What is a Chinese corset?

What is a Chinese corset? In ancient times, it was called Dou Du, and it was tied around the neck with a cloth belt, and the lower two sides were tied around the waist. The names of Chinese corsets are different from generation to generation. In addition to belly pocket, there are other names such as wrapped belly, pocket, bag, terminalia chebula and clothes. Surrounding the chest and abdomen, it has the function of heat preservation and fu-organs protection.

The Historical Origin of Chinese Corset

Chinese-style chest covering, called Dou Du in ancient times, is tied around the neck, with a cloth belt on it and a belt on both sides below. The names of Chinese corsets are different from generation to generation. In addition to belly pocket, there are other names such as wrapped belly, pocket, bag, terminalia chebula and clothes. The art of Chinese corsets is mainly embroidery, and there are also patched patterns. Children's navel covers are mostly red cloth, adults are mostly black cloth, and lining is mostly white cloth.

Because it needs to be changed frequently, besides considering the comfort of materials and styles, it must also be firm at the same time. In the process of knitting and embroidery, it is even more necessary to resist friction and washing to prevent falling off. Judging from the preserved objects, the fabrics of Chinese corsets are mostly silk, and the colors of the fabrics on the front and back are mostly the same. The fabric of Chinese corset for civilians is based on white and blue, and the embroidery is simple and elegant. Rich people use expensive silk and satin as materials, which are inlaid with gold and silver, carving dragons and embroidering phoenixes, and the patterns are gorgeous and full.

The traditional Chinese chest wrapping method is divided into three steps. Firstly, two pieces of Chinese corset cloth are cut out according to the cutting diagram, and words are embroidered on the front of one of them. Then, the front faces of the two pieces of cloth are stitched oppositely, and the chest part is reserved as a folding opening. After turning back to the front from the fold, clamp the belt in the chest position and sew the whole open thread. This makes it more comfortable to have no burrs on the Chinese-style chest covering. Finally, sew the buttons on the front of the bellybutton and at both ends of the belt. There is no way to tie a knot with a belt, because it is very troublesome to put on and take off the baby like that, and the buttons are sewn in front to prevent the baby from lying down. In this way, the traditional Chinese-style chest covering in China is ready.

Belly pocket has the function of keeping warm and protecting lung.

The upper part is tied around the neck with a cloth belt, and the lower two sides are tied around the waist, which has the function of keeping warm and protecting the lungs. Chinese corsets are shaped like the front of a vest, mostly square or rectangular, diagonally designed, with the upper corner cut into a concave shallow semicircle and the lower corner pointed or round.

The shape of Chinese corsets varies from place to place, and the basic style is similar to an unfolded folding fan shape (or approximate diamond shape). The method is to determine the circumference, inclination, waist angle and size of the pocket, and draw the design pattern directly on the cloth with ink pen. The cut diamond cloth is about 30 cm in length and width, and the lower end is curved. Cut off the acute angle around the neck, then put a pair of flower buttons on the two tips, and hook or fix the cloth belt around the neck through the gold and silver chain. The left and right corners are fixed with fine cloth belts and tied at the waist. Due to different regions, the Chinese-style belly covers in Taiwan Province Province are still different in shape and pattern.

Chinese-style chest covering is a kind of traditional folk underwear, which is close to adults' bodies and not exposed, while children's exposure in hot weather is childish. The child's belly pocket is embroidered with the tiger's head and the pattern of "Five Poisons", which is used by adults to entrust the healthy growth of children. In modern times, due to the evolution of society and the introduction of western woven fabrics, urban people first replaced Chinese-style bellies with shirts and vests. But today, there is still a tradition of wearing Chinese corsets in remote areas, which are only made for children, but it seems that little is done for adults.