Shanghai-style and Beijing-style qipao differ primarily in their cut, and level of embellishment. The image above shows three sisters clad in typical Shanghai-style (or Haipai in mandarin) qipaos, which tend to be unadorned but very fitted. Their outfits and mannerisms also show that they are highly ... Read More about The difference between Shanghai-style and Beijing-style qipao (海派和京派旗袍)
History of the qipao (part IV): from Shanghai to Hong Kong, 1940s and beyond
Simplification during the Sino-Japanese war With the start of the Sino-Japanese war in 1937, the mood of China and Shanghai became considerably dampened. China had by some accounts escaped the Great Depression of the 1930s, but it suffered immensely from WWII. By the early 1940s, the flamboyant ... Read More about History of the qipao (part IV): from Shanghai to Hong Kong, 1940s and beyond
History of the qipao (part III): qipao’s golden era, 1930s
I have to admit, I was pretty impatient to get to this third post on the history of qipao (or Cheongsam in Cantonese). The Qing dynasty and 1920s were interesting periods for qipaos in their own right (see the previous two posts here and here), but the 1930s is what I am really excited ... Read More about History of the qipao (part III): qipao’s golden era, 1930s
History of the qipao (part II): from recluse to National Dress, 1910s and 1920s
This is part II of a mini series that I'm writing on the history of the qipao. If you missed part I (about the origins of the qipao from the Manchu-controlled Qing dynasty), be sure to catch up here. The Republic of China and the May-Fourth movement (五四运动／五四運動) The history of the qipao (or ... Read More about History of the qipao (part II): from recluse to National Dress, 1910s and 1920s
History of the qipao (part I): Nurhaci and the hoof cuffed pao, Qing dynasty
I first wrote about the history of the qipao (or Cheongsam in Cantonese) over two years ago in 2014. When I was researching back then I remember very few online resources being available, even the Wikipedia entry back then was pretty short and patchy (let’s face it, if Wikipedia isn’t the golden ... Read More about History of the qipao (part I): Nurhaci and the hoof cuffed pao, Qing dynasty