Turn to a Chinese clothing store for the best Chinese clothing. If you are looking for a piece of clothing that highlights traditional Chinese style, the Cheongsam dress or the modernized Mao suit is the perfect option. The Cheongsam dress originated in China during the 17th century under the Manchu rule. Under the Manchu rule, a Banner System was developed that placed different family members into different groups. These people were referred to as the Banner people and in 1636, both Hans’ men and women of China were required to wear these traditional dresses on a day-to-day basis. Due to this historic tradition, these dresses are often referred to as “banner gowns.” These dresses were straight and baggy, and included a high neck. They were specifically designed to reveal very little and only exposed the head, toes and hands of the body. They were made from fine silk and included very intricate embroidery designs throughout the dress.
A modernized version of the Cheongsam dress was released in Shanghai during the 1920s and became quite popular among the wealthy and celebrities. In 1949, these dresses lost much of their appeal under the communist rule in China, but remained popular in Hong Kong well into the 1950s. In fact, many working women in Hong Kong would were these dresses with jacket over top of it for work. Today, the style of the Cheongsam dress has changed quite dramatically. Instead of long, baggy dresses, they are now narrow and designed to fit the shape of the woman wearing it. They are also typically sleeveless, or have a sleeve in the shape of a bell. The dresses are not only made from silk, but they do still include the intricate embroidery designs that make them stunning. Today, they are typically only worn for special occasions, such as a party, wedding or special event. Some industries like the airlines, restaurants and hotels also have their workers wear theses tradition Chinese dresses.
These dresses can be purchased at various stores for about $100, but it could be more expensive for custom-made dresses. There are also many inexpensive versions sold through various online stores. These less expensive dresses still include the same intricate embroidery and vibrant colors of the traditional dresses, but are typically not made from silk. Another popular option available for men today is the Mao suit. Today, these are trendy business suits that are heavily influenced by the style of the Cheongsam dress, and include the same intricate designs that the dresses do.
Author Bio
Wang Weo is the regular contributor of Chinese Moods Blogs and Articles on web. He has published lots of blogs related to Chinese dresses, Chinese clothing and modern chinese clothing. He loves to write on different Chinese clothing stores in China.