Dear readers, we are blown away that it’s already June 2024! We had a great time strolling around in the Cdramaland. There were so many amazing dramas on our list, and we couldn’t watch them all. But we did try our best. Some of them stood out from the rest because of their incredible visual quality. The cinematography plays a huge role in this, and the costume design is also very important. In this article, we try to make a list of Best Costume in Chinese Dramas in 2024.
FYI, we’re not fashion gurus or fashion elites. Our aesthetic ideal may be different from yours, but we love to be entertained by beautiful costumes. Especially in historical dramas. And because we also enjoy urban dramas. So, this list includes both types of dramas. We’ve put together a list in no specific order for you to enjoy. Happy reading, dear readers!
The Best Costume in Chinese Dramas 2024
1. The Legend of Shen Li
- Drama Title: The Legend of Shen Li
- Also Known As: 与凤行, Legend Shen Li, Yu Feng Xing, Yu Feng Xing Guan Wei
- Genres: Romance, Wuxia, Drama, Fantasy
- Cast: Zhao Li Ying, Lin Geng Xin
- Episodes: 39
- Date of Release: March 18, 2024
- Original Network: Hunan TV, Mango TV, Tencent
- Video
- Where to Watch: WeTV, Tencent Video, MGTV, Viki
- Adapted from the novel: “Yu Feng Xing” by Jiu Lu Fei Xiang
We didn’t plan this post in a specific order. The first thing that came to mind was The Legend of Shen Li.
Historical dramas often use plain, light fabrics for their costumes. The dress movements can be an artistic focus, which is visually attractive. You can find this in this drama. The costumes were simple with long, wide sleeves for those who live leisurely and narrow sleeves for those who needed practicality.
Shen Li sometimes wears wide-sleeved hanfu when she is idle in the mortal world. However, her everyday attire is different. Her gown combined elements of hanfu and a cape, featuring short or long sleeves with high slits. Her arms were adorned with simple jewelry.
The costumes were designed by Chen Tong Xun. He is a talented Chinese costume designer who also designs costumes for popular dramas such as Lost You Forever, The Blue Whisper, The Untamed, and Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace.
The Legend of Shen Li is a fantasy story about the unparalleled Lord Bi Cang, the guardian of the Immortals Realm. People love her, soldiers respect her, and enemies fear her. When Shen Li fell into the mortal realm and was mistaken for a chicken, a loner picked her up and took her to his home.
Xing Yun, an ordinary mortal who was sickly and weak, allowed Shen Li to stay in his courtyard for some time. The two of them formed a bond without knowing each other’s identity. Shen Li fell in love with Xing Yun because he was kind. She didn’t know that Xing Yun was actually Xing Zhi, the last ancient god who lived in the Extranatural Heaven and ruled the Three Realms.
- Read the drama review: The Legend of Shen Li drama review
- Read the ending explained: The Legend of Shen Li ending explained
2. Different Princess
- Drama Title: Different Princess
- Also Known As: 花青歌, Flower Green Song, Hua Qing Ge
- Cast: Song Yi Ren, Ding Ze Ren
- Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Historical
- Episodes: 36
- Date of Release: Jan 12, 2024
- Original Network: Youku
- Where to Watch: Youku
In most dramas, the female leads wear the best costumes. But in Different Princess, we had a different opinion. Every character wore beautiful clothes. We was particularly fascinated by the male characters’ robes. They wore heavy, structured robes with beautiful embroidery.
Ji Chu often wore a deep V-neck robe, which looked great on him. However, he surprised me by showing up in a high-collar black robe, which made him look dashing. Ji Yun often wears different collar designs, and Gong Ye Qi frequently wears a loose turtleneck collar.
This drama is entertaining. Different Princess is about Hua Qing Ge, who transmigrated into her own novel. Hua Qing Ge, a modern web novelist, wrote an unsatisfactory ending for her male lead. This led to an online curse. She had to change the ending or never return to her world. Unlucky for her, Hua Qing Ge woke up as the wife of Ji Chu, the biggest villain in the novel. Hua Qing Ge’s goal of changing the ending becomes complicated when she falls in love with Ji Chu.
