Cheongsam

A modern Qipao

Cheongsam (长衫) is typical, traditional clothing for Chinese women. Also known as Qipao (Ch'ipau).

A cheongsam usually has two long slits at either side of the hem for convenient movement and display of the legs. Unlike a short skirt, the slits of cheongsam show a woman's legs when she walks.

A more formal description is: a longer, figure-fitting, one piece garment with a standing collar, an asymmetric left-over-right opening (youren) and two side slits.

The modern Cheongsam was developed in Shanghai in the 1920s. Several alterations have been made to the design. It was popular in China from the 1920s to 1940s, as many noble and high-class women wore it. Although the cheongsam is thought to be traditional Chinese clothing, it is modern.

The traditional Qipao evolved from Manchu women's Changpao during the Qing Dynasty.

A woman in a traditional Qipao

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Cheongsam Media

Two women wearing cheongsam and high-heel shoes in a 1930s Shanghai advertisement
The uniform of Hainan Airlines cabin attendants based on cheongsam debuted in 2017, with a coat worn outside.
Women in Dublin Chinese community celebrating Chinese New Year in various styles of Qipao, 2016
A bride wearing a red wedding cheongsam covering her face with a honggaitou (a red veil).
The Swedish team wearing cheongsam at the 2008 Olympics.
Cheongsam belonging to the wives of past Singaporean political leaders on display in an exhibition entitled In the Mood for Cheongsam: Modernity and Singapore Women at the National Museum of Singapore in 2012
Girl with white ao dai
Daoguang Period(1821–1850)Empress Xiaoshen
Daoguang Period(1821–1850)Empress Xiaojingcheng
Guangxu Period(1875–1908)Lady Heseri