Chaser]

Anyway, one thing that concerns me is that as this is traditional chinese garb, I might end up offending someone who's sensitive about his identity, especially since I appear to most people to be black (though I am bi-racial). I wonder how my afro's going to look with the chinese getup... At any rate, for those who are interested, I'll let you know how it goes.

Hey Yonkas, I have found people are pretty happy to see their culture appreciated by outsiders. As long as you know what you are doing to make sure it is worn as intended (all the pieces in the right place depending on the outfit) and not as a costume people tend to be positive. For all the observer knows you could have been raised in a different culture and it is natural to you. Be watchful though that it is not distracting from the occasion, you wouldn't want to out-do the bride for attention at a wedding. :irked:

Its amazing what a little perspective will do. I used to believe that I wanted to wear pretty dresses. Now, after having purchased 2 prom gowns, and feeling the frustraton of owning garments that not only fit me poorly, but look atrocious on me since I'm, you know, A MAN, I've come to realise that what I really want is just to wear gowns for men. I suppose you could say I wanted the chance to feel like a prince, just like most little girls at some point aspire to be princesses, though these words do not adequately describe what I truly want from my wardrobe. After all, being a guy, I like dressing casually most of the time. There are some times, however, when I need to show my other side, and that is when I wear the elegent clothing, except of course that I appear more as a fool than a prince or scholar. Anyone here understand what I mean?

Have you tried dress shops catering to men? There are pretty dresses made to fit the body of a man, you don't have to give up on that idea if you don't want to. As a woman I have seen enough dresses that just don't look right on me but look long enough and there are ones that work.

Grandiose clothing for men is a lot of fun too though. If you haven't yet gone to one, you might want to go to a Renaissance Faire in your area. There are so many shops specializing in royal and courtly garb that give you opportunity to be that elegant man you want to be. There is usually a rental booth too so you wouldn't have to buy an outfit, it can just be a day of splendor surrounded by people who like dressing up and would not be judging your appearance.

Quiet Mouse

[Yonkas]

Hey Yonkas, I have found people are pretty happy to see their culture appreciated by outsiders. As long as you know what you are doing to make sure it is worn as intended (all the pieces in the right place depending on the outfit) and not as a costume people tend to be positive. For all the observer knows you could have been raised in a different culture and it is natural to you. Be watchful though that it is not distracting from the occasion, you wouldn't want to out-do the bride for attention at a wedding. :irked:

That's a good point. I hadn't thought of that.

I just hope my Cheongsam wasn't made at someone's expense. Strangely, I hadn't considered that it might be manufactured in China--which it is.

Have you tried dress shops catering to men? There are pretty dresses made to fit the body of a man, you don't have to give up on that idea if you don't want to. As a woman I have seen enough dresses that just don't look right on me but look long enough and there are ones that work.

Actually, it would be great if I could find such a shop. All I've been able to find in that area are shops for TV's and Little Girls, which is not what I want. Do you know of any such shops?

[kabbak]

yonkas,

i wondered what the status of your order with that company is. i myself am interested in one of their items and thought i'd let you be my guinea pig

i know you already said you would keep us posted, i just wanted you to know i'm interested in the mandarin gown with red sash, here:

http://www.orienttouch.com/product_info ... cts_id=380

i know, i know, and i'd rather not have something as plain as black either. that's the trouble with so many mens skirts they only come in black, like someone thinks we must want to mourn the death of our masculinity--far from it. well, maybe it's just that the ones i like are all black but like in the case of these oriental gowns, it's either black or three alarm fire. i know that beige, grey, white and various shades of blue are also traditional, and while many of those aren't necessarily 'color' per say, they aren't black either. i don't want to turn this thread into a rant about the 'blah' nature of men's garments, i know that's already been approached elsewhere, but it's upsetting that the fashion industry has two polar extremes for men: wallflower or exhibitionist.

let us know how your purchase went and if you do happen to run across any similar sites, send up a flare.

[Yonkas]

yonkas,

i wondered what the status of your order with that company is. i myself am interested in one of their items and thought i'd let you be my guinea pig

Sure. Well, Monday, they emailed me with a message letting me know that the gown was on its way. It should be here within the next week or so. After that follows the question of what formal occassion I can wear it to .

I'm glad to hear of your interest in this site. I have attempted to find others like it (that sell men's gowns or robes) but this is the only one so far (with the exception of some really shady looking place I happened upon a while ago). It's a shame that even after all that, this site only offers 5 selections. I'd have thought there'd be more of a demand for them. After all, unlike alot of other MUG's you encounter on the Internet, this is a traditional garment. If I were looking for a Scottish kilt, I wouldn't be faced with such a dearth of selection.

i know, i know, and i'd rather not have something as plain as black either. that's the trouble with so many mens skirts they only come in black, like someone thinks we must want to mourn the death of our masculinity--far from it. well, maybe it's just that the ones i like are all black but like in the case of these oriental gowns, it's either black or three alarm fire. i know that beige, grey, white and various shades of blue are also traditional, and while many of those aren't necessarily 'color' per say, they aren't black either. i don't want to turn this thread into a rant about the 'blah' nature of men's garments, i know that's already been approached elsewhere, but it's upsetting that the fashion industry has two polar extremes for men: wallflower or exhibitionist.

let us know how your purchase went and if you do happen to run across any similar sites, send up a flare.

No problem. You get what you're most comfortable with wearing. It still looks pretty cool. Let me know how it goes. Personally, I would like more guys to purchase these garments. This would create more of a demand (obviously) which might inspire the site's proprietors and other's like them to offer more of a selection of such garments. After all, kilts aren't the only traditional MUG.

-Will

[Skirt Chaser]

Actually, it would be great if I could find such a shop. All I've been able to find in that area are shops for TV's and Little Girls, which is not what I want. Do you know of any such shops?

Well, the CD stores were the shops I was thinking of. Just like a person doesn't have to be a woman to shop in that section of the store, anybody can find fun stuff to wear at a shop for cross dressers.

Quiet Mouse