The Origin of Qipao

Qipao, also known as cheongsam, is a close-fitting woman’s dress with a high neck and slit skirt. With distinctive Chinese features, it has experienced numerous changes and enjoys a growing popularity in the international world of high fashion.

When the early Manchu rulers increased their powers southward, they organized people based a system called qi (banners). Hence the noble youngsters were called those born from eight banners with different colors. The Manchu women wore a one-piece dress, which came to be called qipao or banner dress.