The "Dress Code"

What people wore during the Tang Dynasty indicated where they were in the social hierarchy. Noble women and ladies of the court wore silk clothing that reached the ground. Their outfits consisted of long robes, various different tunics, skirts, and sashes. The outfits were colorful and elaborate and had divine decorations.  Women also had lots of makeup on their faces and there complections were made to be very pale. Their hair was twisted into buns on their heads and they were decorated as well as held in place by exquisite combs and pins. Men also had long silk clothing that reached the ground. But their sleeves were very wide and long and were mostly weighed down so that they wouldn't blow around. Headpieces showed a man's place in the hierarchy. They are different shapes and sizes and were usually made from leather or lacquered material. The color yellow was only worn by the Emperor and his sons because it was an "imperial color." Brides wore red because it was a symbol of happiness and grooms wore green. The emperor's grandsons could wear purple which is the symbol of potential.