Dress codes

For ethnic Yao people living in Jinxiu county in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, traditional attire is more than just fashion - it's a statement of identity and a key part of celebrations. Every December, Yao people - clad in colorful layers with elaborate embroidery - gather to sing and dance in celebration of the Panwang Festival, when they worship their ancestors. The clothes typically feature vibrant colors and styles with vivid designs on the fabric. Subtle variations in the shapes of hats or embroidered patterns reveal the wearer's community of origin. Young women from the Hualan Yao branch wear more than 10 articles of clothing, with lots of embroidery on hems and sleeves. Orange decorative designs contrast sharply against the indigo cloth. Clothing of the Shanzi Yao branch features a polychromatic silk belt and black-and-white kerchiefs folded into trapezoids, with embroidered sunflowers on top. Ao Yao women wear hats made of the husks of bamboo shoots and necklaces with multilayered decorations. Three huge silver plates highlight the attire of Chashan Yao women and are symbols of wealth. The Pan Yao branch's clothing features pointed head wraps.

(China Daily European Weekly 04/10/2015 page4)