girl beach: Chinese Cheongsam, qípáo (旗袍)

Source Website: http://www.cits.net/content/2010/10-01/110942205.html

PHOTO: qípáo (旗袍) Customary Engagement Photos and Wedding Photos.
http://www.myshoedesignexpatlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/engagement-pics-in-Houston-3.jpg
http://www.myshoedesignexpatlife.com/?p=159

Qipao, Tailor-Made Elegance of Chinese Women

With roots in 17th century China, the Qipao or Cheongsam is an elegant and classic garment for Chinese women. Though straight tailoring from top to bottom, the Qipao can fully display all women's modesty, softness and beauty. A suitable Qipao is like an intimate friend of a woman, from which you can know her temperament, her graceful and refined manner.

PHOTO: qípáo (旗袍) Customary Engagement Photos and Wedding Photos.
http://www.myshoedesignexpatlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/engagement-pics-in-Houston-819x1024.jpg
http://www.myshoedesignexpatlife.com/?p=159

It has a high collar and a tightly fitting cut, with slits at either side of the skirt. It can be high-necked or collarless, long or short, some with full, medium, short or even no sleeves at all - to suit different occasions, weather and individual tastes. The traditional one-piece, form-fitting dress either in silk or velvet is the obsession of every Chinese woman.

PHOTO: 旗袍起源于满族服饰，兴盛于二十世纪，三十年代中国上海。
Cheongsam originated in the Manchu, flourished in the twentieth century, the thirties in Shanghai, China.
http://pic.wenwen.soso.com/p/20100106/20100106213742-1658534475.jpg
http://wenwen.soso.com/z/q173417525.htm

The Qipao is evolved from a kind of ancient clothing of Manchu ethnic minority. When the early Manchu rulers came to China proper, they moved their capital to Beijing and Qipao began to spread in the Central Plains. At that time, men wore a long gown and a mandarin jacket over the gown, while women wore Qipao.

PHOTO: 刘亦菲：穿上旗袍很《色，戒》- Liu Yifei: wear cheongsam is very "Lust, Caution"
http://www.luckup.net/upload/2008-09/08092409073629.jpg
http://www.luckup.net/show.aspx?id=73181&cid=61

Although the 1911 Revolution toppled the rule of the Qing Dynasty, the female dress survived the political change and, with succeeding improvements, has become the traditional dress for Chinese women.

PHOTO: qípáo (旗袍), from Korean website
http://pds15.egloos.com/pds/200909/10/41/a0101541_4aa7ea8baad1e.jpg
http://joyenjoygs.egloos.com/3209571

After the 1940s, influenced by new fashion home and abroad, women's Qipao became narrow-sleeved and fitted to the waist and had a relatively loose hip part, and its lower hem reached the ankles. Then there emerge various forms of Qipaos we see today that emphasize color decoration and set off the beauty of the female shape.

PHOTO: Red Wedding Dress ( QI Pao)
http://www.cheongsamwholesale.com/images/custom_made/CH1061.jpg
http://www.cheongsamwholesale.com/red-wedding-dress-qi-pao-pc-421.html

Why do Han people like to wear the Qipao? The main reason is that it fits well the female Chinese figure, has simple lines and looks elegant. What's more, it is suitable for wearing in all seasons by old and young.