In Nezha 2, each character has a distinct and striking design. We’ve already explored the Hanfu inspirations behind other characters—today, let’s take a closer look at Deer Boy‘s outfit. For those less familiar with Hanfu, you might be wondering: why does his top only reveal half of itself? Where did the other half go? Let’s dive into the design choices behind his look!

Ⅰ. What Are “Wenwu Sleeves”?  

This type of sleeve design is known as Wenwu Sleeves (文武袖), though this term is more commonly used in traditional Chinese opera. In the history of traditional clothing, similar styles appeared as early as the Tang Dynasty, with origins tracing back to the Hu-style riding attire.  

Hanfu sleeves can generally be categorized into ‘’Wen sleeves‘’ (文袖) and ‘’Wu sleeves‘’ (武袖). Wen sleeves are wide and flowing, often seen in formal attire or scholars’ daily wear, symbolizing elegance and grace (as they were primarily decorative rather than practical for movement). Wu sleeves, on the other hand, have narrower cuffs, making them more practical for movement and commonly found in military attire, hunting clothes, or casual wear—ideal for walking and horseback archery (as overly wide sleeves could be cumbersome in action).  

The Wenwu Sleeve style involves wearing one sleeve of the outermost layer as usual, while draping the other sleeve down to reveal the inner layer of clothing. Doesn’t it create a striking and regal look?

In Flourished Peony, Li Xian’s character, Jiang Changyang (蒋长扬), frequently wears this style. The round-collar robe is often layered with an inner round-collar shirt and a banbi (半臂, short-sleeved garment). When practicing martial arts, archery, or manual labor, this “one-sleeve-off” style (袒膊, expose the arm) was commonly adopted for convenience.  

Inside the robe, an extra banbi was often added, and the material was usually stiff to help support the sleeves of the outer robe, making the wearer appear broader and more imposing. This function is similar to modern shoulder pads or even muscle-enhancing garments, adding to the overall heroic and powerful appearance.

Ⅱ. Other Film and Game References

The choice of fabric, whether to expose patterns or not, was a subtle fashion trick used by ancient Chinese people. This half-arm exposure style, combining a belt with a round-collar robe, was actually a smart way to adapt to seasonal temperature changes. During spring and autumn, when the temperature fluctuates between day and night, wearing two full layers might be too bulky, while a single layer could be too chilly at night. By wearing it “half-on, half-off,” people could adjust their outfit as needed—functionally, it was like wearing half a garment, and stylistically, it was quite trendy.

In Black Myth: Wukong, similar styling appears. The character either wears only one sleeve or removes one completely, wrapping the loose sleeve around the waist and tucking it into a tiaoxie belt. This approach perfectly fits the Tang Dynasty’s ideal of balancing scholarly refinement with martial prowess. Fully worn, it suits daily life; with one sleeve off, it allows for archery and horseback riding. In summer, it also helps with heat dissipation—eliminating the need to change clothes. This design embodies both elegance and practicality, truly a versatile way of dressing.

In the historical drama Young White Horse Drunken in Spring Breeze (《少年白马醉春风》), the character Ye Dingzhi (叶鼎之) also adopts the half-exposed round-collar robe style. However, for cinematic purposes, the design has been simplified, leaving only its decorative function.

Besides wearing robes loosely, ancient people also had practical ways to adjust their attire. When running or engaging in physical activities, long robes could be cumbersome. In such cases, they would lift the hem and tuck it up, exposing the thighs—something that might seem quite “eye-catching” by modern standards. However, since they always had an inner layer, there was no risk of exposure.

In Nezha 2, Deer Boy is often depicted wearing his robe this way during combat scenes, which aligns with traditional clothing practices.

The term “wenwu sleeves” (文武袖) or “wenwu robe” (文武袍) refers to a style that combines armor with robes. As the name suggests, this outfit involves wearing armor first, then draping a robe over it while exposing one arm—symbolizing the balance of civil and martial virtues. This style is commonly seen in traditional Chinese opera, where it is used to represent characters who are both scholars and warriors, such as Guan Yu and Yue Fei. In opera, wenwu robes are often highly decorative, featuring vibrant colors that make them a striking visual element on stage. This has helped cement the term in popular memory.

This style has also influenced some ethnic minority clothing traditions in China. For example, Tibetan attire still features a one-sleeve-off look, which serves both practical and stylistic purposes—helping to adapt to the dramatic temperature shifts of the plateau while also adding a fashionable touch.

Summary

Interestingly, the one-sleeve style is also popular in modern fashion. Designs featuring a single sleeve or even garments intentionally made with just one sleeve have appeared on runways and in streetwear. Pretty trendy, isn’t it?