The traditional China dress, more properly called a cheongsam (Cantonese) or qipao (Mandarin), was introduced in Qing-era China in the 1600s but did not evolve into its current form until the early 20th century. There are many styles, but it typically is a long, form-fitting dress with a mandarin collar, an asymmetric left-over-right opening, high-to-medium side slits, and embellished with Chinese frog fasteners on the lapel and the collar. It may have any variety of sleeves.
In anime they are often stylized to be more revealing than the traditional dress, being either very short, or having very long side slits with a pelvic curtain that barely covers anything, or having cleavage or back cutouts.
Don't use this tag for qipao-styled clothes that aren't dresses, such as shirts or vests. Use Chinese clothes instead. For example, Hong Meiling's default outfit is not a dress.
There are various types of neckline in qipao. The most common type is the Shanghai-style neckline, which has an asymmetrical closure with frogs leading diagonally up to the collar. The Beijing-style collar is a simpler symmetrical design, with a frog closure directly beneath the collar. The Jiangnan style is similar to the Beijing style, but features a hole right underneath the collar.
Examples of each neckline
Shanghai neckline
Beijing neckline
Jiangnan neckline
Examples
A more traditional version, with slits up to the knees and a looser fit.
