Approximation and Preciseness: The Traditional Measurement and Cutting of Ethnic Mongolian Costume in China

Ethnic costume involves systematic traditional culture and diverse folk wisdom. While the modernized measurement and standardized size concepts have influenced the conventional measure and transitional sewing technology in the fabrication practice of ethnic Mongolian costume in modern times. The tradition versus modernity have always been the controversial idea among local society and negotiation in inheritance of traditional culture, as well as attracted great academic interests. In earlier times, as part of the collective memory, traditional Mongolian measurement means not only ensuring the social-cultural continuity but also reflects the invisible discipline power in their own communities, in which facilitated the trade with other culture and material abundance. Conversely, today, the transformation of measurement and cutting artistry of Mongolian costume plays an self-healing role in community. Locally, conventional fabricating techniques symbolized the essence of nomadic culture and social values of exquisite handicraft. Traditional sewing and cutting techniques somehow represented the individual experience of self-worth and social wealth in local community. This paper, examines the innovation of traditional ethnic costume culture and dynamic developing costume market, that reconstructed the traditional culture and diversification of essential cultural need. Meanwhile, this paper illustrated the respect to transitional fabricating craftsmanship as an ethnic costume consumer and a member of ethnic Mongolian culture. Also, the paper discussed in terms of case studies of Mongolian costume practitioners in local society who was part of the costume culture.