The History of Cheongsam

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Beginnings

By 1911, with the fall of the Qing dynasty, the Chinese society had become increasingly exposed to foreign ideas and ways of life.

Young Chinese women were beginning to take on greater roles in public life and advocating for gender equality, a stark contrast to earlier generations, where womanhood was largely defined by marriage and domestic confinement. Traditional practices like foot binding and restrictions on female education were being abandoned and viewed as old fashioned practices.

These societal changes were also reflected in women’s clothing preferences, which shifted toward more practical and comfortable styles, such as shorter skirts and simply cut blouses with narrower sleeves.

On May 4th, 1919, female students from Peking University joined their male peers in street protests, boldly wearing the male version of the traditional long robe — a powerful symbol of solidarity and change.

It was in this cultural context that the Cheongsam was born: the female interpretation of the…