Pink Striped Chinese-Style Sheath Dress , 1920s to 1930s
108 x 41 cm (h x w)
Dress
[H990.277.84 ]

Between 1925 and 1930, the length of the cheongsam shortens dramatically to fit modern women’s active lifestyle. Dresses that fell straight from the shoulders in an A-line to the hem became popular. Dresses also changed from floor-length to just below the knees. This change in Chinese dresses corresponded to the shorter dress length in Western fashion, making it more convenient for Chinese women to wear silk stockings and high heels. According to the Museum of Vancouver, interviews with the Yip family members indicated that this dress was “westernized” in style. There were apparent differences between this dress and Chinese cheongsams of its time. For example, this dress only has a band around the neck, while most Chinese cheongsams have tight high collars. This dress also has cuffed sleeves, which is considered a Western influence that departed from Chinese traditions, but was adopted in overseas Chinese communities.

Exhibited by:

Violet Wolfe

Other works by Unknown

Chinese Woman’s Lilac Pants Suit , 1920s
Violet Wolfe
Print Chinese-Style Sheath Dress , 1935 to 1940
104 x 40 cm (h x w)
Dress
Violet Wolfe
Lillian Wong’s Chinese Applique Sheet , 1900 to 1930
26.5 x 22.9 cm (h x w)
appliques
Violet Wolfe
Ann Rutherford’s Spring Styles 1941 , 1941
Photograph
Violet Wolfe
Lillian Wong’s Parasol , 1900 to 1950
49 x 7 cm (h x w)
Parasol
Violet Wolfe

More from Violet Wolfe

Portrait of a Group of Chinese Women , Not before 1930s
Photograph
Violet Wolfe
Portrait of a Group of Chinese Women , Not before 1930s
Photograph
Violet Wolfe
Chinese-Style Slippers , c. 1892 to 1980s
Footwear
Violet Wolfe
Lillian Wong’s Parasol , 1900 to 1950
49 x 7 cm (h x w)
Parasol
Violet Wolfe
Timepieces and Bracelets , Unknown
Jewelry
Violet Wolfe