What is traditional Chinese dress?

Traditional Chinese clothing varies widely depending on the region of the country and the time period it is from. However, many articles of clothing share some broad characteristics. Traditional Chinese clothing tends to be long, loose-fitting and layered, with robes being more common for both men and women than pants.

One traditional Chinese garment that is particularly well-known in the West is the cheongsam. This is a close-fitting silk dress, usually with a Mandarin collar and cap sleeves. It was originally worn by women in 1920s Shanghai. A men's version of the cheongsam, called the changshan, consists of a loose-fitting silk robe and a silk jacket with buttons in the front.