Mongolian Ethnic Costume Culture on Horseback

The Mongolian people are a traditional nomadic ethnic group distributed in East Asia and also a minority ethnic group in China. They mainly inhabit grasslands and rely on animal husbandry as their main livelihood. The clothing of the Mongolian ethnic group is significantly representative among the nomadic tribes in northern China, especially during the Yuan Dynasty when clothing experienced unprecedented development, becoming luxurious, extraordinary, and exquisitely crafted. With the evolution of society, various Mongolian tribes gradually have independent development space, and the types and styles of clothing continue to enrich, forming unique clothing styles of each tribe, which continue to this day.

The traditional clothing of the Mongolian ethnic group is called the Mongolian robe, which mainly consists of robes, belts, boots, and jewelry. However, due to differences in geography and lifestyle habits, the styles of clothing may also vary.
Taking women’s robes as an example, the Mongolians in the Khorchin and Karaqin regions prefer to wear loose, straight, heel length robes with side slits and various colored lace decorations on the collar and cuffs; The Mongolians on the Xilingol grassland, on the other hand, choose Mongolian robes that are bulky, narrow sleeved, and uncut; The women of Buryatia wear long robes in the form of waistband skirts, with slightly undulating shoulders; Women in the Ordos region usually wear three robes, the first of which is a close fitting garment with sleeves that reach up to the wrist; The second item is a coat, with sleeves that reach the elbows; The third item is a collarless collarless style with shiny buttons; The long robes worn by Mongolians in Qinghai region are similar to those worn by Tibetans. Except for Qinghai, there is not much difference in men’s clothing in different regions. They wear jackets in spring and autumn, single robes in summer, and cotton or leather robes in winter. Men’s clothing is usually blue or brown, while women prefer red, pink, green, and sky blue. The material of the robe depends on the season, usually leather, wool, cotton, or silk. The robe has a wide body, long sleeves, and the hem is not separated. The collar, cuffs, and hem of Mongolian robes are often decorated with satin lace, and the color of the robe varies depending on gender and age.

Belt is an important component of Mongolian clothing, usually between three to four meters in length and made of silk or cotton. Men often wear accessories such as knives, sickles, and snuff boxes on their waistbands.
Mongolian boots come in two types: leather boots and cloth boots. The production process of Mongolian boots is exquisite, and the upper and other parts of the boots are decorated with exquisite patterns. Leather boots are usually made of cowhide, horsehide, or sheepskin, which are sturdy and durable, with good waterproof and cold resistance. Styles include rolled up toe, half rolled, flat bottomed without rolling, pointed toe, and round toe. Cloth boots are mainly made of fabric and velvet fabric, mostly medium and short, lightweight and soft, comfortable and beautiful.

Mongolian accessory habits include wearing jewelry and hats. Women’s headwear is usually made of jewelry and gold, silver, and jade, which are gorgeous and dazzling. Hats from different regions also showcase unique local styles. Mongolian hats from Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, and other regions have a high top and flat edges. They are made of white felt on the inside and decorated with leather or dyed purple green felt on the outside. They are thicker in winter and thinner in summer. The hat has tassels and the headband is usually made of silk, which can be worn by both men and women. The Balhu and Buryat Mongolians in Hulunbuir wear shawl hats for men and flip brimmed pointed hats for women. Precious materials such as agate, jade, coral, pearls, and silver make Mongolian jewelry appear luxurious and precious. Men’s headwear colors are mostly blue, black, and brown, and some men may wrap their heads with silk. Women tend to wear red or blue headscarves, and in winter, they also wear conical hats like men.

The clothing of the Mongolian ethnic group varies due to factors such as gender, age, marital status, season, etiquette, and daily use. It mainly includes various types of robes (single robe, jacket robe, cotton robe, hanging face leather robe, white stubble leather robe, smoked leather robe), camisoles (Aoji, Aoji wooden grid), boots (felt boots, fragrant cowhide boots, mohair), as well as headwear and accessories (fire, leather bag, fragrant purse), etc. The Mongolian people like to use red, white, blue, yellow, and green, and the color combinations are often bright and bright, or soft and elegant. In terms of style, Mongolian clothing is loose and gorgeous, elegant and dignified, showcasing not only the curvaceous beauty of women but also the bravery and broad personality of shepherds.

The Mongolian people have long lived in the grasslands of northern China, facing the harsh plateau climate. Their way of life is mainly nomadic, with frequent horseback riding activities. Therefore, their clothing needs to have good insulation performance while also being easy to ride. Robes, camisoles, leather hats, and boots naturally became their first choice, reflecting a strong grassland style.
Mongolian clothing is a unique art form that combines aesthetics, practicality, culture, and history. These costumes not only contain rich cultural traditions, but also constantly innovate and evolve in the long historical process, becoming a wonderful flower in the development of our national costume culture!