Qipao derived from the robe of the Manchu banner people, and its initial form closely mirrored the robe of the Manchu women in the Qing Dynasty. 

However, when women began to wear Qipao, the garment transformed from an imitation into a sartorial response—a conscious reinterpretation of men’s Changshan (long gown).

 As it spread through Shanghai, Qipao swiftly shed its initial design, transformed by Western fashion into a sartorial symbol imbued with both Eastern charm and a modern spirit. Its form evolved with the zeitgeist of each era.

In the 1920s, anti-foot-binding movement ushered in a vogue for leather shoes paired with Qipao. This was followed in the 1930s by the Natural Breasts Movement, which championed bodily liberation and inspired a shift from loose cuts to slender, long Qipao that accentuated the female figure. The austerity of the 1940s gave way to simpler, more practical lines, with raised hemlines and lower collars. In the 1950s and 1960s, Qipao found a new home in Hong Kong, Taiwan and overseas Chinese communities, where the cut became more curve-hugging than ever.

To meet professional needs, matching sets with tailored outerwear emerged, forming a distinctive and cohesive style. In the 21st century, Qipao’s continuous reinterpretation honors its legacy while pioneering new forms, carving out an enduring voice for Eastern fashion.

Lilithdress