Describe a Chinese dress:
Qipao (Ch'ipau) is
one of the most typical, traditional costumes for Chinese women. Also
known as cheongsam, it is like a wonderful flower in the Chinese
colorful fashion scene because of its particular charm.
In the past,
the collar of the costume was made high and tight fitting to keep warm.
Qipao has incorporated this feature, not just for preventing coldness
but also for beauty. The collar of Qipao generally takes the shape of a
semicircle, its right and left sides being symmetrical, flattering the
soft and slender neck of a woman. The collar of Qipao is meticulously
made, especially the buttonhole loop on the collar, which serves as the
finishing touch. We can't help but admire the designers' artistic
originality. The design of the front of Qipao depicts the maturity of
women properly; reminding people of the line of a Chinese poem 'A garden
full of the beauty of spring can not be prevented from being enjoyed.'
Qipao
generally has two big slits at either side of the hem for convenient
movement and display of the slender legs of women. Unlike a short-length
skirt,
Qipaos can display Chinese women's modesty, softness
and beauty. Like Chinese women's temperament, Qipaos are elegant and
gentle.
Like other costumes, the beauty of Qipao comes first.
Simplicity is one of its features from the collar, loop, chest, waist
and hips to the lower hem, and a Qipao almost varies with a woman's
figure. It not only lays stress on the natural beauty of a female
figure, but also makes women's legs appear more slender. Mature women in
Qipaos can display their graceful refined manner.
Besides its
simplicity, Qipao provides designers with vast, creative space: some
short, some long, with low, high, or even no collars at all.
Practicality
always goes with beauty. Qipaos are worn in both urban and rural areas,
its long-standing elegance and serenity making wearers fascinating.
When
wearing Qipao, women should pay attention to the match as a whole;
particularly middle-aged or elderly women should do so. Hairstyles,
jewelry, socks and shoes should match Qipaos properly in color and
design.
Today, with the development of the market economy in
China, designs or styles of fashions are so dazzling as the stars that
the eye cannot take them all in. As a result, people are often at a loss
what to choose when facing the vast sea of fashions. On the other hand,
it is just a golden opportunity for Chinese national costumes to regain
their popularity. Fashion culture has become a point of intersection of
social culture, reflecting economic developments, social progress and
educational level.
Qipao, the classic dress for Chinese women,
combines the elaborate elegance of Chinese tradition with unique
elements of style. The high-necked, closed-collar Qipao / Cheongsam,
with a loose chest, fitting waist, and the attractive slits, is one of
the most versatile costumes in the world. It can be long or short, some
with full, medium, short or even no sleeves at all - to suit different
occasions, weather and individual tastes.
The Qipao / Cheongsam can display all women's modesty, softness and
beauty. Like Chinese women's temperament, the Qipao / Cheongsam is
elegant and gentle, its long-standing elegance and serenity makes
wearers fascinating. Mature women in Qipao / Cheongsam can display their
graceful refined manner. A Qipao / Cheongsam almost varies with a
woman's figure.
What serves as a worthy testament to the beauty
of the Qipao / Cheongsam is, however, it does not require the wearer to
pep up the look with accessories like scarves and belts. Designed to
show off the natural softness of the female form, it also creates the
illusion of slender legs. The overall picture: practical, yet ***y.
Because
of its particular charm Qipao / Cheongsam is like a wonderful flower in
the Chinese colorful fashion scene. Another beauty of the Qipao /
Cheongsam is that it is made of different materials and can be worn
either on casual or formal occasions.
In either case, Qipao /
Cheongsam creates an impression of simple and quiet charm, elegance and
attraction. With distinctive Chinese features Qipao / Cheongsam enjoys a
growing popularity in the international world of high fashion.
The name
In Northern China, e.g. Beijing,
the term "Qipao" is popular - for the term's origin please have a look
at the history of Qipao. In Southern China the Qipao is also known as
"Cheongsam". Cheongsam means "long dress", entered the English
vocabulary from the dialect of China's Guangdong Province (Cantonese).
There
is a legend that a young fisherwoman lived by the Jingbo Lake. She was
not only beautiful, but also clever and skillful. But when fishing, she
often felt hindered by her long and loose fitting dress. Then an idea
struck her: why not make a more practical dress for work？ She got down
to sewing and produced a long multi－looped－button gown with slits, which
enabled her to tuck in the front piece of her dress, thus making her
job much easier. As a fisherwoman, she never dreamed that a fortune
would befall on her.
The young emperor who ruled China at that
time had a dream one night. In the dream, his dead father told him that a
lovely fisherwoman in Qipao by the Jingbo Lake would become his queen.
After awakening from his deep sleep, the emperor sent his men to look
for her. Sure enough, there she was！ So she became the queen, bringing
her Cheongsam with her. Manchu women all followed suit and soon the
Qipao became popular.
We do not know whether the story is true
or not. But one thing is certain. The Cheongsam came from the Manchus
who grew out of ancient Nuzhen tribes. In the early 17th century,
Nurhachi, a great political and military strategist, unified the various
Nuzhen tribes and set up the Eight Banners System. Over the years, a
collarless, tube－shaped gown was developed, which was worn by both men
and women. That is the embryo of the Qipao. The dress is called Qipao in
Chinese or translated as "banner gown", for it came from the people who
lived under the Banner System.
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