logo
logo
Sign in

You Need a Cheongsam Now

avatar
good orient
You Need a Cheongsam Now

You might have heard folklores about Chinese fabric. The silk fabrics from China are well-renowned for their touch and feel. A lot of effort is put in to make each dress a spectacle to the eyes.

Centuries ago the dress system in ancient China was a fashion statement. In fact, the dress system was a complex and organized code of attires determined to be fit for each rank, social role, and gender. The set of attire in certain occasions and formality was also based on the dress system ideals.

It is said that the Chinese dress system was heavily influenced by Confucianism and other Chinese philosophies, and so many aspects of the design and function of each type of attire conveyed different meanings.

Chinese fabrics have always been a center of attention. The earliest tangible archaeological evidence for domesticated silk use in China dates back to 3300-2250 BC, as evidenced by remains from Qianshanyang, a Liangzu Neolithic site in the Zhejiang province of southern China.

The Imperial Kingdom did guard their product seriously. Silk fabrics and threads that did manage to cross China's borders into the hands of elites from western societies, however, proved to be one of the ultimate luxuries and an effective symbol of power and status.

There are many kind of Chinese dresses – from traditional cheongsam to modern qipao. If you are interested in the Oriental culture and want to add some class to your wardrobe, keep reading to learn more about different Chinese dresses and how to pick them for occasions.

A Quick History of Cheongsam

Qipao/Cheongsam is a kind of modernized fashionable Chinese dress. It was invented in the 1920s and 1930s.

The term “cheongsam” is usually used by Westerners to refer to women’s qipao. However, it literally means “long shirt/dress.” It is loose-fitting and usually worn by men now.

Qipao/Cheongsam used Western costume elements to remold the original Manchu clothes. It may have some Han elements, but in essence, it is the product of the influence of Western culture.

Hanfu is the traditional clothing of ethnic Chinese. The "Han" refers to the Han ethnicity. The "Fu" means clothing. Qipao/Cheongsam has been catering to western fashion since its birth. In its popular period, it will change with the changes of western fashion every year. Qipao/Cheongsam has nothing to do with any traditional Chinese culture, though one can see visible references picked from the traditional attire.

Cheongsam, or Qipao for short, was a Westernized form of Manchurian Qizhuang (or Manchurian clothing) by the Han Chinese. Qipao was, in fact, a modern creation by Han women (Han Chinese women did not adopt Manchurian clothing before this period, but only borrowing influences such as patterns and designs).

The qipao entered mainstream Chinese culture during the Qing dynasty. But the modern styles we know today are very different from how it was originally. It began as a conservative dress with straight and loose cuts. Intricate designs were embroidered into the fabric. Through colonization, the qipao became westernized.

Manchu women usually chose silk fabric as the basic material for qipao, embroidered with flower patterns, trimmed with lace. The gowns were generally ankle-length, except for the time when young women were about to get married and excepting noble women in royal palaces, who wore heels as high as three inches, requiring longer gowns.

The cut for the sideways lapel symbolizes wealth and prosperity. The length of the cheongsam also represents status, since longer clothing is unsuitable for physical labor. In the Republican era, it was the clothing of educated scholars.

Qipao/Cheongsam can only be worn by women as it was designed and invented specifically for adult women. Qipao/Cheongsam has a three-dimensional cut, which is typical of western dressing style.

Qipao: The Buying Guide

Compared to the traditional Chinese dresses, qipao is more modern, and it is more in accordance with common taste.

The Qipao is a body hugging outfit, meaning it is designed to show off curves and skin. So, if you dare to bare, this mixture of modern & traditional will be a great choice.

And, if you’re a guy reading this…The men’s equivalent of Qipao is Changshan, but its form hasn’t evolved as much and is still quite traditional, possibly due to Han Chinese men being forced to wear these for hundreds of years.

So, here’s some things you should take note of –

  • Don’t plan on wearing a Qipao with a pant.
  • Frog Fasteners are a typical trait for Qipao. Not only are they decorative, they are also needed to keep the Qipao closed and in place.
  • Take a note of the slit. A cheongsam will have the slit near the thigh level or lower.
  • There are different variations of cheongsam – you can choose from frog fasters, press studs, invisible zippers, etc. Some cheongsam might have a zipper on the back as well.
  • You can get the whole gamut! Cap-sleeved, sleeveless, three quarter, long sleeved – the choice is yours to make.
  • The hemline of a cheongsam will be slightly curved, sharp, or crisp.

Modernized Qipaos are quite diverse. What’s interesting is that they are bringing back looser waistlines for ease of movement, and the fact that hiding the form is now trendy.

Do not fall for fake propaganda about national Chinese dresses. China is a multi-ethnic country, whether the Manchu or the Han, their clothing is a part of Chinese culture. Because Qipao is more convenient to wear than Hanfu, and more in line with the needs of modern people, so Qipao has been used more widely.

The qipao is the perfect evening dress for social functions. Brides also chose it for their wedding dresses. In fact, the qipao has been the longest reigning favorites among oriental dress styles. Non-Chinese women have also embraced the qipao.

The prices vary from seller to seller. However, if you want the best, you should know that expensive fabrics like silk, lace and velvet are often used to justify the stratospheric price tags of qipao.

So, if you want to make a bold statement (within budget), head on to Good Orient now.

 

collect
0
avatar
good orient
guide
Zupyak is the world’s largest content marketing community, with over 400 000 members and 3 million articles. Explore and get your content discovered.
Read more