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Hanfu Supplier Hanfu Supplier Wholesale sourcing notes

Wholesale sourcing notes

Dynasty Collections

A dynasty silhouette is a buying category, not a costume label. It tells a boutique how a garment falls at the shoulder, how much air it carries through the body, which fabrics hold the line, and which customer will actually wear it. We organize the wholesale catalog this way so buyers can compare five families on the same terms — then order with fewer surprises.

Five families in this index

  • 01 Han — the layered cross-collar foundation
  • 02 Tang — high waist, wide sleeve, open movement
  • 03 Song — narrow, upright, understated
  • 04 Ming — structured robe with a strong shoulder
  • 05 Jin — balanced top with a rounded ease

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Reading method

How to read a dynasty entry

Every family below carries the same six fields, in the same order. Read them the same way across all five and you can compare a Han robe against a Ming robe without guessing which note belongs to which garment.

Period context

What the silhouette was cut for — the body it dressed, the posture it assumed, and the social setting it served. This is the reason a garment looks the way it does, and the first thing to check when a customer asks why a sleeve is shaped a certain way.

Garment forms

The specific pieces we produce in that family: robe, jacket, skirt, top, or layered set. Each form has its own pattern block, so a Tang jacket and a Tang robe are not interchangeable when you build a size run.

Fabric recommendations

Which cloths hold the line and which collapse it. A structured silhouette in a soft fabric reads as a different garment entirely, so we name the weights and weaves that keep the intended shape.

Fit and movement

How the garment behaves when worn: where it releases, where it holds, how much ease sits through the chest and hip, and how the hem moves when the wearer walks or performs. Buyers use this field to match a silhouette to a real customer.

Buyer's checklist

The specific points to verify on a sample before committing to a wholesale order — seam finish, lining weight, sleeve drop, closure placement, and the size spread you intend to stock.

Next step

What to do once the family suits your customer: request a sample, add the style to a shortlist, or move straight to an order sheet. Each entry closes with the same two links so the path stays consistent.

Side by side

Five families, one comparison

Use this table to narrow a shortlist before reading the long entries. Sleeve line, body volume, common fabrics and typical retail fit are the four fields that most often decide whether a silhouette belongs in your store.

Comparison of Han, Tang, Song, Ming and Jin garment families for wholesale buyers.
Family Sleeve line Body volume Common fabrics Typical retail fit
Han Straight, narrow to moderate, cross-collar closure Layered and close through the torso, released at the hem Fine linen, silk-cotton blends, light twill Customers who want a foundation layer they can wear open or closed
Tang Wide, often with a dropped shoulder line High waist with generous skirt or robe volume Silk, satin-faced blends, mid-weight brocade Buyers seeking movement and a strong silhouette for events
Song Narrow, close to the arm, minimal flare Upright and understated, little excess through the body Matte silk, fine cotton, light wool blends Customers who prefer restraint and a quiet, wearable cut
Ming Structured, set-in shoulder with a defined armhole Strong shoulder, controlled volume through the body Mid-weight twill, lined silk, structured cotton Buyers who want a robe that holds its shape on a hanger
Jin Rounded, balanced, moderate width Even ease through chest and hip, soft hem Soft cotton, brushed twill, light wool Customers who want a coordinated top for group or performance wear

The catalog backbone

Five dynasty buying briefs

Each brief below is written for a retail buyer, not a costume enthusiast. Read the family that fits your customer, then use the checklist to evaluate a sample before you commit to an order.

01

Han — the layered cross-collar foundation

Period context

The Han family is the oldest silhouette in our catalog and the one most buyers meet first. It is built around a cross-collar closure that wraps the chest and a layered construction that lets the wearer add or remove a piece without changing the line. The cut assumes an upright posture and a close fit through the torso.

Garment forms

We produce the Han family as a robe, a shorter jacket, and a skirt or trouser pairing. The robe is the anchor piece; the jacket is the entry price point for a boutique testing the silhouette for the first time.

Fabric recommendations

Fine linen and silk-cotton blends hold the cross-collar line without stiffness. Light twill works for the jacket. Avoid heavy brocade here — it fights the layered construction and makes the closure sit away from the body.

Fit and movement

The robe releases at the hem and holds through the chest. Sleeves are straight and narrow to moderate. Movement is quiet — this is a garment for standing, walking and sitting, not for wide gesture.

Buyer's checklist

  • Check that the cross-collar closure sits flat when closed and does not gap at the chest.
  • Confirm the lining weight — a heavy lining will pull the hem out of line.
  • Verify the sleeve drop against your size spread; a narrow sleeve needs a wider size run.
  • Test the hem release on a mannequin before committing to a stock quantity.

Next step

Request the sample pack to handle the Han robe in person, or read the wholesale process before you build an order sheet.

02

Tang — high waist, wide sleeve, open movement

Period context

The Tang family is the most generous silhouette we cut. It raises the waistline, widens the sleeve, and lets the body carry more air. Historically it dressed a period of open movement and broad gesture, and the cut still reads that way on a modern wearer.

Garment forms

We produce the Tang family as a high-waisted robe, a wide-sleeve jacket, and a skirt with a defined waistband. The jacket is the piece most boutiques start with because it carries the silhouette without the full robe volume.

Fabric recommendations

Silk and satin-faced blends give the wide sleeve its fall. Mid-weight brocade works for the robe but should be lined to keep the shoulder from collapsing. Avoid very light chiffon — it loses the high-waist line entirely.

