Creative Application of the Zhongshan Suit in Clothing Design for Older Chinese Males

Abstract

This series of fashionable clothing designs for older Chinese males are based on a popular form of clothing—the Zhongshan suit. The Zhongshan suit is named after Sun Yat-sen (or Sun Zhongshan in Mandarin), referred to as the “Fashion of the Nation,” who served as the first provisional president of the Republic of China. Sun Zhongshan was credited for initiating the idea of the Zhongshan suit. This series of designs retain the characteristics of collar, top fly, and pockets of the Zhongshan suit but use comfortable cotton and linen materials. The detachable aspects of the coat make it suited for multi-wear to accommodate for changes in climate. The reflective strip allows a person to be recognized easily at night and thus serves as a safety feature. Anti-theft pockets ensure financial security. The coat is designed with a combination of bags that can store objects and cell phones. In addition, the transparent, mesh pockets can be used to store drugs for speedy identification in an emergency. Thus, the suit becomes a “human-clothing-environment” that integrates a holistic perspective of design science, sociology, and ergonomics.