How to Select Elegant Cheongsams

The cheongsam, or Qipao in Chinese, is evolved from a kind of ancient clothing of Manchu ethnic minority. In ancient times, it generally referred to long gowns worn by the people of Manchuria, Mongolia and the Eight-Banner. The current incarnation of the Chinese Cheongsam adorns lovely women the world over. The name evokes a vision of willowy, model-like beauties clad in figure-hugging, shiny fabric, buttoned up on the right, with high mandarin collars and sexy slitted skirts.

Interestingly, Cheongsam regained its reputation starting from 90s, and was commonly seen in high-class social parties and weddings. Nearly every Chinese lady desires for a dress that could bring out her slim shape and elegant temperament. Nothing could work better than Cheongsam. It also attracted the attention of international designers, who were largely inspired by Cheongsam and started to combine it with European evening dresses.

Cheongsam, the most well-known Chinese dress for women, originates from Qing Dynasty and has been afterwards modified by Han Chinese in early 20th century. While many people hold that Cheongsam is traditional dress for women in China, such statement proves inaccurate. As a nation going through around 80 dynasties in the past five thousand years, China can hardly claim any dress as 'traditional'. Often, each dynasty has its own style of clothing. For instance, though Cheongsam has been passed on from Qing Dynasty, Han clothing was invented by Han Chinese. Since the Chinese society in modern age has been largely shaped by Qing Dynasty, Cheongsam inevitably became the most influential clothing.

When Chinese cheongsams were exhibited for sales in countries like Japan and France, they received warm welcome from local women, who did not hesitate to buy Chinese cheongsams especially those top-notch ones made of black velour interlined with or carved with golden flowers. Cheongsam features strong national flavor and embodies beauty of Chinese traditional costume. It not only represents Chinese female costume but also becomes a symbol of the oriental traditional costume.

The cheongsam can either be long or short, unlined or interlined, woolen or made of silk floss. Besides, with different materials, the cheongsam presents different styles. Cheongsams made of silk with patterns of flowerlet, plain lattices or thin lines demonstrate charm of femininity and staidness; those made of brocade are eye-catching and magnificent and suitable for occasions of greeting guests and attending banquets.

Cheongsam are frequently created of brightly-colored silk or satin with rich Chinese embroidery. Some nightclub waitresses, ritual girls in ceremonies, and competitors in Chinese beauty competitions wear comparable cheongsam uniforms. They might wear pantyhose but not an underskirt so walking shows their legs. These uniforms are considered too sexy for ordinary wear so they're worn and kept at function.