Digital reconstruction and sustainable preservation of traditional men’s formal attire from 1920s–1940s Shanghai

Men’s formal attire played a crucial role in shaping the social image of the Chinese in 1920s–1940s Shanghai, as the city evolved into an international metropolis. This type of heritage clothing, which is continually undergoing aging, can be reconstructed and sustainably preserved through the non-destructive approach offered by digital technology. However, digital reconstruction of historical men’s formal attire faces challenges in determining both the original use occasions and the wearer’s body dimensions. In this study, cross-referenced historical sources and digital tools including CAD and CLO3D were employed to restore the styles, colors, fabrics, and patterns of traditional men’s formal attire from 1920s–1940s Shanghai. Body measurements were estimated using proportion analysis and the gradient descent method. Three-dimensional models of typical samples were constructed, visually reproducing the sartorial image of traditional Shanghai gentlemen during that time. This work provides a framework for digitizing historical costumes and inspires cultural innovation in contemporary menswear design.