hanfu

While the cheongsam is undeniably a quintessential piece of Chinese fashion, its origins trace back to the early 20th century, during the Republic of China period.  It was influenced by both traditional Chinese clothing and Western fashion trends. The Qing Dynasty, which ruled China from 1644 to 1912, had its own distinct fashion styles. While there are some similarities in terms of silhouette and fabric preferences, the cheongsam as we know it today is a product of a later era. Qing Dynasty Fashion: A Brief Overview To understand the context of the cheongsam's emergence, it's helpful to explore the fashion of the Qing Dynasty. The Manchu people, who established the Qing Dynasty, brought their own sartorial traditions to China. Manchu Influence: The Qing Dynasty introduced a new style of clothing, distinct from the Han Chinese fashion that had preceded it. This included garments like the qipao (different from the later cheongsam), which was a long robe with wide sleeves.