Casual wear refers to clothing worn during leisure time for various activities. It is characterized by comfort and practicality, suitable for informal occasions, and common styles include T-shirts, jeans, and pullovers.
The Song Dynasty beizi is a representative of ancient Chinese casual wear. Its straight collar, open front, and side slits combine elegance and practicality. Modern casual wear has developed with the popularization of the two-day weekend system, and its designs have gradually incorporated functional elements. In the 1990s, casual wear further developed and became popular in the United States.
While casual wear existed in every dynasty, the most elegant, comfortable, and culturally distinctive style in Chinese clothing history is undoubtedly the Song Dynasty beizi. The most common Song Dynasty beizi style features a straight collar and open front, varying lengths, no buttons on the front, and sleeves of varying widths. Side slits extend from the hem to the waist, or from the armpits all the way down, and some styles have no slits at all.
