Hanfu is the traditional clothing of the Han people, with over 4,000 years of history: wide sleeves, cross collars and sash ties, elegant and flowing. Many young people now enjoy "hanfu outings" — you can see hanfu in parks and on the metro.
The qipao comes from Manchu banner dress, modernized in the 20th century into a fitted long gown with a high collar, frog buttons and a side slit — graceful and refined. Many foreign visitors take qipao photos in China; they look wonderful.
Today wearing hanfu or qipao is a fashion statement and cultural confidence. People wear traditional clothing for festivals, weddings and graduation photos. At scenic spots you can even rent hanfu for a day of experience.
The qipao is a traditional Chinese dress for women. Its history is actually short - about a century - yet it became the symbol of "Chinese beauty" abroad. Its design is refined: stand collar, knot buttons, side slit, tailored fit showing graceful lines.
The qipao came from Manchu dress. In the Qing dynasty Manchu people wore loose long robes called "qizhuang"; wearers were "qiren" (bannermen). Later the style spread to Han people and slowly became today qipao.
In 1920s-30s Shanghai the qipao reached its golden age, absorbing Western tailoring to become fitted and fashionable. Movie stars and ladies loved it; the qipao became the symbol of "Eastern fashion".
Its beauty lies in details: the "pankou" knot buttons hand-woven from cloth strips, some like butterflies, some like plum blossoms; the slit lets the hem sway gently when walking - elegant and lively.
Often mentioned together is "hanfu", the general term for ancient Han clothing: wide sleeves, overlapping right collar, flowing and solemn. If the qipao is "modern China", hanfu is "classical China".
Today more and more people wear qipao and hanfu. Young people wear them on festivals, graduations and weddings for photos. Many foreign tourists rent a qipao or hanfu to take photos in ancient towns.
If you like Chinese dress, remember a few words: "qípáo" qipao, "hànfú" hanfu, "pánkòu" knot button, "kāichà" slit. The moment you wear a qipao, you feel the refinement and confidence of Chinese dress.
Chinese dress is not just beauty but a cultural language - it tells the world: Chinese people respect tradition and embrace change.
The qipao has new looks today: designers combine it with modern fashion into younger, more wearable styles. However it changes, that "Eastern charm" remains. When in China, try one in a qipao shop - many foreign friends say the moment they wore one, they truly understood "Chinese beauty".
The story of Chinese dress is also the story of Chinese history: from loose hanfu to fitted qipao, from ancient silk to modern design, dress changes but the Chinese pursuit of beauty never does. If interested, watch the classic film In the Mood for Love - Maggie Cheung changes dozens of qipaos, each breathtaking. Visit the silk museum in Hangzhou or the National Museum in Beijing to see how ancient Chinese turned a silk thread into art.
