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Mandarin Go | Cheongsam(Qipao)
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Cheongsam is a classic dress for Chinese women with the elaborate elegance of traditional Chinese style. It enjoys a growing popularity in the world of fashion.
The word “cheongsam ” simply means “long dress”. It entered the English vocabulary from the dialect of China’s Guangdong province (Cantonese). In other parts of the country including Beijing, however, it is known as “ qipao”. When the early Qing rulers came to power, they organised certain people, mainly the Manchus, under different banners (qi) and called them banner people (qiren), which then became loosely the name of all Manchus. The Manchu women’s normal long gown likewise came to be called qipao or banner costume. Although the 1911 Revolution toppled the rule of the Qing Dynasty, the female costume survived the political change and, with later improvements, has become the traditional costume for Chinese women.
Cheongsam is easy and comfortable to wear, snugly fitting the figure of Chinese females. Its neckline is high, collar closed, and its sleeves may be of short, medium or full length, depending on the season or the wearer’s taste. The costume is buttoned on the right side, with a loose bodice, a fitted waist, and side-slits to the hem, all of which combine to set off the beauty of the female’s figure.
Cheongsam is simple to make, and needs minimal fabric, for there are no accessories like belts, scarves, sashes or frills. It can be made with different fabrics and worn in varying lengths on either casual or formal occasions. It creates an impression of simplicity and elegance. For this reason, women not only from China but also from foreign countries are attracted by cheongsam. Movie stars have been keen on wearing cheongsam, which, in turn, has increased the popularity of the costume.
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