A black sleeveless cheongsam with white floral motifs

Title
A black sleeveless cheongsam with white floral motifs
Year/Period
Late 1960s to early 1970s
Region
Singapore
Dimension
Gross measurement: 110.1 x 42.1 cm
Accession No.
2011-00041
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Irene Lim

This is a black cheongsam with white floral motifs. This knee-length piece is made from jersey and polyester. Jersey is a knitted fabric made from cotton or a blend of cotton and synthetic fibres. It is known for its stretchability and tends to cling to the body, helping to create the fitted silouhette archetypical of a cheongsam. Polyester is a synthetic fabric that first gained popularity in the 1970s.The cheongsam is a ubiquitous Chinese dress that first gained popularity in the early 20th century and was an essential part of a typical woman’s wardrobe. It has its origins in the originally long robes worn by Manchu women of the Qing Dynasty. The cheongsam is usually bespoked to ensure a fitted silhouette and its other distinctive features include a high collar, side slits at the hem and a decorative knot and loop fastener for the collar or shoulder flap, called the ‘hua niu’.