This long-sleeve cheongsam for autumn and winter wear still shows a tight-fitting silhouette although it was padded with a thin layer of cotton batting beneath the firm, thick black satin adorned with golden floral motifs. Typical of cheongsams made in the 1940s, this piece features a traditional shape with the shoulders and sleeves in one seamless piece, an obvious trim of waistline, a diagonal placket and two lower side slits.
Ingenious techniques were applied to the 0.8 cm-wide black satin hem inserted with super fine pipes. The frogs were designed into shapes of flowers to go with the large floral motifs on the fabric foundation, a testimony to the fine taste of the wealthy people during that era.
Interested in Natural history?
Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.