The Cheongsam

by Retro Chick
January 23, 2012
12 Comments
1 minute read
3119 Views
13 years ago

Happy Chinese New Year!

Today is Chinese New Years Day, and apparently it is the year of the Dragon which is regarded as an auspicious symbol which stands for power, good luck, success, and happiness. So fingers crossed for that then!

The Chinese Cheongsam dress is a classic, so today I’ve found some beautiful vintage photographs of women in cheongsam, and some places you can buy one for yourself if you fancy a bit of oriental vintage style. Some of these photographs have been in my inspiration folder for a while, but a lot of them are from the wonderful website about Chinese entertainment history called Soft Film

If you want your own Cheongsam here are a few suggestions:

1950s Shaheen Chongsam – Currently £19.95 on eBay

1940s/50s Cheongsam – £31.74 on Etsy

1960s Midnight Blue Cheongsam – £37.02 on Etsy

Emerald Green Cheongsam with matching Coat – £92.56 on Etsy

Or course, many of these are tiny sizes, so here’s a couple of modern reproduction suggestions if you need a bit more flexibility with sizing!

ChineseDresses.co.uk has a selection of dresses, and says they can be made to measure. I’ve not ordered from them, so can’t vouch for them, but this dress does look beautiful.

Short Chinese Dress – Starts at £65

Alternatively the dragon print halter neck sarong dress from Vivien of Holloway has the right look, especially when worn with the matching bolero.

Dragon Print Sarong Dress with matching bolero – £140

12 Comments

Straight Talking Mama January 23, 2012

oh I used to have a lovely emerald green one *sigh*
Perdita January 23, 2012

I love this look, it always looks so ‘neat’ and timeless, whilst being far more original than – say – a LBD. Perfect go-to smart outfit!
- Gemma January 23, 2012
  
  I always think they look so neat as well! Like a more glamorous evening version of a suit.
Kitty Lovett January 23, 2012

*le spends way too much time discussing Chinese culture with boyfriend.

There is a beautiful cheongsam in the Jackie Chan movie, “Drunken Master”. The main character’s aunt is wearing an amazing traditional one, I would probably kill for it! The one in the first picture is beautiful too, paired with the glasses!
Paperdoll January 23, 2012

Such lovely dresses!! X
Clare January 23, 2012

oh my…. if I had a big occasion I’d definitely splash out that last one! They’re so flattering on curvier figures x
Jenna January 23, 2012

These are so beautiful! I especially like the two dark blue ones on etsy. Too bad I have no where to wear one.
missmatilda January 23, 2012

Oooh I love your pictures!! Would love to see you in one of these xxxx
Roxie Roulette January 23, 2012

I love cheongsams! Such a great vintage feel about them! My mum grew up in Singapore so Chinese New Year was always fun when I was younger – I need to start doing those things again!

Kung Hei Fat Choi!
May January 25, 2012

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! Thanks for this lovely post on the Dragon year and the lovely Cheongsam….love it!
I absolutely love the Cheongsam….also known as the Qi Pao…..and make an occasion to wear them during the Chinese New Year period! I usually match one of my Qi Pao with a vintage 1930s hair do and some faux fur to bring out the Shanghai 1930s glamour! Absolutely beautiful pieces….its so much more than a dress!
May xx
walkinginmay.blogpost.com
http://walkinginmay.blogspot.com/2011/02/why-do-i-love-qi-pao.html
@MissMayLoh
- Edwardson February 8, 2012
  
  Hello Friend ,I am here to know about the web dinegnisg, such as how to add two different images but make sure partition should invisible.
Alan March 7, 2012

The dark blue dress is lovely!!