- Read the drama review: Different Princess drama review
- Read the ending explained: Different Princess ending explained
3. Will Love in Spring
- Drama Title: Will Love in Spring
- Also Known As: 春色寄情人, There Is a Lover in My Hometown, My Hometown Has A Lover, Wu Xiang You Qing Ren, Chun Se Ji Qing Ren
- Cast: Li Xian, Zhou Yu Tong
- Genres: Romance, Drama, Family
- Episodes: 21
- Date of Release: April 22, 2024
- Original Network: CCTV Tencent Video
- Where to Watch: WeTV, Tencent Video, Viki
- Adapted from the web novel: Qing Ren (Lover) by She Mu Si
In historical dramas, we appreciate costumes for their aesthetic value. In urban dramas, we value costumes that inspire our everyday looks. A good costume should be both pleasing to the eye and realistic. A runway look might be visually appealing, but it may not be practical for everyday wear. Some people can pull it off, but many of us can’t.
Zhou Yu Tong looked great in this drama. Combined with Zhuang Jie’s lively personality, she stole the show. Zhuang Jie’s clothes were pretty and comfortable. She often wore boho and casual-style clothes when she was in her hometown.
But when Zhuang Jie returned to Shanghai, she turned into a sophisticated modern woman. Zhuang Jie’s best friend, Wang Xi Xia, also has a good sense of fashion. If you’re looking for inspiration for what to pack for a holiday, this drama could help.
Will Love in Spring is a sweet romance story between Zhuang Jie and Chen Mai Dong. They were high school classmates who met again when they were both 30. The rebellious youth is now an embalmer. The shy girl has become a salesperson.
Zhuang Jie worked hard to prove that her amputated leg didn’t stop her from striving for a better life. Through a series of unfortunate events and the loss of loved ones, Zhuang Jie and Chen Mai Dong learned to understand each other and accept their imperfect lives.
- Read the drama review: Will Love in Spring drama review
- Read the ending explained: Will Love in Spring ending explained
4. In Blossom
- Drama Title: In Blossom
- Also Known As: 花间令, Hua Jian Ling
- Director: Zhong Qing
- Cast: Liu Yue Xi, Ju Jing Yi
- Screenwriter: Yu Hai Lin, Zhong Jing
- Genres: Mystery, Romance, Fantasy
- Episodes: 32
- Date of Release: Mar 15, 2024
- Original Network: Youku
- Where to Watch: Youku, Viki
In Blossom is a good mystery drama starring Liu Xue Xi and Ju Jing Yi. The story happened during the ancient time, so we could see beautiful hanfu in this drama. Pan Yue’s costumes are beautiful. Just like in Different Princess, Pan Yue and Ji Chu came from noble families, while the female leads grew up in a totally different world.
The male leads always dressed well, while the female leads were more casual. The noble in In Blossom wore fancy hanfu. You could see it from the heavy fabrics and intricate embroideries. Our favorite is the Empress’ gold and black dress. The embroidery looks pretty.
In Blossom is the story of Pan Yue, who married his long-lost love, Yang Cai Wei. But on the wedding night, Yang Cai Wei was murdered, and Pan Yue became a suspect. Later, Yang Cai Wei woke up in Shangguang Zhi’s body. Having a second chance in life, Yang Cai Wei used Shangguan Zhi to investigate Pan Yue. She wanted to find out who Pan Yue really was. Afterward, Yang Cai Wei learned that Pan Yue wasn’t the murderer and that he’d loved her for years. They work together to find out the truth.
