Cheongsam is no longer just a traditional long dress
I’ve been seeing a number of ladies in cheongsam during this Chinese New Year. Also known as qipao, they seem to be fashionable again and come in a variety of styles, with many updated as a more contemporary East-West fusion formal wear. They’re elegant no doubt, but somehow I’ve never ever considered them in my wardrobe because I think they won’t flatter my big hips too much. But no matter. Even though I don’t wear them, I enjoy looking at ladies dressed in these lovely apparel with traditional Chinese origins.
Besides the Chinese New Year, many women also like to wear the cheongsam during their wedding ceremony and some wouldn’t mind paying more to get a good quality dress tailored just for their special day. Apart from those made by the bridal companies, there are also a few places to get your cheongsam, short of flying to Shanghai that is.
Here, I put together a list of shops that specialize in making or selling cheongsam in Singapore. A number of these stores provide rather unique designs like those from My Mandarin Collar you see on the picture above.
Hana Fashion
Lady Xiang
Mazzario Cheong Sam Shop
My Mandarin Collar
The Cheongsam Shoppe
In addition, you can also get your cheongsam from Tan Tan at #01-05 Shaw Towers or have it tailored made at Shanghai Silk House 02-100B Far East Plaza if you’re willing to wait. Or just head down to Chinatown and you should be able to find a few shops.
Image credit: em’lia
Related posts
Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
It’s a catch-22 with cheongsams. As elegant as one might look in one, the cheongsam ages her too. It’s sad really, because it’s such a beautiful piece of clothing.
Tine: Now that you’ve mentioned this…yes, I remember seeing a relative who is much younger than me in this and looking way older!
That’s a lovely top – with the red collar. I envy those who can wear them.
Soos: Some look particularly lovely wearing them but some not so…I think it also depends on the style.
Wow they look lovely! I had 2 Chinese Collar tops, one in royal blue and one in baby pink:)
Leon: Oh, I can imagine you looking lovely in them! ?
I love the look of cheongsams. Would love to own one of these! Thanks for the wonderful suggestions…. ?
happyfeet: Yes, they’ll make women look so feminine and the great thing is that they’re so timeless…
I too, have wide hips. And I cannot slim them down because there is no way I can reduce my hip bone.
I remember wearing one when I was a little kid. And I accidentally tore the slit. Then I ran to my aunty’s room for the sewing kit to stitch it back together.
Oh yes… I must warn you about something:
Neutogena UltraSheer Dry-touch sunblock SPF50+ with helioplex might dry out your skin and give you rashes! [if you use it that is…] It is oil-free and non-comedogenic but, it doesn’t really have moisturising properties. Not even glycerin.
Before I used the SPF50+ with helioplex, I actually tried their other ultrasheer sunscreen, the SPF30 without helioplex. THat one is much better and I switched back to using it. It contains squalane and oat kernel extract, and my skin cleared up with 2 days of switching sunscreen.
The SPF30 without helioplex was actually the first one I tried and I had no problems with it. So after finshing the tube, I decided to “increase my protection” and tried the SPF50+ with helioplex [kiasu hor…] in the end after 4 months of using it I got eczema on my arms.
Bottom line is: Even though the stuff I put on my skin will protect it more, it doesn’t mean my skin will like it. Lol.
Ms Blacklace: I used Neutrogena SPF30 before and it was okay but I didn’t use it for long cos it’s a chemical sunscreen and I’m not so keen. Never tried the SPF50 one and so sorry to hear that it broke you out! You have sensitive skin? If so, chemical sunscreens may not suit you. Try mineral ones with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide although my personal preference is zinc oxide.
I would absolutely love to wear one.
I’ll have to ask my daughter to do some pattern hunting. She’s just beginning to sew and I do believe that these would have to be custom fit.
Elaine: Yes, custom fit is best. You’re lucky!
thank you very much sesame..
miyo: ?
I hope you will enjoy the quirky cheongsams at my shop as well:) Right now i am into using Japanese cotton and linen blend for my cheongsam collection:) Cheers, Elaine
Hi,
I would like to use the pix of the cheongsams from My Mandarin Collar for an article I am writing about cheongsams.
Is this ok?
I will credit you.
thks
The pix is not mine – see the credit below the pix. You can credit to the source directly.
Cheongsams have Manchu roots and are not representative of traditional Chinese clothing. They only have a history of 300 years and the qipao (cheongsam) only evolved into the modern form-fitting style during the 1920s.
Oh okay…thanks for sharing this info. I hadn’t realized. Now that you mentioned, I recall that some of the earlier ones had no form and was all straight.
Was searching for cheongsam and saw this. Love those in Hana. Do you know roughly what is the selling price per piece? Too lazy to go all the way down to the shop to find them too pricey. Just in case you know. Thanks!
Sorry…not sure. I guess it depends on designs. Perhaps you can call me to find out the range of pricing?
Hi,
Could you plese tell me the exact location of My Mandarin Collar ?
Thanks a lot.
I have an unfriendly encounter with the designer of Mazzario @ Wheelock place recently. To make my story short, my body got to fit her dress & cut, not the dress to fit my body shape. She added either the right arm is tighter or left arm is looser after the alteration to get the collar centralised. She has to cheek to say it’s okay to feel uncomfortable for the few hours at my event. Btw, her cheong sam is not cheap. But the design is modern & chic. However, workmanship is not there yet.
For those who plan to get cheong sam there, please think twice !
I’m going to Singapore for 2 weeks. Can you recommend a Cheongsam tailor because I want to tailor made a simple one with my own fabric? Thanks.
Try this:
Iris & Edel Fashion Design
211 New Bridge Road
#02-22 Lucky China Town
S(059432)
Heard some good feedback but I’ve not tried them though.
I love cheongsam very much! But not easy to find one here. I bought one from http://www.cheongsamdressonline.com . but not fit very well. So i suggest better buy cheongsam from your local tailor’s!
Hello Alice, I would like to ask if you bought the cheong sum off the shelves or it is custom made? And if it is custom made, roughly how much did you pay for ( you can provide a round up figure will do)?
I completely agree. The sales people there are rude and unfriendly. For that workmanship their prices are outrageous. There are other places that sell cheongsams with better quality and more reasonable prices.