Interesting Green: Chinese Cheongsam, qípáo (旗袍)

Source Website: http://www.chinavista.com/experience/qipao/qipao.html
By Mr. Du Feibao, China Nationality Travel Service

PHOTO: The dress is buttoned on the right side, with a loose chest, a fitting waist, and slits up from the sides, all of which combine to set off the beauty of the female shape.
http://www.chinesegirls8.info/images/cheong-sam-2/qipao%20China%20amature%20womenAV.jpg
http://www.shop4it.biz/s~q-qipao.aspx

The cheongsam is a female dress with distinctive Chinese features and enjoys a growing popularity in the international world of high fashion.

The name "cheongsam," meaning simply "long dress," entered the English vocabulary from the dialect of China's Guangdong Province (Cantonese). In other parts of the country including Beijing, however, it is known as "qipao", which has a history behind it.

PHOTO: Korean Racing Girls - Hwang Mi Hee Wear Red Qipao (Mandarin gown or cheongsam)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkCllB_YJF1iVy7Uz54yc9-Y-gD944QFKlAOuIDEsh0m-Fty9WYw57_9QEwQw0oADdehrnovnGWCNduF8lok75E0NbvLLFkZfmeNurcQvN_PVMJ02OnQpM7mNGCaEyVPTvRBIar7zSysg/s800/Hwang+Mi+Hee+-+Red+Qipao+01.jpg
http://cute-korean-girls.blogspot.com/2009/07/korean-racing-girls-hwang-mi-hee-wear.html

When the early Manchu rulers came to China proper, they organized certain people, mainly Manchus, into "banners" (qi) and called them "banner people" (qiren), which then became loosely the name of all Manchus. The Manchu women wore normally a one-piece dress which, likewise, came to be called "qipao" or "banner dress." Although the 1911 Revolution toppled the rule of the Qing (Manchu) Dynasty, the female dress survived the political change and, with later improvements, has become the traditional dress for Chinese women.

Easy to slip on and comfortable to wear, the cheongsam fits well the female Chinese figure. Its neck is high, collar closed, and its sleeves may be either short, medium or full length, depending on season and taste. The dress is buttoned on the right side, with a loose chest, a fitting waist, and slits up from the sides, all of which combine to set off the beauty of the female shape.

PHOTO: Samantha’s Wedding gown, designed by Jeannie Truong at Parvani Vida.
http://christinetremoulet.com/blog/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/img_2647.jpg
http://christinetremoulet.com/blog/wedding-photography/samantha-benjamin-mr-mrs-session-at-hotel-icon-houston-texas

The cheongsam is not too complicated to make. Nor does it call for too much material, for there are no accessories like belts, scarves, sashes or frills to go with it.

Another beauty of the cheongsam is that, made of different materials and to varying lengths, they can be worn either on casual or formal occasions. In either case, it creates an impression of simple and quiet charm, elegance and neatness. No wonder it is so much liked by women not only of China but of foreign countries as well.

PHOTO: Korean Racing Girls - Hwang Mi Hee Wear Red Qipao (Mandarin gown or cheongsam)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sGfWBbekRHPU9B9ySPcHXcNOeoMBNChUIFgxyrCxNpIRxmgG1as-mjNCb_hEc4AIYEnllckmUaIhEIvGa6TtaA4XUlV2uiNHSQoJjshvvuOVNXo2A2IBh7iI2mF6icsdgR3QU5kDjNw0/s1600-h/Hwang+Mi+Hee+-+Red+Qipao+03.jpg
http://cute-korean-girls.blogspot.com/2009/07/korean-racing-girls-hwang-mi-hee-wear.html

PHOTO: Qipao...Beautiful Face
http://nicefun.net/userpix/10_Qipao_NiceFun_6_1.jpg
http://nicefun.net/previous-vt4402.html?postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

PHOTO: Shiratori Yuriko looks pretty in Chinese Qipao
http://www.jay-han.com/images/idols/shiratori-yuriko/shiratori-yuriko-2.jpg
http://www.jay-han.com/2008/02/09/shiratori-yuriko-looks-pretty-in-chinese-qipao/

PHOTO: Shiratori Yuriko's pictures was taken in China too. Special photos for Chinese New Year celebration
http://www.jay-han.com/images/idols/shiratori-yuriko/shiratori-yuriko-3.jpg
http://www.jay-han.com/2008/02/09/shiratori-yuriko-looks-pretty-in-chinese-qipao/

PHOTO: Cheongsum/qipao and Japanese kimono
http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab337/jemlee76/MISC/b8cb913e.jpg
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=1701022&pp=30&page=643

PHOTO: Sexy Traditional Chinese Dress (qipao)
http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/310040168/sexy_Traditional_Chinese_Dress_qipao_.jpg
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/310040168/sexy_Traditional_Chinese_Dress_qipao_.html

PHOTO: Sexy Traditional Chinese Dress (qipao)
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/310040168/sexy_Traditional_Chinese_Dress_qipao_/showimage.html?newId=310039625&pn=2&pt=10&t=12&cids=

PHOTO: Sexy Traditional Chinese Dress (qipao)
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/310040168/sexy_Traditional_Chinese_Dress_qipao_/showimage.html?newId=310040411&pn=11&pt=10&t=22&cids=

PHOTO: YouCool! Forum » Pictures » JayJay's pics
http://duminu.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/qipao-cheongsam-china-dress-girls-18.jpg
http://youcool.org/viewthread.php?tid=418&page=2

PHOTO: Red Qipao dress @ Imperial Queen ‘s park hotel , Bangkok ,Thailand.
http://adiabraun.com/photo/x/albums/userpics/10001/normal_qipao3.jpg
http://blog.adiabraun.com/2010/09/27/red-qipao-dress-and-shoes/

