Introduced in the original Street Fighter as the series' first female fighter, Chun-Li's story has been one of tragedy and revenge. As a member of Interpol's police force and martial artist, Chun-Li decided to put her skills to the test following the murder of her father at the hands 0f M. Bison. With a desire to exact revenge for the terrible act, Chun-Li donned her iconic outfit and began her journey -- but her clothing represents more than just a her sense of style. In fact, its symbolism makes her one of the most well thought out fighters in the franchise.
From the top, Chun-Li's iconic ox horn hairstyle is covered by white brocades that symbolize the loss of her father. This represents the fact that she is still in mourning. Honoring her parents doesn't stop there, as her blue dress (called a qipao) is tied to her late mother. Though she passed away when Chun-Li was a small child, the blue dress with gold accents resembles one her mother wore in an old photo.
Aside from its emotional impact, Chun-Li's dress also has practical modifications that have aided her in combat for years. To compensate for her kick-focused martial arts, the sides of the dress are open so that she can kick as high as needed without resistance. The entire dress is also weighted down to grow her strength while maintaining her finesse.
At a glance, her spiked bracelets appear to be used solely for intimidation, but their true purpose hides in plain sight. Weighing in at approximately 15-22 pounds, the solid iron bracelets are designed for regular exercise, keeping her toned. Due to the amount of weight she carries during a fight, it's entirely possible that her full strength has yet to be seen.
Another benefit of Chun-Li's bracelets is that they help keep her balanced while unleashing her iconic kicks. By maintaining her center of gravity, Chun-Li can launch a series of super-rapid kicks known as Hyakuretsukyaku (Hundred Rending Legs). They also limit her body while unleashing the even more powerful super move, Senretsukyaku (Thousand Rending Legs).
Finally, while Chun-Li's boots (which are typically shown as knee-highs or combat boots) do not carry additional symbolism, the fact they aren't weighted ensures her kicks are fast and precise. At every level, Chun-Li's outfit allows her to be effective in combat, taking on enemies with her signature style. The physical weights also represent the metaphorical weight she carries with her -- something also expressed through the outfit's references to her parents. No matter where she goes or who she fights, Chun-Li will always carry her family's memory with her.
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