The Cheongsam is an elegant type of Chinese dress. This close-fitting dress with a high neck and the slits on the sides, comes from China’s Manchu Nationality. There is a beautiful legend from the Manchus about the cheogsams.
A young fisherwoman lived by the Jingbo Lake. She was not only beautiful but also clever and skillful. But when fishing, she often felt hindered by her long and loose fitting dress. Then an idea struck her: why not make a more practical dress for work? She then produced a long multi-looped-button gown with slits, which enabled her to tuck in the front piece of her dress, tus making her job much easier. As a fisherwoman, she never dreamed that fortune would befall on her. 

             The young emperor who ruled China at that time had a dream that his dead father told him a lovely fisherwoman in cheongsam by the Jingbo Lake would become his queen. After awakening from his deep sleep, the emperor sent his men to look for her. So she became the queen, bringing her cheongsam with her. Manchu women all followed suit and soon the cheongsam became popular. 

             The Manchu grew out of ancient Nuzhen tribes. In the early 17th century, Nurhachi, agreat political and military strategist, unified the various Nuzhen tribes and set up the Eight Banner System. Over the years, a collarless, tube-shaped gown was developed, which was worn by both men and women. That is the embryo of the cheongsam which is called Qipao in Chinese or translated as “banner gown”, for it came from the people who lived under the Banner System.
It became popular among ladies of the royal family in the Qing Dynasty and was fitted loosely and so long that htye would reach the insteps. Usually they were made of silk and the whole dress was embroidered, with broad lace trimmed at the collar, sleeves and edges. 

             In 1920s, they became popular throughout China. With the influence of Western dress style, the cheongsam underwent a change. The cuffs grew more narrow and were usually trimmed with thin lace. The length of the dress was shorted as well. This new adaptation allowed the beauty of female body to be fully displayed. 

             In 1930s, wearing a cheongsam became a fashion among women in he whole of China. Various styles existed during this period. Some were short and some were long, with low, high or even no collars at all. 

             In 1940s, cheongsam became closer-fitting and more practical. In summer, women wore sleeveless cheongsams. When spring or autumn came, they wore narrow sleeve dresses. Cheongsams of this period were seldom adorned with patterns. 

             Today, more and more women in China appreciate its beauty. The wives of China’s diplomats attend important social gatherings, the cheongsam is their first choice among dresses. Many influential people suggest that cheongsams should be the national dress for women in China. This shows that the cheongsam remains a vibrant part of Chinese culture.