Chinese idiom · 成语
衣冠楚楚
Meaning
Garments neat and tidy; impeccably dressed.
Character by character
Origin and story
Poetic imageIn the Shijing (詩經), the Cao Feng poem Fuyou opens with the mayfly's wings and the phrase 衣裳楚楚, presenting an image of bright, fine clothing. Its repeated expressions of unease and questions about a resting place complicate that beautiful appearance. Readers have interpreted the poem in different ways, including as a reflection on fragile, fleeting life.
The later idiom replaces 裳, a garment, with 冠, a cap. It describes an impressively neat, well-dressed appearance, often that of a man. The praise is about outward presentation: a person can be 衣冠楚楚 without necessarily being wise, trustworthy, or morally admirable.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
为了参加妹妹的婚礼，他把自己打扮得衣冠楚楚。
He dressed smartly for his younger sister's wedding.
Describes smart, tidy dress; it does not establish someone's character.