Vintage Feminism
January 20, 2012Tartan
January 25, 2012Happy 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
oh I used to have a lovely emerald green one *sigh*
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!
I always think they look so neat as well! Like a more glamorous evening version of a suit.
*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!
Such lovely dresses!! X
oh my…. if I had a big occasion I’d definitely splash out that last one! They’re so flattering on curvier figures x
These are so beautiful! I especially like the two dark blue ones on etsy. Too bad I have no where to wear one.
Oooh I love your pictures!! Would love to see you in one of these xxxx
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!
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
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The dark blue dress is lovely!!