Much has been written on the courtly dress and formal costumes of the Qing Dynasty, but this book is the first to offer a detailed account of the clothing worn by ordinary people. Valery Garrett's unique study looks at how life was lived, and the kind of clothing that was worn, in the ruralareas of south China before political disturbances and the encroachment of urbanization changed so much for ever. The result is a valuable document of a traditional style of clothing, now fast disappearing.