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Hakka Costume Characteristics
Large collared shirt and loose pants are the representation of the traditional Hakka costumes. The destitution and constantly in the move have formulated the industrious, thrifty, and resistant characters among Hakka people. Upon their arrival in Taiwan, men and women had to share the labor of land cultivation, in order to survive the harsh reality, which have resulted the conservative living style among Hakka families. The Hakka’s lifestyle and costumes have also inherited the conservative tradition of the Hakka ancestors. Generally speaking, Hakka costume is credited by its simple, frugal, monochromatic, unified style, convenient and durable qualities, striving for warmth with little attention to vanity.
The Hakka blue shirt, also known as the "long shirt," the "large collared shirt," or the "Shilin shirt," refers to the open-collared style, often in blue. In Taiwan, the traditional costumes in early Han culture were generally composed of three styles, which are large collar, shawl collar, and Pipa collar.
Pipa collar is frequently used on the sleeveless-styled dress; shawl collar features two symmetrical pieces opened up in front, similar to the front door of the old mansion, which is the common style for men's outer garment; while the big collar features the curved opening towards the right side, and extending downward to form an overlapped buckle under the armpit. As far as the long shirt is concerned, it is the general term to describe the over-the-knee length shirt, as a differentiation with the shorter white inner garment.
The sleeve length of the Hakka blue shirt normally exceeds the wrist, and has to be folded back and fastened using a safety pin, which then become a hidden pocket to keep personal items.
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Hakka Costume Color
The status of the person wearing a Hakka blur shirt is recognizable through the decoration on the collar. For example, woman, wearing shirt adorned with two white strips, approximately 0.5 cm, with embroidery on the collar and cuffs, indicates that she is mid-aged. Those in black or dark color garment, without any decorative border, can be grandmother. Generally, blue shirt combines with dark or light border line, typically dark blue or black pairing with green or lighter blue border or green cloth adorned with black or white border. The materials for the border decoration include cotton and silk, and mostly in lighter colored patterns. Younger women use more colorful decorative bands, in peach or pink, pairing with deep blue cloth, to highlight their mellow beauty.
The blue shirt is not the only garment worn by Hakka women, though it is most known by all. Flower scarf, in bright colors and patterns, is also cherished by Hakka women. The flower scarves are commonly used as decorative items, on shoulder, as head wrap, hair wrap, or as shawl over the long shirt, creating a contrasting effect to evoke the mellow character of Hakka women. They will also use the flower cloth to wrap around the hat when working in the field, thus creating a colorful bundle of flowery heads on the green hill, which is also well-regarded as unique scenery in mountainous Hakka villages.
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