The main characteristic of Taoist clothing is that it has to be loose and comfortable, the fabric is not spared and a lot of material is used generously to tailor a Taoist robe, exactly what you still can find in Wudang, there are master tailors who are making exactly that kind of traditional Taoist uniforms.
Taoists say that you should not wear tight clothing, especially when you are doing exercises or mental practices. That also applies to tight belts, underwear, shoes, socks, jewelry and all clothing that disturbs your blood and energy (Qi) circulation. These tight clothes put pressure on your stomach, arms, legs, etc. Probably everybody has once taken his socks off and there was a big indentation where it's been digging into the skin all day. In acupuncture they study energy meridians that go all the way from your core to your extremities. Tight clothing impacts the flow of energy through these systems. We have blood vessels and nerves, and if you wear a tight watch that was just clamping down on your wrist the whole day or night, your're not getting the kind of circulation you need to your hands. Similarly, this works with underwear, ties, tight t-shirts, jewelry and anything tight that can impede the flow of energy and fluids in your body.
And now, a little of history ... Taoist clothing, which refers to the costume worn by Taoists, belongs to the Han traditional dress system. It is also known as “Fa Fu” or “Taoist uniform”. Early Taoist clothing, which was not strictly regulated, began to form systems after Lu Xiujing (陸修靜) in the Southern Liu-Song Dynasty. Taoism is quite cautious about its dress, both in the Quanzhen and the Zhengyi Taoism. By the end of the North-South Dynasty, a complete dress system was basically formed. That is to say, according to the years of Taoist initiation and the depth of Taoism, the Taoist is divided into several levels, and specific provisions are made for each level of Taoist clothing, crown, and boots, the fabrics to be used, the colors to be taken, the style to be taken, etc. Each rank of Taoist must dress in this manner and must not be confused.
But here we talk first of all about the Taoist robe, the fundamental piece of the Taoist costume. Taoist robe is based on the traditional Han costume, combined with Taoist ideology and theory of innovation and transformation, the formation of a very Taoist cultural
connotation of the religious costume, and this religious costume in the development of Taoism, although some changes, but overall is still basically inherited the ancient system.
The Taoist clothing is the traditional costume of the Chinese nation, and the social costume has changed with the development of the times, but within the Taoist religion is largely unchanged. Daoism attaches great importance to its own traditions and has always been steadfast in adhering to all the beliefs and systems that have been formed. Its dress is just that. A real Taoist robe is also a special piece of clothing, because it is consecrated, and it is not your own normal ordinary clothing. The robe is consecrated, meaning that it is connected to a source of a certain power. You do not put on the robe as your own clothing, it's a piece of clothing that you put on to connect and put on the power of the Tao of the lineage. Everything you do and everything you say while the robe is on, will record into the lineage’s power.
The Taoist costume not only imposed certain constraints on the Taoist priests themselves but also made a greater distinction between the sacred and the secular. The common people see Taoist clothing, which in a way can alert the world and educate the people.
"Da Gua" with a large lapel, length to the leg wrist, and very wide sleeves, it is the most common type of Taoist robe that Taoists wear daily. Nowadays, they are mostly narrow-sleeved for daily tasks. All blue. This style of clothing is taken to be wide fit and loose, in order to symbolize the separation with the mundane. The Taoist clothes are traditionally to be blue colored, this is the color which is daily worn by the Taoist priests except on special ceremonies, but in modern times there is much more freedom in choosing the Taoist uniform color. Many local Wudang schools choose black or white uniforms for their students. Also, a mix of blue robe and white pants has been often sighted. In the end the most important thing is. Once you put on the robe, you are not an ordinary person anymore. That’s because you are now in the robe and all your actions, your speech and your everything represents the Tao, the higher powers, who have given you the connection and the power through the robe. Your actions and everything represents the Tao.
More variations of Taoist uniforms you can discover here
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