Qipao(旗袍Qípáo), beautiful and elegant, is a kind of Chinese dress traditionally worn by upper class and wealthy Chinese women.

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 inpidual 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 sexy.

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).