5. Guess Who I Am
- Drama Title: Guess Who I Am
- Also Known As: 猜猜我是谁, Please! Please Don’t Be Friend with Me, Cai Cai Wo Shi Shei, Bai Tuo! Qing Bie He Wo Zuo Peng You, Guess Love
- Cast: Zhang Yu Xi, Wang Zi Qi
- Genres: Romance, Comedy
- Episodes: 24
- Date of Release: Mar 22, 2024
- Original Network: Youku
- Where to Watch: Youku, Viki
Guess Who I Am is an interesting drama starring Zhang Yu Xi and Wang Zi Qi. In this urban drama, they are con artists who pretend to be high-class people. This drama is full of funny scenes. But one thing that makes this drama stand out is the costumes.
The appearance of Zhang Yu Xi and Wang Zi Qi stole our hearts. Especially when Zhang Yu Qi wore a long black cheongsam with a hatinator. The costumes in Guess Who I Am were designed by Huang Wei, a stylist who used to work for Vogue China magazine.
Huang Wei also worked as a costume designer for famous dramas such as Princess Agents, A Dream of Splendor, Till the End of the Moon, Back from the Brink, My Journey to You, The Last Immortal, and Everyone Loves Me.
As expected from a capable costume designer, every costume in this drama is both stunning and entertaining. Especially the snobbish Jiang Nan Xuan, who collects colorful suits made of different fabrics. His taste in fashion is inspired by movies, but it seems that he chose an old classic movie as his clothes look outdated. 😅
Guess Who I Am is a story about Song Yao, who has magic eyes that can attract men with fat bank accounts. She uses her power to punish those with crooked minds and jackass manners. While doing her job, Song Yao crossed paths with Ji Cheng Chuan, who came from a wealthy family. However, this time her magic power did not work on him.
Unbeknownst to Song Yao, the Ji Cheng Chuan she tried to bewitch was an impostor named Qin Hao. He pretended to be Ji Cheng Chuan in order to infiltrate Ji’s family and their company, Chengtian, to investigate the person behind the fire that killed his father, the real Ji Cheng Chuan, and his mother, Lin Shu.
- Read the drama review: Guess Who I Am drama review
- Read the ending explained: Guess Who I Am ending explained
6. Fighting For Love
- Drama Title: Fighting For Love
- Also Known For: 阿麦从军, Soldier A Mai, A Mai Joins the Army, A Mai Joins The Military, A Mai Cong Jun, Huang Ye Ka Fei Guan
- Genres: Action, Romance, Historical
- Cast: Zhang Tian Ai, Zhang Hao Wei, Wang Rui Chang, Gao Ge
- Episodes: 36
- Date of Release: Jan 31, 2024
- Original Network: iQiyi
- Where to Watch: iQiyi
- Adapted from the novel “A Mai Cong Jun” by Xian Cheng
Fighting For Love is a visually artistic drama. There weren’t many historical action dramas that looked real in terms of wardrobe and makeup. Fighting for Love excels in these aspects. The costumes looked ordinary, but when you looked closer, each one was meticulously made. And the makeup, especially A Mai’s, is flawless.
Each costume was made to impress the viewer. The armor has a different pattern, as you can clearly see on the chest plate. The nobles were also dressed beautifully. Shang Yi Zhi’s, Chang Yu Qing’s, and the Empress’s robes. They were made to perfection.
They did not need heavy decoration or fancy design, but the fabric and simple design could create a stunning appearance. You should see when A Mai walked into the palace hall in a blue robe and armor. The camera was able to capture the beautiful movement of the robe and create a picturesque scene.
Fighting for Love is the story of A Mai, the first female general in Nanxia Kingdom. She was born a noble, but hid her identity and disguised herself as a man for years. A Mai wants to find her adopted brother, Chen Qi, and avenge the death of her parents. But it turns out that Chen Qi is now a marshal in the Beimo army.
Through a series of coincidences, A Mai meets Shang Yi Zhi, the young master from Marquis Dingnan’s mansion who is carefree and spoiled. A Mai and Shang Yi Zhi became close when fate brought them together again during the war.
