Chinese Dress: Qipao

1. Chinese Dress: Qipao • Qipao or cheongsam (旗袍) are one-piece Chinese dresses that have been worn since the Manchu ruled China in the 17th century. This dress was made stylish by upper class women and socialites in the year back 1920s in Shanghai. It is known for its stylishness and tight fitting look and also known in English as a mandarin gown. • What Does a Qipao Look Like? • Wide and baggy was the original looks of qipao. Straight skirt and high neck is the feature of a one-peace and by tradition, it is made of silk and feature intricate embroidery. It covered majority of woman’s body. • After it was created in Shanghai China back in year 1920s,chinese clothing:Qipao worn today more modernized. It has a design of bell sleeves or be sleeveless as well as made out from a selection of fabrics. The modern qipao is a one-piece, formfitting, floor length dress that has a high slit on one or both sides. Hong Kong taking place to wear more functional cheongsam made of twill, wool, and other materials in the year 1950s. • Some politicians in Hong Kong and Taiwan wearing qipao dress in the year 1960s and also it appears on some Chinese movies wearing by Chinese actress. The dresses were a synthesis of Chinese tradition with recent styles. Cheongsam were commonly replaced by more relaxing garments such as jeans, sweaters, skirts, and business suits. Because of its uncertain environment, it is now mostly worn as proper wear for significant occasions. Others are using qipao for work wear, uniform, sports related, and many more. • When Is a Qipao Worn? • Way back in the year 17th century, the qipao was worn almost every day but in this modern era, it can be worn only in choose or limited occasions or events like beauty pageants, weddings and parties. In some place also in Asia, qipao is used as uniforms at the airplanes, hotels and sometimes in restaurants. • Who Came Up with the Design of the Qipao? • An organization for systematize the entire Manchu families into administrative divisions was build during Manchu rule, Nurhachi (努爾哈赤, Nǔ’ěrhāchì), a chieftan. The traditional dress that Manchu women wore became known as the qipao (旗袍, banner gown). In the year 1636, the male version of this qipao, chángpáo (長袍) was created for the Han Chinese men. In Shanghai, it became a trendy dress in the upper class and famous person in the year 1920s. The Shanghainese took the dress to Hong Kong where it remained trendy. In year 1950s, working women frequently paired it with jacket. $100 is the cost of off-the-rack qipao while one with embroidery cost higher. • Website : http://www.goodorient.com/ Asia Offices • Beijing, China : (Main Office) • Room 2310, Unit A6, Midtown Building, Guangqujiayuan, Chongwen District, Beijing City, China 100022 Phone: (+86 10) 8751 3441 (international charge) • USA : (Administrative Rep Office) • Monroe Services 2405 W. Atlanta Ct. Broken Arrow, OK (Oklahoma) 74012 United States of America Phone: 1-888-226-4088 (Toll Free) • Email:support_department@goodorient.com