When Hanfu meets the ancient idea of “winter storage”, there is far more wisdom in cold‑weather garments than you might think.
1. The Origin of Start of Winter
Start of Winter falls on November 7 or 8 each year in the Gregorian calendar, when the sun reaches 225° celestial longitude. It marks the first solar term of winter. Together with Start of Spring, Start of Summer and Start of Autumn, it forms the “Four Starts”.
Ancients divided Start of Winter into three phenological phases:
- Water begins to freeze: Thin ice forms on the water surface.
- The ground starts to harden and freeze.
- Pheasants enter the sea and turn into clams. People romantically imagined that large birds like pheasants
- transformed into clams in the water when they disappeared.
An old saying goes: “Winter means conclusion; all creatures store and rest.” At this time, everything slows down to conserve energy.
Start of Winter has different customs across northern and southern China, many of which fit perfectly with Hanfu scenes.
1.1 Nourish the Body against Cold
There is a folk saying: “Nourish yourself at Start of Winter to fill the empty mouth.” As autumn turns to winter and temperatures drop sharply, people eat seasonal food to warm and strengthen their bodies.
Northerners love dumplings, which carry the meaning of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new at the turn of seasons. Southerners prefer mutton soup, ripe sugarcane and glutinous rice fried rice, greeting the warm winter with delicious food.
1.2 Read on Long Winter Nights
After Start of Winter, days grow short and nights lengthen, and farm work comes to a pause. It is a quiet season for self‑improvement. In old times, people kept the tradition of winter schooling. They read and studied through long quiet nights, enriching their minds gently.
1.3 Welcome Blessings and Pray for a Good Harvest
As an important turning point of the year, Start of Winter includes customs such as ancestor worship, fortune divination and feasts. People offer seasonal food to give thanks for nature’s gifts, praying for good weather, peace and health in the coming year.
2. Winter Hanfu Styling
The philosophy of “harvest in autumn, store in winter” applies to clothing: layer up and keep warm. Elaborate long hems and fancy hair ornaments are not required; comfort comes first. Here are practical warm Hanfu outfit ideas for winter.
Opposite-collar lined jacket + Mamian skirt: Fox fur trims the collar and cuffs, with fleece lining for warmth. The lake‑blue and snow‑white palette echoes winter snow. Gold woven embroidery decorates the skirt, creating an elegant, cool tone.
Short Round-collar Robe: Remade into a short cut with side pockets and a belt, made of woolen fabric. Great for daily commutes and outings. The belt and collar feature persimmon, crabapple patterns, symbolizing good luck.
Down-lined Hanfu Robe: It keeps the traditional Hanfu silhouette while adding down filling for light warmth. The long version flatters the figure, ideal for Hanfu lovers in northern regions.
Fleece-lined Cross-collar Bijia vest: A good pick for indoors or early winter. Soft fur piping locks in heat, and delicate cat embroidery adds a light, lively touch.
3. Warm Drinks and Snacks for Cold Days
Warm Hanfu calls for hot drinks and treats. When the cold first arrives, gather with friends around a stove, and chase away the chill with seasonal food.
3.1 Warm Simmered Drinks
Choose mild teas for slow brewing:
Aged White Tea / Ripe Pu’er: Aged white tea has a faint jujube aroma, mild and soothing. Ripe Pu’er tastes smooth, perfect to cut greasiness after snacks, a classic stove‑side tea.
Red Date, Longan & Ginger Tea: Ginger drives away cold, red dates and longan nourish the blood. Add a little brown sugar; avoid excessive sweetness.
Apple Red Date Black Tea: Simmer with apple chunks. The fruity fragrance blends into the tea, sweet and mild, very photogenic.
3.2 Roasted Stove‑side Snacks
Slow‑roasted treats fill the air with cozy aroma:
Roasted chestnuts: Soft, sweet and rich when cracked open over low heat.
Roasted sweet potatoes: Baked until syrup oozes out, bringing warmth from the first bite.
Roasted oranges & pears: Roasted oranges have softened fruity notes; baked pears moisten the throat and relieve dryness in early winter.
Ciba glutinous rice cakes, peanuts and longans: Puffed crispy ciba, fragrant roasted peanuts and warm longans are safe, popular stove snacks.
Closing
Autumn fades and winter arrives; nature enters its resting phase.
A set of warm seasonal Hanfu, a pot of hot tea, and a few roasted snacks are the perfect way to embrace Start of Winter. You do not need to travel far. Dress warmly, chat with friends by the stove, and enjoy the quiet grace of early winter amid curling steam.
Seasons shift, yet elegance stays. May this winter bring you warm clothes, comforting tea, and lasting peace in your heart.
