The APEC jackets were intended to reflect "both traditional Chinese flavor and modern ideals".
They have straight Mandarin collars, similar to those on the changshan and magua that gave the style its name.
Unlike the traditional 2D "flat-cutting" (平面裁剪, píngmiàn cáijiǎn) process used to create those garments, which tends to produce a baggy and ill-fitted look, tangzhuangs are made using the 3D "solid-cutting" (t 立體裁剪, s 立体裁剪, lìtǐ cáijiǎn) process developed in Europe.
In particular, they employ draping, darts, and set-in sleeves cut separately from the rest of the main garment, which give them a more fitted look than traditional Chinese designs.
The original version also employed shoulder pads to give a stronger silhouette.

Although the APEC jackets were pointedly made using artificial fibers, silk tangzhuang have since outsold those made from cotton and other materials.
Tangzhuang are available in a variety of colors, although the most common are red or blue.
The brocade is often decorated with a repeated pattern of embroidery.
Common designs involve the repetition of auspicious Chinese characters such as fú (福, "happiness") or shòu (t 壽, s 寿, "longevity") for good luck and good wishes.
Tangzhuang are usually fastened with decorative knotwork instead of buttons.

Tangzhuang are usually considered menswear but they may also be worn by women, as by New Zealand's prime minister Helen Clark at APEC 2001.
The APEC jackets were intended to reflect "both traditional Chinese flavor and modern ideals". They have straight Mandarin collars, similar to those on the changshan and magua that gave the style its name. Unlike the traditional 2D "flat-cutting" (平面裁剪, píngmiàn cáijiǎn) process used to create those garments, which tends to produce a baggy and ill-fitted look, tangzhuangs are made using the 3D "solid-cutting" (t 立體裁剪, s 立体裁剪, lìtǐ cáijiǎn) process developed in Europe. In particular, they employ draping, darts, and set-in sleeves cut separately from the rest of the main garment, which give them a more fitted look than traditional Chinese designs. The original version also employed shoulder pads to give a stronger silhouette.
Although the APEC jackets were pointedly made using artificial fibers, silk tangzhuang have since outsold those made from cotton and other materials. Tangzhuang are available in a variety of colors, although the most common are red or blue. The brocade is often decorated with a repeated pattern of embroidery. Common designs involve the repetition of auspicious Chinese characters such as fú (福, "happiness") or shòu (t 壽, s 寿, "longevity") for good luck and good wishes. Tangzhuang are usually fastened with decorative knotwork instead of buttons.
Tangzhuang are usually considered menswear but they may also be worn by women, as by New Zealand's prime minister Helen Clark at APEC 2001.
Tangzhuang