PHOTO: Park Hyun Sun in Shanghai (Chinese) Dress. Park Hyun Sun looks hot in this Shanghai Chinese dress: qípáo (旗袍) or cheongsam. Nice pictures where she is showing her beautiful legs. Park Hyun Sun in Shanghai Chinese Dress.
http://asian-girl-photos.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Park-Hyun-Sun-52.jpg
http://wocview.wordpress.com/2011/01/10/

PHOTO: Park Hyun Sun in Shanghai (Chinese) Dress
http://asian-girl-photos.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Park-Hyun-Sun-42-400x849.jpg
http://wocview.wordpress.com/2011/01/10/

PHOTO: 最有女人味的裙装--旗袍 - Qipao is the most feminine dress for woman 服装不能脱离人体而孤立存在，旗袍也一样。女性的头、颈、肩、臂、胸、腰、臀、腿以及手足，构成众多曲线巧妙结合的完美整体。 Clothing cannot exist in isolation from the human body. Qipao is the same. Women's head, neck, shoulder, arm, chest, waist, hip, leg, hand and foot. Overall, forms a perfect combination with the many subtle curves.
http://b8.ac-images.cdnmyspace.cn/cnimages01/2/l_83608b5d56026c3135998414d490253a.jpg
http://blog.myspace.cn/e/402386269.htm

PHOTO: 浅浅笑最有女人味的裙装--旗袍 - Qipao is the most feminine dress for woman
http://b1.ac-images.cdnmyspace.cn/cnimages01/1/l_f07172004a9241ad612bd6222f0a7801.jpg
http://photo.myspace.cn/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewOrgImage&friendId=1308821530&imageId=2133344

PHOTO: 旗袍裙 - Cheongsam, Mandarin gown
http://images.nciku.cn/sourcing_images/10/10332_getty_20080128162458.jpg
http://www.nciku.cn/search/all/%E6%97%97%E8%A2%8D

PHOTO: 旗袍美女 - Cheongsam Beauty
http://img1.bbs.163.com/new/20100823/localsh/cy/cy3425616/ab8e8aa668f584077edf090879f6a6c8.jpg
http://bbs.local.163.com/bbs/localsh/185258890.html

PHOTO: 旗袍美女 - Cheongsam Beauty
http://img1.bbs.163.com/new/20100823/localfj/cy/cy3425616/97adecbdda1ab7b0bcaefcc89fd12838.jpg
http://bbs.local.163.com/bbs/localsh/185258890.html

PHOTO: 旗袍美女 - Cheongsam Beauty
http://img1.bbs.163.com/new/20100823/localfj/cy/cy3425616/972717c135956d045147b7db0628b60a.jpg
http://bbs.local.163.com/bbs/localsh/185258890.html

PHOTO: 旗袍美女 - Cheongsam Beauty
http://img1.bbs.163.com/new/20100823/localfj/cy/cy3425616/c1e51c9cacfc17aa9cd24f8bcc79e54d.jpg
http://bbs.local.163.com/bbs/localsh/185258890.html

PHOTO: 旗袍美女 - Cheongsam Beauty
http://img1.bbs.163.com/new/20100823/localfj/cy/cy3425616/5b81e71c6f8ed48cc32a226566cbd1ff.jpg
http://bbs.local.163.com/bbs/localsh/185258890.html

PHOTO: Sexy Pink Chinese Qi Pao Costume Dress Lingerie
http://i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/106974221/Sexy_Pink_Chinese_Qi_Pao_Costume_Dress.jpg
http://www.alibaba.com/product-free/106974221/Sexy_Pink_Chinese_Qi_Pao_Costume.html

PHOTO: 旗袍美女 - Cheongsam Beauty
http://img1.bbs.163.com/new/20100823/localsh/cy/cy3425616/4e3f55d53010160b7d48ef99e73fc86b.jpg
http://bbs.local.163.com/bbs/localsh/185258890.html

PHOTO: 旗袍美女 - Cheongsam Beauty
http://img1.bbs.163.com/new/20100823/localsh/cy/cy3425616/d7331a7ff474d37671668012348ad715.jpg
http://bbs.local.163.com/bbs/localsh/185258890.html

PHOTO: 旗袍美女 - Cheongsam Beauty
http://img1.bbs.163.com/new/20100823/localfj/cy/cy3425616/bae92fb464109d588f938f55725e90e4.jpg
http://bbs.local.163.com/bbs/localsh/185258890.html

PHOTO: 旗袍美女 - Cheongsam Beauty
http://img1.bbs.163.com/new/20100823/localsh/cy/cy3425616/bc67fddeb7af7c8b102260b80eb34a4d.jpg
http://bbs.local.163.com/bbs/localsh/185258890.html

PHOTO: 旗袍美女 - Cheongsam Beauty
http://img1.bbs.163.com/new/20100823/localfj/cy/cy3425616/a3c46c7c80de783af7d40ae70050fa43.jpg
http://bbs.local.163.com/bbs/localsh/185258890.html

PHOTO: 旗袍美女 - Cheongsam Beauty
http://img1.bbs.163.com/new/20100823/localfj/cy/cy3425616/9b3d0a346c34c38d01eccea3f8de8847.jpg
http://bbs.local.163.com/bbs/localsh/185258890.html

PHOTO: Anna Williams, in Death or Alive (DOA)
http://i56.tinypic.com/291nd02.jpg
http://ventodoriente.forumfree.it/?t=51718583

Translated by:
Using nciku (www.nciku.com), an online dictionary with English and Chinese language (with Pinyin), and google translate.

Reference