The form-fitting “cheongsam,” also called the qipao, is a traditional dress from China.
The modern qipao is typically a one-piece dress with a standing collar, an asymmetric closure, and side slits. It is closely associated with Chinese fashion, although its history reflects the interaction of Manchu, Han Chinese, and Western clothing traditions. The name qipao literally relates to the “banner gown” clothing of the Manchu banner people during the Qing dynasty.
The garment evolved significantly during the 1910s and 1920s, especially in Beijing and Shanghai. Shanghai tailors introduced more body-conscious cuts and incorporated Western techniques such as waist darts and curved shaping. By the 1930s and 1940s, the qipao had become a prominent symbol of urban Chinese women’s fashion and modernity.
“Cheongsam” is the Cantonese name commonly used in English, while “qipao” is the Mandarin term. The dress is not identical to every traditional Chinese garment, nor is it exclusively tied to one historical ethnic group. Today it is worn for formal occasions, weddings, performances, cultural celebrations, and by some airline and hospitality staff.