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

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