Qipao Shopping in Shanghai
We went shopping for a qipao for Sabrina on the weekend. A qipao is the traditional Qing Dynasty dress that is now the archetypal Chinese dress.
It was initially a long and loose dress that hid the womans figure, but in the early 1900's it was modified to be a tight fitting (figure hugging dress) that really accentuated the woman's figure.
I personally think that they are a lovely dress and are extremely flattering to many woman - especially slender asian woman.
We went to Maoming Road (the small section between Huahai Road and NanChang Road), here you can find any qipao you want, short, long, red, black, patterened, plain, ready to go or made to order. There must be at least 15 quality shops where you can buy a qipao from on this section of Maoming Road.
After the 5th shop they all started to look the same to me, but I didn't get tired of seeing Sabrina trying them on - the qipao is completely flattering for her body shape!
Here are my 2 favorite ones that she tried on.
We haven't bought one yet - but I look forward to further shopping trips!
I thought it would be a good idea to share what camera gear I use. I shoot (sometimes) with a Canon EOS350D with standard EF-S 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 II lens and EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens. 
Dear Sir Brad - You are one real lucky guy!
So eligantly sheathed, Sabrina would catch the eye
Of the next Wong Kar Wai, should he wish to re-cast
"In the Mood for Love" - a Sabrina classic that would forever last!
Posted by: Tom | 05 May 2006 at 11:17 AM
Hi there,
Just wondering what are the range of prices of qipao you can get from maoming rd, shanghai? are they cheaper/more expensive/ better quality than the rest of china? Sabrina looks stunning! :)
Posted by: Lim | 16 February 2007 at 08:16 AM
Hello,
just wanted to tell you that a qipao is not actually the traditional Qing Dynasty dress. Han Chinese women wore fashions that have carried over from the Ming dynasty while Manchu women had their own fashions. In this regard, the qipao is actually an invention of the twentieth century (1920s) but you are right about it becoming an archetypal Chinese dress.
Posted by: pLO | 26 April 2007 at 09:49 PM
i love their dresses i know i dont speak chinese but my school is doing a reseach on chinese life and i was looking at the dresses and I love the white one
sincerly, Brittany
Posted by: Brittany | 30 April 2007 at 08:51 PM
i love qui pao!!
i want one!, but i live in uruguay (in south america), and i can't buy one
nice pic!
kisses
Posted by: www.metroflog.com/ladomi | 30 June 2007 at 12:32 AM