| Children all over the world wear the girl’s cheung | | | | Kids may be familiar with the Cheung Sam as they |
| sam (or Qi Pao) for birthdays, school programs, | | | | can also see this pretty dress not only during formal |
| Chinese festivals or to attend weddings. The | | | | parties or Chinese festivals. They can also see the |
| Cheung Sam – Qi Pao is a beautiful, elegant | | | | Cheung Sam worn by girl characters in tv or videos. |
| Chinese dress that flatters kids and adult women | | | | Chun Li from the video game Street Fighter |
| alike. | | | | alternates her fight clothes with Cheung Sam inspired |
| The Cheung Sam- Qi Pao is a distinct Chinese dress | | | | clothes. Even Japanese anime has characters that |
| style that features a high collar that is clasped at | | | | wear the Cheung Sam or Qi Pao. Shows that may |
| the throat, a variety of sleeves, a skirt or blouse | | | | be familiar to your child and have characters that |
| that has slits. The collar can be closed with pretty | | | | wear this Chinese dress are Shampoo from Ran Ma, |
| Chinese knots. These Chinese knots may symbolize | | | | Liu Mei Wang from Gundam and Jun Tao from |
| an animal or flower. The fabric of Cheung sams | | | | Shaman King. |
| may vary, but it is prettiest when made in brocaded | | | | Cosplayers sometimes also wear the Cheung Sam. ( |
| silk. Little girls can romp around comfortably in silk or | | | | Cosplay is dressing up in anime characters’ |
| cotton Cheung Sams. The Cheung Sam – Qi | | | | costumes.) Cosplay Cheung Sam may be made |
| Pao can be can be sleeveless, or have short or long | | | | of silk or other more unusual materials, such as |
| sleeves.. Sleeveless Cheung Sams let kids move | | | | rubber. |
| freely, but short sleeved ones are also comfortable. | | | | Your children may enjoy wearing their Cheung Sam |
| Little girls can choose whether they want to wear a | | | | for other occasions other than Chinese festivals and |
| one-piece dress Cheung Sam, or a dress pants set. | | | | weddings. They may want to wear their Cheong |
| Pants can be worn under the Cheung Sam to add to | | | | Sam – Qi Pao during fun activities in school. |
| your child’s freedom of movement. Pants with | | | | Awarding of honors, instrument recitals, fairs, |
| elastic band at the waist makes dressing also a lot | | | | recognition ceremonies of summer programs are also |
| easier. | | | | some occasions that your child can the Chinese |
| In old historical China, during the Qing Dynasty, | | | | dress. Birthday parties may be more fun if your |
| Manchu women wore qi pao that are long and | | | | child is all dressed up pretty in her Cheong Sam. |
| covered a girl totally, revealing only the head, hands | | | | Halloween is also a fun holiday that doesn’t have |
| and tips of the feet. By 1900, after the end of the | | | | to be all about ghosts or European princess dresses. |
| Qing Dynasty, the tailored, form-fitting qi pao was | | | | Chinese Cheong Sam can also be used to portray |
| worn and popularized by socialites and high-class | | | | favorite Chinese heroines or characters, like Mulan. |
| courtesans. As fashion expanded, so did the designs | | | | Family get-togethers, especially when meeting up |
| for the Cheung Sam - Qi Pao. Today, the Cheung | | | | with relatives proud of their Chinese ancestry is also |
| Sam may come in a variety of modern designs, but | | | | a good time for your child to wear the Cheung Sam, |
| is still as flattering as ever. | | | | and please the relatives too. |