The eternal classic and fashion --- Qipao

The eternal classic and fashion --- Qipao

By. Lucy (Xue Feng)

In China, the word “qipao” also known as "cheongsam” simply means "long dress”. It is derived from the dialect of Guangdong Province in China.

In Chinese dress history, qipao often represents an image of elegant and charming for Chinese women. It is a one-piece dress featured with a high neck collar and straight skirt which reflects the spirits and virtues of Chinese culture – harmony and unity. Qipao was traditionally made of silk and decorated with complex embroidery.

The History of Qipao
In Qing dynasty, Chi-pao is worn as robe in the palace.

The golden time of qipao is between 1911 and 1949. And in the 1930s, Shanghai had been advocating western lifestyle. So qipao was changed to shape the curve instead of covering the entire body, which made it popular among celebrities and the upper class at that time and gradually became Chinese fashion with the unique orient style. However, in 1949, the Communist Revolution banned qipao. Fortunately, Shanghai emigrants to Hong Kong was able to maintain the popularity of this fashion in the 1950s. In Hong Kong, Working women often wore Chi-Pao with jackets. At that time an off-the-rack qipao could cost about a hundred dollars while modified ones cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Qipao in Modern Times
In the movie “In the mood for love” (《花样年华》), Maggie Cheung changed 23 different qipao which fully interpreted the beauty of orient women and the conventional Chinese dress.

Nowadays, qinpao usually appears in public and international occasions as a formal costume which symbolizes Chinese culture. And you can also see attendants wearing qipao as a uniform at many restaurants, hotels, and on airplanes in Asia. For Chinese students who study abroad like us, we would prefer to wear qipao as traditional costumes when attending parties and formal events.