Cheongsam, eternal Chinese flavor

旗袍——永远的中国风情

Cheongsam — the Eternal Chinese Flavor

在中国,很多女性都喜欢穿旗袍.结婚的时候,新娘不仅要订做一件中式旗袍作为结婚礼服,还要穿着漂亮的旗袍照一套婚纱照,作为永久的纪念.对于中国的女明星们而言,旗袍也成为她们参加各种重要活动的首选礼服.

In China, many females are fond of wearing a cheongsam. When getting married, a bride not only places an order for a Chinese style cheongsam as her wedding gown, but also takes wedding photos in her beautiful cheongsam, providing long lasting memories. The cheongsam has become the top choice for Chinese actresses when attending various important ceremonies.

如今,人们经常在演绎旧上海故事的电影中,见到各式旗袍.影片中的女主角穿着美丽的旗袍,穿梭于十里洋场中,例如王家卫导演的《花样年华》和《2046》,就唤醒了当代的中国女性对旗袍的回忆和迷恋.

Today, different kinds of cheongsam are seen in films about old Shanghai. The actresses are always dressed in charming cheongsam, coming and going in a metropolis greatly influenced by western culture. For example, the films In the Mood for Love and 2046 directed by Kar Wai Wong, have reawakened modern Chinese women's memory and fascination with the cheongsam.

旗袍源于中国满族女性的传统服装.因为满族称为"旗人",所以将这种服装称为"旗袍".现代旗袍则发源于上海.当时,人们开始注重体现女性的自然之美,并吸收了西方服装的式样,不断改进,于是旗袍就演变为"中西合璧"的新服饰.自20世纪30年代起,旗袍几乎成了中国女性的标准服装.从民间妇女、学生、工人到上流社会的贵妇人,所有女性都穿旗袍.旗袍流行了20多年,样式也不断改进.

The cheongsam originates from the traditional costume of Chinese Manchu women. They were called the "Banner People (qi ren)", which explains why the dresses they wore were called "Cheongsam (qi pao)". However, the modern cheongsam has its origin in Shanghai. At that time, women's natural beauty began to be emphasized, while at the same time western style clothing began to have influence. As continuous improvements were made, the cheongsam developed into a new fashion, integrating both Chinese and Western elements. Since the 1930s, the cheongsam had almost become the standard clothing for all Chinese women, including commoners, students, working women and the prestigious ladies of high society. Further improvements would accompany the cheongsam's popularity during the following two decades.

在中国漫长的服装文化历史中,唯有旗袍跨越了国界,并受到了很多外国女性的喜爱.如今,不论是各大电影节上还是在世界小姐、世界模特大赛上,旗袍已经成为一种中国服饰的代名词.
Throughout the long history of Chinese clothing culture, only the cheongsam has gone beyond national borders and entered the international fashion arena. It has become the fashion style representing Chinese traditional culture and has become popular with many foreign ladies. Today, the cheongsam has become synonymous with Chinese fashion, whether it be film festivals, Miss World pageants or global model contests.

(Source: myechinese.com)