A long, front button robe with wide, trimmed collar and cascading sleeves (shuixiu), the “pei” is the informal garment for nobles, senior court officials and their spouses. The fabric is covered with gold or silk thread embroidered patterns, members of the imperial family wear yellow, the color red is reserved for the scholar who achieved the highest score on highest level of the Chinese imperial examinations (zhuangyuan) and other celebratory occasions like weddings, the elderly uses light olive green and young men use powder blue or pink.  There are no color restrictions for other character roles.

The red pei is the informal garment of young court officials and the formal wear of the bridegroom at the wedding.  Its base is red with either round or branching embroidered patterns using gold and silk threads, the color combination and pattern design should be as striking and luxuriant as possible.

“Couple’s look” is not a modern invention. Pairing peis are matching male and female robes generally worn by characters playing a couple. The robes are of the same color with identical round embroidery patterns to create a visual cohesiveness on stage.

The yellow pei is the everyday wear reserved only for the nobles like the emperor, the empress and the court consorts.  The embroidery uses metallic threads to distinguish the wearer´s social position and for added visual effect.