The 2011 Travel Expo has concluded successfully, and at this tourism‑uniform showcase, Luzhi Tourism Development Company was awarded the silver prize. Today, the Suzhou Daily’s A18 travel section featured a special report titled “Draping in Style, Savoring Suzhou,” which highlighted the traditional attire of Jiangnan’s water towns. The article devoted considerable space to the Luzhi water‑town women’s costume—known as the “minority ethnic group of Jiangnan” and designated as one of the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage—as well as to the tourism‑specific professional uniforms that have been refined and adapted from it.

Content published in the Suzhou Daily:

A performance troupe composed of 12 beauties from Luzhi’s water towns, with their distinctive traditional attire, exudes a unique charm and has become a favorite subject for photographers. According to an official from the Luzhi Tourism Development Company, the women’s costumes of Luzhi’s water towns—also known as those of the Wudong region—are often referred to as the “minority ethnic costume of Jiangnan” and were designated in 2006 by the State Council as part of the first batch of national-level intangible cultural heritage.

The women’s attire of the Luzhi Water Town, shaped over more than two millennia by local customs and the demands of daily life and labor, has evolved into a harmonious blend of beauty and practicality, rich in regional character. It comprises eight essential components: the triangular headscarf, the floral‑patterned breast apron, the large‑placket patchwork blouse, the split‑crotch floral trousers, the pleated skirt with a hundred gathers, the waist‑binding sash, the patchwork embroidered shoes, and the leg‑wrapping bindings—earning it the poetic nickname “a blue‑lotus blouse and lotus‑root‑colored skirt.” The style was most prevalent around Luzhi, extending to neighboring areas such as Chefang, Xietang, Shengpu, Weiting, Zhangpu, and Jinxi (including Chenmu). Among these locales, the Luzhi version is regarded as the quintessential example, celebrated for its remarkable completeness and representative qualities. With the passage of time, it has become increasingly rare to see an entire ensemble worn as a single outfit; however, pieces that combine one or two elements remain commonly encountered.

To safeguard and pass down Luzhi’s traditional costume culture, the Luzhi Tourism Development Company has refined the water‑town attire. Building on the time‑honored “patchwork” technique of these garments, they have incorporated modern materials and colors, creating a professional uniform for tour guides, boatwomen, and ticket‑checking staff. The competition entries fully embody this approach. For instance, the guide’s outfit features three key elements from the traditional “Eight Major Pieces”: the large‑collar patchwork jacket, the waist‑cinching belt, and the hundred‑patch embroidered shoes; the boatwoman’s ensemble includes the same jacket, belt, and shoes, plus a triangular headscarf and a pleated skirt with a hundred panels; while the ticket‑clerk and information‑desk uniforms are even simpler. This updated professional attire both preserves the distinctive character of Luzhi’s water‑town costumes and meets the practical demands of daily work, all while harmonizing beautifully with the surrounding historic townscape.