Can boys wear cheongsam?

Qipao, originally meant as "the robe worn by the flag bearer", is called "garment interface" in Manchu, which is divided into four types: single, clip, leather and cotton.

Nowadays, cheongsam, as a symbol of Chinese style, comes from Manchu costume "cheongsam". At first, it was not a common dress of Manchu, and men also wore cheongsam at that time.

The Qing Dynasty was a feudal dynasty ruled by Manchu, so Manchu costumes were "national clothes" in the Qing Dynasty. In the early Qing dynasty, in order to strengthen the rule of Han people, it was forbidden to wear Hanfu. Two-piece clothes are only allowed for Han women to wear at home. It is stipulated that "shaving and changing clothes" and "clothes" are Manchu costumes, of which "cheongsam" is the most common.

On formal occasions, not only women but also men should wear "cheongsam". The style and structure of men's cheongsam are relatively simple, such as round neck, big chest, narrow sleeves, four-sided slit, left slit, buckle ring and belt. Because Manchu people are good at riding and shooting, such clothing design is convenient for riding and shooting, which is the creation of Manchu riding and shooting life.

The word "robe and mandarin jacket" that we are familiar with is the "cheongsam" worn by ordinary men at that time. However, this "cheongsam" does not belong to what we now call cheongsam.

Manchu women wear cheongsam, which is much more complicated than men and pays attention to decoration. The neckline, sleeve head and skirt show different colors of lace, up to 18. The traditional Manchu women's cheongsam is cut in a straight line. The chest, shoulders, waist and buttocks are completely straight, and the top and bottom are in a straight line. Coupled with the high collar, the curve of the female body is not exposed.

Although the cheongsam worn by Manchu women at first did not show the curvy beauty of women like today's "cheongsam", it is indeed the origin of cheongsam today.

In the late Qing Dynasty, Manchu and Han women merged with each other in their long-term life, and their clothing styles began to imitate each other, and the differences in clothing gradually narrowed, so Manchu cheongsam became popular all over the country.

At the beginning of the 20th century, cheongsam was improved, with loose waist, wide cuffs and moderate length, making it easy to walk. This was a popular dress for women in China at that time. 1929, the national government identified cheongsam as one of the national women's costumes.

After the 1940s, influenced by western costumes, the cheongsam was further improved, shortened in style, with high forks on both sides, and a short-sleeved or sleeveless cheongsam appeared, which was streamlined in appearance and more fashionable, thus highlighting the curvaceous beauty of women's figure.

Today's cheongsam is very different from the original Manchu costume "cheongsam". Cheongsam, as one of the iconic Chinese costumes, also plays an increasingly important role in important diplomatic occasions.