31 replies to this topic

[Liang Jieming]

Anyone know where I can get this? So far I've only found one place Asianideas.com that sells this but they don't deliver to Singapore.

I'm looking for one in cotton and not the shiny silk type which is too tacky. According to the Asianideas.com website, they import them from China but I can't find them either in Shanghai or in Guangzhou. Anyone know where I can get one? I'm thinking of wearing one during CNY next year. :-)

[Liang Jieming]

I just got my changpao! It's blue, 100% cotton and looks exactly like the photo above! It looks pretty original and authentic (not some tacky silk one usually found in chinatowns).

I'm wearing it to my friend's house this CNY. Should be fun.

Jieming

[snowybeagle]

       
I just got my changpao! It's blue, 100% cotton and looks exactly like the photo above! It looks pretty original and authentic (not some tacky silk one usually found in chinatowns).

Please share with us where you got it from and the price.
Some of us might decide to go a little crazy too.

[Gubook Janggoon]

Whoa...now I want one...

[Tyler]

Is this a classy or good looking uniform in the east like the suits in the west?

[Gubook Janggoon]

...I want one b/c the Chinese restraunt owners in Korea wear those things and make delicious Jja Jang Myeon...mmm....tasty...

[Liang Jieming]

Please share with us where you got it from and the price.
Some of us might decide to go a little crazy too.

I have two sources. One was order direct from Asianideas.com and ship to a local US address to be reshipped back to Singapore. The second source was to get it directly tailor-made in Guangzhou and shipped back here. I decided on the US source and get off the rack. Pricewise about the same.

Not cheap ah. The changpao is USD38 + USD6.50 shipping to local US address. Then shipping to Singapore USD14 by express post. I was rushing things for CNY so that's why a bit expensive. Could have saved a lot on shipping if I was willing to wait.

There is a cheaper lightweight version at USD30 but only in black so not so nice for CNY. They used to have it in other colours but donno why no more.

Actually if you don't mind the tacky silk with the subtle slightly shiny round patterns all over the material (black or blue colours only I think), you can get it for SGD80 (not yet bargained) in Chinatown.

Anyway, I've pretty happy with this one. It was just what I was looking for. I wanted a "real" one in common cotton and authentic without western buttons and stuff. Didn't want one of those hopelessly "Chinaman" type meant for western tourists.

Gubuk J, you're in the states so you should be able to get it cheaper than I did. Login to asianideas.com and just order online.

[Peng]

You got it? Great.

I might consider to buy one to wear it in CNY party this Feb. (I'm assigned to be the speaker for this party). Myabe black or red.

[Liang Jieming]

You got it? Great.

I might consider to buy one to wear it in CNY party this Feb. (I'm assigned to be the speaker for this party). Myabe black or red.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Black? For CNY? Red better I think, though it's not a colour for me.

[Starfire]

I remember once Yun wore black and I wore dark-green (nearly black) for CNY.

[Moose]

Just carry an old chinese umbrella,grow a pigtail and wear those old round sunglasses and you can pass off as Wang Fei Hong.If i see someone wearing that during CNY,i would know it's you

[Wú Fēi]

It sounds wonderful for Jieming's 长袍/長袍, but where are the trousers?

Why not trying to design one garment in the ancient style? I'll consider it more Centerian!

[ShuHan]

I agree with Wu Fei because I would like to get one of the ancient Han traditional cloth such as the Scholars type and the peasants type, also a hermit type. Does anybody know where to get one that look nice, but not that expensive due to my budget. Thank you so much. No offend about the changpao, but I like when a girl wear it. As for me I like the Han, Tang, Song, and Ming clothing.

[Liang Jieming]

Just carry an old chinese umbrella,grow a pigtail and wear those old round sunglasses and you can pass off as Wang Fei Hong.If i see someone wearing that during CNY,i would know it's you

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was thinking of wearing this to visit relatives but mainly to my regular CNY gathering of old schoolmates. Not sure I'll go with the umbrella and definitely will give the pigtail a miss but I'm thinking of just walking into the house with my round puyi-type sunglasses and maybe a folded fan.

I've always like watching Wong Fei Hong movies and that's probably where the fascination began.

I do agree that Han type clothing is nicer but they are a lot less practical to wear unless you're talking about the loose shirt and trousers of the peasant. The multi layers and folds will be too much for this warm tropical climate. A little too elaborate for me, whereas this changpao is rather subtle, understated and simple. Not sure I could pull off wearing han type clothing into a party. Add a jian and people will think I walked off the set of the next hongkong Wusia movie.
]
Anyway, Manchuria is part of China so that makes this Chinese too. It's been worn by Chinese the last 300-400 years.

Besides, I'm thinking of getting a nice light pink long Qipao for my gf to wear so she'll match me in the changpao.

hahahaha, just had a thought. Maybe go downtown and get an uncle to cycle us in his rickshaw to the party! kekekeke that would be hilarious!

[Liang Jieming]

It sounds wonderful for Jieming's 长袍/長袍, but where are the trousers?

Why not trying to design one garment in the ancient style? I'll consider it more Centerian!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Trousers? Ah, I'm just going to wear one of my own. I'm still looking for old photos of people wearing this to see how I should wear it properly. I don't suppose you have any or know how to wear one?

I've just come to realise as I search for photos that there are two distinct types. One is the kind that goes all the way down to the shoes and has no collar (worn by Chow Yun Fat in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon). This I believe is the really old traditional one based directly on the Manchu dress which I don't really like. The second type is the one I bought which only goes to halfway between the knees and the shoes. This one was more common during the republican era where (I've yet to find a photo) they are usually portrayed with trousers, black shoes and a western hat (like in the 1930's shanghai gangster movies). The slit on this changpao goes very high, all the way to the hips to allow you to use the side pockets of your trousers. The older version doesn't have this high slit and is usually worn with white trousers and "kungfu" shoes.

I've been playing around with the changpao and it's really fun. You'd think it would restrict your movements since it's like a dress and all but I did the S'pore 18 style taichi in it yesterday evening and I like the way the "skirts" flap out front and back when you kick or step forward.

Anyone can help me with a good picture of how this should be worn? It has a white inner collar just within the mandarin collar which I'm not sure whether it should be worn up or down. My guess is up since I'm assuming it was to form a seal around the neck to keep warm as well as to look like there is an inner shirt.

I'm also not sure of the exact height of the hemline from the shoes. I don't want to have one too long or too short and look dorky so I've opened up the stitches to adjust since I'm fairly tall at 1.83m. Anyone know the "correct" length?

Another one are the sleeves. How are they worn? I know they were folded back to reveal the white inner linings around the cuffs but how far back to fold? Do I stop at the wrist, over the wrist or just above?

Anyone?