Vintage Custom Made Green and Gold authentic Chinese Brocade and Silk Cheong-Sam Dress

I have collected vintage textiles and clothing for decades and I can honestly say that this beautiful Chinese cheongsam is the most beautiful I've come across.

The cheongsam (also known as a qipao) is a Chinese dress worn by women which takes inspiration from the ethnic clothing of the Manchu people. It 's most often seen as a longer, figure-fitting, one piece garment with a standing collar, an asymmetric left-over-right opening and two side slits. It was popular in China from the 1920s to 1940s, overlapping the Republican era, and was popularized by Chinese socialites and high society women in Shanghai. It is sometimes known as the 'Mandarin gown'.

The Republican period is the golden age of cheongsam. In exploring reasons behind its prevalence in Republic of China, many scholars relate it to the women's liberation movements. After the feudal Qing dynasty was overturned, Chinese feminists called for women's liberation from traditional roles and they led several movements against the Neo-Confucian gender segregation, including a termination of bound feet for women, cutting off long hair which was conventionally symbolized as women's "Oriental" beauty, and encouraging women to wear men's one-piece clothing, Changshan or "changpao".

This dress appears to have been custom made. There is an intact label but my research tells me that this was a tailor and not from a known clothing line or shop.

It is in superb condition. There are no stains, marks, fading, foxing, repairs or odours. Mine is a pet and smoke free home.

There is no size label so check measurements closely.

One of the nice things about this dress is that it is more generously sized than others I have collected and thus potentially wearable on a larger North American or European body.

Measures as follows:
Shoulder to Hem:53.5" / 136 cm.
Pit to Pit: 19" / 48.5 cm.
Sleeve Length: 19"/ 48.5 authentic cm.

There is a 24" slit on both sides.

The exquisite brocade outer fabric has a background in forest green an dis covered in an Oriental design including auspicious symbology.

The inside is fully lined in a sumptuous green silk/satin while the piping is all in gold satin.

Comes in a drawstring silk bag. Truly outstanding!

The Fine Print:

***I'm a woman who loves to travel and have spent a ‘longish' and lucky lifetime exploring many parts of the world. Most of the items I list have at one time been used, worn and/or displayed in my home.

My aim is to be scrupulously accurate in the description of the articles I sell. Take the time to look closely at the photos. I regard them as key when ascertaining condition. Many of my items are older and, with age comes wrinkles (trust me I know!). Many times, not always, it's the flaws that give an item its charm and character.

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Unless noted otherwise, I will happily ship items worldwide. Please contact me for an accurate overseas shipping quote. Customs/import duties are always the buyer's responsibility.

I do not accept ‘buyer's remorse' returns but if the item you purchase is damaged en-route or differs in major respects from that which you thought you were purchasing, monies will be refunded. However, the item must be returned to me immediately (if only to cry over). Buyer pays return shipping.

To keep costs down, I always try to use clean recycled packing materials. Also, mine has always been a smoke-free home.