Shanghai ladies champion arch-feminine cheongsam

Shanghai (CNS) -- Over 2,000 Shanghai ladies in every age bracket wore the city's signature cheongsam dress to a gathering at the Sundial sculpture on Shanghai's Century Avenue on Sunday.

Despite cool temperatures, the ladies were attending the fifth Anniversary of the Cheongsam Salon gamely modeling different styles of the garment in every color of the rainbow.

Wang Weiyu, 65, was admired for her bold red cheongsam delicately ornamented with pearls that set off her sandy red curls. "Thanks to the dress, our salon members carry themselves in a confident and elegant manner," said she.

The salon members have visited Japan, South Korea and countries in the Mediterranean during the past five years, where their instantly recognizable Chinese style has earned the praise of locals.

The members, at an average age of 55 years, took the initiative to designate May 20 as Chinese Cheongsam Day, calling on all Chinese women to dress up in the cheongsam and embody the feminine characteristics of a gentle demeanor, dignity and elegance.