Qipao, an embodiment of grace and elegance from an era, showcases the soft beauty of ancient Oriental charm. It blooms in the depths of time, remaining elegant and timeless. Shanghai Qipao originates from Shanghai, the “magic city”. The 1930s and 1940s marked its prime. It integrates Western tailoring with Chinese elements, featuring waist-cinching designs to fit women’s curves, or using soft shoulder pads to enhance beauty. It adopts Western-style collars like lapels, teardrop collars, and ruffled collars, with diverse sleeve styles. Its biggest features are high slits, a body-hugging fit, and high collars, boldly displaying women’s delicate curves. After decades of development, Shanghai Qipao has become one of China’s distinctive qipao schools.
Design Features of Haipai Qipao
Shanghai Qipao has revolutionized three-dimensional tailoring. Abandoning traditional flat cutting, it introduces Western 3D tailoring concepts. Through waist cinching, slits, and sleeveless designs, the fabric “comes alive”, flowing with the body s curves. When walking, legs are subtly revealed, fitting the reserved and understated aesthetic of Oriental beauty.
Its fabrics and patterns have also changed significantly. Silk is no longer the sole star; imported lace, georgette, and wool fabrics are boldly used. Patterns blend Chinese and Western styles: ink-wash intertwined lotus meets Art Deco radial geometric lines; delicate Suzhou embroidery clashes surprisingly with French sequins, creating a tiny grand stage on the front of the garment.
In color craftsmanship, Shanghai Qipao is innovative. It abandons traditional bright tones, favoring low-saturation “urban colors” like smoke gray, moon white, and lotus pink. However, details like hems and edges use bolder colors, creating a sense of “restraint with hidden boldness”. It emphasizes eight craftsmanships: “inlaying, inserting, rolling, hanging, coiling, embroidery”, showing its exquisite and high-quality nature through complex techniques.
Main Styles of Shanghai Qipao
Shanghai Qipao mainly has three styles: classic modern, personalized matching, and modern new styles.Classic modern style: Popular in 1930s Shanghai, like the “In the Mood for Love” vibe. Examples include orange sleeveless printed qipao with geometric frog buttons, or black lace embroidered styles with collars only one finger high, perfect for showing diamond necklaces.Personalized matching style: Features new looks with hems reaching the calves, varied cuff shapes, and diverse hem styles.
Modern new style: Integrates intangible cultural heritage and modern elements, such as qipao waist belts. Different embroidery patterns adorn the qipao, with styles for weddings, daily wear, and formal occasions to meet various needs.
Where to Immerse in Shanghai Qipao Experience
In Shanghai, you can Visit Zhang Garden to experience the historical scenes of Shanghai qipao from the last century, immersing yourself in the qipao atmosphere.
Explore the Shanghai Textile and Apparel Museum to witness Shanghai’s legendary development and understand the origin and aesthetic evolution of Shanghai Qipao.Go to Nanjing West Road, where you can walk the streets in a qipao, with street views as your loyal backdrop. You can also visit qipao workshops to appreciate the craftsmanship of experienced masters and their precious clothing creations.
