Myrobalan (pronounced hēzǐ) is the underwear in Hanfu, also known as "stocking breasts", "襕 skirt", "Albizia 襥 skirt", "tube top", etc. Women's corsets in Han costumes are tied from the back to the front, with threads underneath, which can be tied around the waist of the skirt at the same time. Popular in the Tang Dynasty, Song Dynasty, and Ming Dynasty.

Before the Tang Dynasty, underwear had straps on the shoulders. In the Tang Dynasty, a strapless underwear called "myrobalan" appeared. This is also determined by the shape characteristics of the coat: women in the Tang Dynasty liked to wear "semi-breasted skirts". They tied the skirt high on the chest and then tied a wide belt under the chest.

Extended information:

The evolution of ancient underwear:

1. Qin and Han Dynasties: Baowen and Xinyi. The so-called underwear of women in this period could only be worn when a woman was buried, and could not be worn for others to see.

2. Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties: Liang Dang. The reason why it is called "Liangdang" is that it usually has two layers, one layer is quilted, which will give girls warmth and comfort in winter. It was introduced to the mainland by the Jurchen tribe and is very practical. Protects the chest and keeps warm.

3. Tang Dynasty: 袔子. In the Tang Dynasty, fatness was regarded as beauty, and women were much more open-minded than before. Semi-revealing skirts were their favorite, and their underwear fabrics pursued colorful and low-cut styles. Tie the belt tightly at the high waist to make the breasts more visible, and then put a translucent shawl on the outermost part.

4. Song Dynasty: tube top. The underwear worn by women in the Song Dynasty was a bit like the bellybands we wear today, with a halter neck style. At that time, due to the rule of Confucianism, people's lives were relatively simple, so women's clothing tended to be more conservative. Women's underwear in the Song Dynasty was dominated by natural and beautiful flowers and birds, or simple geometric figures.

5. Qing Dynasty: Dudou. This is a real bellyband! Yes~ you guessed it right, the Qing Dynasty was the predecessor of the real bellyband. This bellyband is designed in a diamond shape, covering the belly button and then exposing the flesh around the waist. Women in the Qing Dynasty also liked to use various chains and red silk to decorate their clothes.

Baidu Encyclopedia—Myrobalan (ancient Chinese women’s bra)