Short-sleeve Iron-red Cotton Cheongsam with Zipper and Printed Pattern Front

This simple, unadorned cheongsam made of machine-woven cotton fabric with printed pattern was designed for daily wear. Its model which shows influence of western apparel-making features sleeves sewn onto shoulders, a trim of waistline, and a shrink of lower laps known as “flower pot foot” during that era.
Without any frog or piping, this gown adopted snap fasteners and zippers onto the diagonal placket. The waist darts on the back, as well as the way the standing collar was sewn, all show signs of reduced use of traditional techniques in the cheongsam-making.
Donated by Ms. Yan of Beijing, this item was worn by her mother around the year 1949.