Peking opera costumes evolved over the centuries from the those worn by traditional dancers. By the Wanli reign (1753-1620) of the Ming dynasty Peking opera was already firmly established and most of the costumes had taken on their present day forms.
戲箱裡，包括有戲裝、盔頭、靴鞋、口面（髯鬚）、切末（道具）、把子（武器… …）等，都可算做行頭，但是目前一般人所習稱的「行頭」，則多指演員身上的衣冠靴鞋而言。