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Tang suit (Tang Zhuang) are modern garments with traditional elements. They were initially based on the magua (a type of Chinese jacket) from the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) and then incorporated a standing collar and Western three-dimensional tailoring techniques. They are a product of the combination of Chinese cultural elements and Western tailoring concepts.
International superstars like Jackie Chan, NBA veteran Russell Westbrook, and other celebrities are very fond of wearing Tang suits when attending events, and they also recognize and promote traditional Chinese culture.
Due to the huge influence of the Tang Dynasty (618–907) overseas, during the Song Dynasty (960–1279), the word "Tang" had already become the term used by various countries in Southeast Asia and overseas to refer to China. From the Song, Yuan (1271–1368) to the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), countries around the world referred to China or things related to China as "Tang," from which the name "Tang suit" originated.
The Tang suit (Tang Zhuang) has four major characteristics in terms of style and structure: First, it has a standing collar with an opening at the front center of the upper garment and a vertical collar style. Second, it has set-in sleeves, where the sleeves and the body of the garment have no seams, mainly using flat cutting techniques. Third, it can have a front opening with a symmetrical closure (duijin) or a slanted closure (xiejin). Fourth, it has frog buttons; that is, the buttons are composed of two parts: the knot and the loop.
