中国自古以来就是一个多民族国家。由于除汉族以外的55个民族人口相对较少，因此习惯上被称为“少数民族”。中国少数民族的服饰，指的是各少数民族的传统服饰。

Since ancient times, China has been a multi-ethnic country. Besides the Han ethnic group, there are 55 ethnic groups, which, being relatively small in population, are customarily referred to as “ethnic minorities” and the phrase “traditional apparel of ethnic minorities” refers to their traditional attires.

　   不同民族由于生存环境、习俗文化等方面的差异，服饰的特点也不尽相同。

Due to different living conditions and social customs, the ethnic groups vary from each other in their clothes.

　   比如生活在世界屋脊的藏族，为了适应当地高寒的气候条件，就有了传统的藏袍。藏袍的特点是肥大、长袖、宽腰、右襟。藏袍最讲究的是边饰、衣袖、衣襟，衣底往往镶上贵重的毛皮和丝绸滚边，内衣一般为白缎衬衫。藏袍既无口袋，也不用纽扣。腰间系上腰带，胸前凸成大行囊，里面可以装随身用品。藏族人大量运用红与绿、赤与蓝、黄与紫等对比色，配色十分大胆、精巧。他们常用十字纹样作装饰，给人以“慈善”、“爱抚”、“与人为善”的联想。藏族妇女冬穿长袖长袍，夏着无袖长袍，腰前系一块彩色花纹的围裙。藏族人无论男女老幼，都喜欢戴金花帽。盛大的节日里，用金银丝缎装饰的花帽，在阳光下闪闪发光。五彩斑斓的盛装，将雪域高原点染得格外亮丽。

For instance, in order to adapt to the frigid climate, the Tibetan people who live on the “roof of the world” created the traditional Tibetan robe, which is loose-fitting, with long sleeves, a wide waist and an opening on the right side (referred to as the right-side jin). The most special parts of the outfit are the edgings, sleeves and the front; the bottom edge is usually studded with precious fur and bordered with silk; and the undergarment is normally a shirt made of white satin. The Tibetan robe has neither pockets nor buttons, but when it is fastened with a waistband at the waist, there is plenty of room around the ribcage to carry pocket items. Tibetan people make extensive use of contrasting colors like red and green, red and blue, yellow and purple, creating a bold and elaborate effect. They tend to use cross patterns for decoration, which are designedto make one think of “benevolence”, “tender touch” and “good deeds”. Tibetan women wear a long-sleeved robe in winter and a sleeveless robe in summer, with an apron of colorful patterns tied around the waist. Tibetan people of all ages and both genders love to wear a hat with flowery patterns. On grand festivals, the hats decorated with flowery patterns with golden and silver silk glitter in the sun and the splendid dresses of all colors add to the beauty of the snow-covered highlands.

　   蒙古族服饰包括长袍、腰带、靴子和首饰等。蒙古族男女老少一年四季都喜欢穿长袍，男袍一般比较宽大，尽显奔放豪迈；女袍则比较紧身，以展示身材的苗条和健美。男装多为蓝色、棕色，女装则喜用红色、粉色、绿色、天蓝色。腰带是蒙古族服饰重要的组成部分，用三四米长的绸缎或棉布制成。蒙古人钟爱的靴子分皮靴和布靴两种，蒙古靴做工精细，靴帮等处都有精美的图案。佩挂首饰是蒙古人的习惯。玛瑙、翡翠、珊瑚、珍珠、白银等名贵原料使蒙古族的首饰富丽华贵。

The Mongolian clothing features robes, waistbands, boots and jewelry. All Mongolians, men and women, old and young, like wearing robes all year round. Robes for men are made wide and loose to give full expression of boldness and generosity, while those for women are tight fitting to show off their slender and fit physique. Men’s robes are mostly blue or brown, while women’s are more likely to be red, pink, green or sky blue. Waistbands are an important component of the Mongolian attire, usually made of a silk or cotton fabric three or four meters long. Mongolians favor two types of boots: one is leather boots and the other is cloth boots. The Mongolian boots are of excellent workmanship, with exquisite patterns designed on the uppers as well as some other parts of them. Mongolians have a habit of wearing jewelries. Agate, jadeite, coral, pearl, silver and other precious materials make the Mongolian jewelries all gorgeous and luxurious.