At that time, A Mai joined the military as an infantryman, while Shang Yi Zhi took over his late father’s position as general of the Qingzhou Army. A Mai’s exceptional talents in warfare were quickly recognized by others. She assisted Shang Yi Zhi, who faced many difficulties in leading an army and accomplishing great deeds.
When we wrote this article, the last two dramas were still in progress, but we thought they should be mentioned in this article.
- Read the drama review: Fighting For Love drama review
- Read the ending explained: Fighting For Love ending explained
7. Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact
- Drama Title: Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact
- Also Known As: 狐妖小红娘月红篇, Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Yue Hong, Tu Shan Xiao Hong Niang Yue Hong Pian, Hu Yao Xiao Hong Niang: Yue Hong Pian
- Cast: Yang Mi, Gong Jun, Guo Xiao Ting, Wei Zhe Ming, Hu Lian Xin, Wen Zheng Rong
- Genres: Romance, Wuxia, Fantasy
- Episodes: 36
- Date of Release: May 23, 2024
- Original Network: iQiyi
- Where to Watch: iQiyi, WeTV
- Adapted from the manhua: “Hu Yao Xiao Hong Niang” by Tuo Xiao Xin
It seemed that Yang Mi always managed to act in a drama with beautiful costumes. Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact was no exception. The costume designer of this drama is Yi Xiao Ya. You may know her work from famous dramas such as Love Between Fairy and Devil, Love You Seven Times, The Princess and the Werewolf, and The Wonderland of Love. And this time she has done a very good job as well.
The first episode of Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact has already amazed us. Although we are not fans of the fox ear, the vibrant costumes of the Yushan Fox clan were enough to make us put this drama on the list. Gong Jun’s stunning appearance in hanfu also took our breath away. The design were simple, but the patterned fabric were beautiful.
Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact tells us the story of Tushan Hong Hong, the chief of the Tushan Fox Clan, and Dongfang Yue Chu, a human with a mysterious background who was hunted by the enemy because of his blood.
Tushan Hong Hong had sheltered Dongfang Yuechu in Tushan for years. Gradually, their bond grew stronger, and they eventually joined forces to fight the dark force that came to destroy the peace between humans and spirits.
8. The Double
- Drama Title: The Double
- Also Known As: 墨雨云间, Marriage of the Di Daughter, Di Jia Qian Jin, Mo Yu Yun Jian
- Cast: Wu Jin Yan, Wang Xing Yue, Chen Xin Hai
- Genres: Romance
- Episodes: 40
- Date of Release: Jun 2, 2024
- Original Network: Youku
- Where to Watch: Youku
- Adapted from the web novel: “Marriage of the Di Daughter” by Qian Shan Cha Ke
The Double was just released in early June. We joined the hype and watched The Double on the first day it was released. We were so excited to see Wu Jin Yan and Wang Xing Yue’s chemistry as a couple. We haven’t watched many episodes yet, but we are sure that The Double will be an exciting drama.
The first thing that caught our eye was Duke Su’s red cape and his eye-catching fan. The striking color is a contrast to Wang Xing Yue’s pale white skin. This gives us, the viewers, a beautiful sight. Later, Wang Xing Yue wore more beautiful robes and of course more fans 😉.
The Double tells us the story of Xue Fang Fei, who got a second chance at life after losing everything in a great upheaval. She lives again as Jiang Li, the second daughter of the Prime Minister. With the help of Duke Su, Xiao Heng, Xue Fang Fei overcame numerous obstacles to avenge the real Jiang Li and herself.
- Read the review: The Double drama review
- Read the ending explained: The Double ending explained
There are many dramas worth mentioning here. For instance, The Interpreter. This drama is a fantastic source of inspiration for anyone looking for ideas for their working outfit. Or Everyone Loves Me for a College Look from Yue Qian Ling.
All in all, I really hope this article could entertain you who love C-drama as much as we do. We will keep updating the list, so keep tuning on this Best Costume in Chinese Dramas 2024 article. I’ll see you in another article about C-drama, dear readers. Goodbye!
