[Da Qiao cosplay] Honor of Kings Warring States Period Robe: Swaying the Paper Umbrella, Dreaming Back to Jiangdong

This time's theme is Da Qiao from Honor of Kings, and the costume chosen is in the Warring States Period Robe (Hanfu) style. From the moment I first received this outfit, I could feel the design's homage to classical elements. The outer layer is a wide robe with large sleeves featuring a color-block of orange-red and light pink, bordered by blue-and-white patterned trims. Inside, it is paired with a white crossed-collar inner robe, with waist ties cinching the waistline. The material overall is relatively soft, providing a lovely drape to the skirt hem and sleeves when walking, but because of the multiple layers, the heat during outdoor shooting was quite noticeable.

The wig was styled with two thick braids draped across the chest, and the bangs were trimmed to eyebrow length. For makeup, rather than pursuing overly heavy glamour, I mainly relied on eye makeup to elongate the eyes, paired with blue contact lenses to match Da Qiao's eye color. A set of orange-red floral hair accessories adorned the hair, echoing the colors of the outfit. For props, I prepared a white paper umbrella with ink-wash calligraphy patterns; the ribs are made of bamboo, and a red tassel hangs from the handle. To hold this umbrella steadily, the wrist and arm postures were adjusted multiple times before the shoot.

The shooting location was chosen in a Jiangnan garden-style courtyard. The background featured dark wooden corridors and grey-tiled eaves, with running water cascading from rockeries into a pond, where red carps swimming beneath were clearly visible. To find the right angle, I sat on a wooden bench along the corridor, facing sideways toward the camera. Sunlight filtered through the treetops onto the umbrella surface, making the ink traces look delightfully translucent. Because the site had water and lush vegetation, there were quite a few mosquitoes, so touch-ups and applying insect repellent were virtually non-stop during shooting breaks.

What required the most effort to overcome when shooting this outfit was the sitting posture and arm support. The bench was at a certain height above the ground; sitting down while wearing wide sleeves and multi-layered skirts truly tested center-of-gravity balance. Factoring in the weight of the umbrella and the need to keep my back straight, every seemingly natural shot was actually completed with my core engaged. Fortunately, the lighting on the day was wonderful—this soft light suited the classical texture of the Warring States Period Robe perfectly. The sound of waterfalls and birdsong in the garden setting also made it easier for me to immerse myself into Da Qiao's character.

This Warring States Period Robe has many delightful details worth savoring, such as the delicate red trim at the bottom of the sleeves, subtly revealing itself as I moved. The entire shoot felt more like an immersion in Ancient style photography and traditional culture—not just wearing a costume, but grasping the character's temperament and mannerisms. I hope everyone enjoys this Da Qiao Warring States Period Robe styling.