Fit and movement

The waist sits high and the skirt or robe releases below it. Sleeves are wide and often dropped at the shoulder. Movement is open and visible — this is a garment for performance, ceremony and photography.

Buyer's checklist

  • Check the waistband height against your customer's natural waist — a high line needs a clear fit note.
  • Confirm the sleeve width does not catch on doorways or seating in a performance setting.
  • Verify the skirt or robe release so the hem does not drag on the floor.
  • Test the shoulder line with the intended lining weight before ordering.

Next step

Request the sample pack to compare Tang sleeve widths in person, or read the wholesale process for sizing spread guidance.

03

Song — narrow, upright, understated

Period context

The Song family is the quietest silhouette in the catalog. It narrows the sleeve, reduces the body volume, and keeps the line upright and close. Historically it dressed a period that valued restraint, and the cut still suits a customer who wants a wearable, understated garment.

Garment forms

We produce the Song family as a narrow robe, a close jacket, and a straight skirt or trouser. The jacket is the easiest piece to place in a boutique that sells everyday wear rather than performance costume.

Fabric recommendations

Matte silk, fine cotton and light wool blends hold the narrow line. Avoid high-sheen satin — it draws attention to the sleeve and breaks the understated register. A light wool blend works well for a winter capsule.

Fit and movement

The body is close through the chest and hip with little excess. Sleeves are narrow and sit close to the arm. Movement is restrained — this is a garment for daily wear, office settings and quiet events.

Buyer's checklist

  • Check the sleeve circumference against your size spread — a narrow sleeve needs accurate measurements.
  • Confirm the fabric matte finish under store lighting before ordering.
  • Verify the hem length against your customer's typical wear height.
  • Test the closure placement for comfort when seated.

Next step

Request the sample pack to assess Song fabric finishes, or read the wholesale process for reorder planning.

04

Ming — structured robe with a strong shoulder

Period context

The Ming family is the most structured silhouette we cut. It sets the shoulder, defines the armhole, and controls the volume through the body. Historically it dressed a period of formal court and ceremony, and the cut still holds its shape on a hanger.

Garment forms

We produce the Ming family as a structured robe, a set-in-shoulder jacket, and a coordinated skirt. The robe is the anchor piece for buyers who want a garment that photographs well and holds its line in a display.

Fabric recommendations

Mid-weight twill and lined silk hold the set-in shoulder. Structured cotton works for the jacket. Avoid soft, drapey fabrics — they collapse the shoulder line and lose the Ming silhouette entirely.

Fit and movement

The shoulder is set and the armhole is defined. Volume is controlled through the body with a clear waist. Movement is formal — this is a garment for ceremony, display and a strong retail presentation.

Buyer's checklist

  • Check the set-in shoulder seam sits on the natural shoulder, not past it.
  • Confirm the lining weight supports the structure without adding bulk.
  • Verify the armhole depth allows comfortable arm movement.
  • Test the robe on a hanger to confirm it holds its shape before ordering.

Next step

Request the sample pack to evaluate Ming structure in person, or read the wholesale process for order sheet preparation.

05

Jin — balanced top with a rounded ease

Period context

The Jin family is the most balanced silhouette in the catalog. It rounds the sleeve, evens the ease through the chest and hip, and softens the hem. Historically it dressed a period of practical, coordinated dress, and the cut still suits group and performance wear.

Garment forms

We produce the Jin family as a rounded top, a coordinated jacket, and a soft-hem skirt or trouser. The top is the piece most cultural performance groups order because it works across a mixed size range.

Fabric recommendations

Soft cotton, brushed twill and light wool hold the rounded line. The fabric should drape without collapsing. Avoid stiff brocade — it fights the soft hem and makes the top sit away from the body.

Fit and movement

Ease is even through the chest and hip. Sleeves are rounded and moderate in width. The hem is soft and moves with the wearer. Movement is comfortable — this is a garment for group wear, performance and everyday use.

Buyer's checklist

  • Check the ease through the chest and hip across your full size range.
  • Confirm the hem softness holds after washing — a stiff hem changes the silhouette.
  • Verify the sleeve width suits the intended wear setting.
  • Test the top in a mixed size range if you are ordering for a group.

Next step

Request the sample pack to compare Jin sizes across a group order, or read the wholesale process for mixed-size guidance.

Studio note

Every note in this catalog comes out of a working reference library — swatches we have handled, garment blocks we have cut, and annotated fit photographs we use to brief new workshop partners. When we describe how a Ming shoulder sits or how a Tang sleeve falls, we are describing a garment we have made, not a period illustration we have read.

— Sourcing lead, Hanfu Supplier

From shortlist to sample

Four steps before you request a sample

A dynasty shortlist becomes a usable sample request once you have done four things. Each step below is something you can complete before contacting the studio, so the sample you receive answers the questions you actually have.

  1. 01

    Silhouette shortlist

    Narrow the five families to the one or two that suit your customer. Use the comparison table above to check sleeve line, body volume and typical retail fit against what you already sell.

  2. 02

    Sample evaluation

    Request the sample pack and handle the garment in person. Work through the buyer's checklist for that family — seam finish, lining weight, sleeve drop, closure placement and hem release.

  3. 03

    Order sheet confirmation

    Once the sample suits your customer, confirm the size spread, colorway and quantity per style. The wholesale coordinator prepares the order sheet and packing list from these details.

  4. 04

    Production scheduling

    We schedule production against the spring and autumn windows. Sample requests are advised several weeks before a seasonal buying deadline so the workshop has time to cut and finish.

Request the sample pack Read the full wholesale process