The origin of the military coat
At the beginning of the 20th century, China was in the midst of a turbulent war years. In order to unify the dress of the army, and considering the cold winter in northern China, there was an urgent need for a military uniform that could keep warm.
At this time, the then president Yuan Shikai saw the long coats worn by European soldiers, which had a remarkable effect on keeping warm. So he hired a designer to design a military coat designed for Chinese soldiers by referring to the style of European-style long coats and adding Chinese design elements.
This military coat is designed with two oblique pockets on the back and a copper buckle at the placket as decoration, and the simple and unpretentious style highlights the practical function. At the same time, Yuan Shikai chose pure cotton fabrics and thickened cotton filling, so that the military coat had an excellent effect of warmth.
After the first batch of samples was completed, Yuan Shikai personally went to the military camp in the north to inspect and found that the soldiers liked this military coat very much, and strongly recommended it to be used in the whole army.
At first, due to the limited cotton production at that time, military coats were only supplied to high-ranking generals and officers. Many rank-and-file soldiers looked up at the officers' military overcoats with envy.
They know the warmth of the coat and dream of wearing it themselves. Over time, industrialization progressed, and the production of military coats increased.
Finally, each Chinese soldier received his own military coat. They sincerely thanked the great leader for keeping them out of the cold.
The rise and fall of military coats in China
After the reform and opening up, China's economy has developed rapidly, and the people's living standards have also been greatly improved. In the 80s of the 20th century, with the prosperity of the market economy, all kinds of consumer goods came into the lives of ordinary people.
The military coat also took advantage of the situation to enter people's field of vision and became the most popular clothing item at that time.
Those veterans who have served in the barracks will go out of their way to buy a brand new military coat. Whenever they put it on, they always remember the bits and pieces of being in the army when they were young.
For them, the military coat is not only warm, but also nostalgic.
Young people have also bought military coats to wear, which looks more energetic and full of youthful vitality. The price of the military coat is not high, but the quality is very good, and it is very popular with the common people.
For a time, men and women wearing military coats could be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys, which became the "national coat" at that time.
But the good times didn't last long, and in the 21st century, as various trendy fashion concepts entered China, military coats gradually became obsolete. More and more foreign brands with a wide variety of patterns are emerging, showing a variety of personalities.
The design of the military coat is single, and it gradually loses the market. The younger generation sees it as "rustic" and no longer regards the military coat as a fashion item. Many people use military coats as overalls, which are only temporarily worn during labor or mountain climbing.
The baton of fashion has been quietly passed on to those new and unique foreign brands.
Military coats have set off a rush to buy abroad
In stark contrast to the gradual elimination of military coats in China, it has set off a boom abroad and is deeply loved by young people in Europe and the United States. It all started with a foreign tourist named John.
In the 90s of the 20th century, John came to China for a visit. When he first saw the military coats worn by the workers, he was fascinated by the simple and unpretentious design.
The north wind was biting that day, but he felt extremely warm after putting on his military coat. So he immediately inquired about the origin and bought one to take home with him at the end of the trip.
Upon his return to the country, John shared the experience with his compatriots. I didn't expect that such a small story would set off a wave of military coat buying in foreign countries! Foreign friends have expressed their desire to come to China to buy this kind of "fashionable shirt."
Chinese merchants were caught off guard when they received this news. For a time, the supply of military coats exceeded demand, and the price rose.
It turns out that in the eyes of foreigners, this simple and solid military coat exudes an oriental mysterious temperament. It represents more than just clothes, but also a cultural code. Being able to bring Chinese elements back to China and become their new fashion symbol makes young people in Europe and the United States extremely excited.
In this way, a "military coat fever" spread around the world.
The cultural meaning of the military coat
Although the military coat is no longer a mainstream consumer product these days, it still has a specific user base. For example, construction workers in military coats still abound on cold construction sites.
For them, the military coat is a good helper to keep out the cold. In addition, some historical-themed film and television works will also use military coats as scenery elements. When the actor wears it, it seems to travel back to the era of the heroic resistance war.
In recent years, some designers have begun to create new styles based on the original design of the military coat, adding many innovative elements. This makes this old military uniform look fashionable and energetic, and is sought after by the new generation.
It can be said that the military coat is not just an ordinary clothing, it carries a strong historical and cultural connotation.
Looking back at the changes of the military coat, we see more than just the process of its transformation from prosperity to decline. It is also a microcosm of the times, symbolizing the rapid development of Chinese from poverty to a well-off life.
Nowadays, military coats are welcomed by foreign countries and have become a footnote for Chinese culture to go global. This coat carries so many stories and cultural meanings that it has transcended its own consumption attributes.
I believe that in the future, such a classic item with a historical imprint will continue to shine with a new attitude. Its story will continue to be told.
Conclusion
A seemingly ordinary piece of clothing can actually carry rich historical and cultural connotations. It can not only witness the development and change of a country, but also serve as a bridge to connect different cultures.
The story of the change of the military coat is such a vivid example. It is like a modern history of China, recording the rapid development of the Chinese from poverty to moderate prosperity.
It not only reflects the simple and simple aesthetic feelings of the Chinese, but also is loved abroad because of its national characteristics.
If clothing is a cultural symbol, then the military coat has become a link between China and foreign countries, allowing the world to understand the historical heritage of Chinese culture. I believe that in the future, such a legendary classic item will be passed on with a new attitude.
How much of a story a piece of clothing can accomplish depends on how we interpret it. The story of the change of the military coat is only a microcosm of its legendary life. Let's look forward to the next page of its heritage.