| Chinese fashion embodies the elegance of a cultural | | | | of the cheongsam dress. It can provide insulation if |
| tradition that has endured for thousands of years. | | | | worn close to the body, as in thermal underwear and |
| When a civilization has been around as long as China's | | | | Chinese quilted, or wadded, silk jackets. Silk also may |
| has, there's been plenty of time to figure out what | | | | be woven into sheer fabrics that billow in the summer |
| looks good on a woman and is comfortable. Yang Lu's | | | | breeze, allowing air to circulate and cool the skin. Silk is |
| is so right when she claims that Chinese clothes | | | | so soft to the touch that "smooth as silk" has become |
| embody the essence of "elegance and symbolism." | | | | the ultimate comparison. It can be dyed into a rainbow |
| As the United States embraces the unique ethnic | | | | colors. It is durable, even emerging from archaeological |
| identities of its people, ethnic styles are more popular | | | | sites after hundreds of years. Some women's silk |
| than ever at the begining of the 21st century. Chinese | | | | clothing may be gently washed by hand. |
| fashion is an especially good choice for the older | | | | - Chinese fashion often uses handmade details that |
| woman who wants to add something new to her | | | | are innately beautiful and may not be available in many |
| wardrobe, yet sophisticated, comfortable, and classic. | | | | factory-made garments for the same price. Details |
| Here are some reasons why an Asian fashion may | | | | include embroidery, hand-painted flowers or scenes, |
| be right for you. | | | | and frogging. Frogging is a type of intricately braided |
| - The long, lean lines of Chinese clothes silhouette | | | | button fastening. Motifs such as the Chinese dragon |
| feminine curves and disguise figure problems. The | | | | have inspired interest and fantasy for a thousand |
| cheongsam - the traditional Chinese dress most often | | | | years. |
| associated with that culture - can be fitted so that it is | | | | - Chinese clothes are a perfect way to express |
| a slimming sheath. We often see the skin-tight version | | | | membership in our global, intercultural world. We are |
| in Hollywood depictions. It is not necessary to wear a | | | | faced with a large of array of ethnic fashion from |
| cheongsam dress like a sausage skin and is not even | | | | which to choose, including bright African dashikis, Indian |
| authentic. Chinese women have lived and worked in | | | | saris and Indian-inspired draped gowns, Native |
| this simple, elegant dress for centuries. | | | | American prints, as well as more traditional European |
| - The traditional Mandarin collar, used in cheongsam | | | | Scottish plaids, Irish sweaters, and - of course - the |
| dresses and Chinese silk jackets, is a high neckline that | | | | influence of French and Italian uber-designers. Chinese |
| can conceal what may be an older woman's least | | | | fashions are comfortable, may include handmade |
| attractive visible feature. Candace Bergen, a notably | | | | details, often offer the luxury of silk fabric, and are |
| beautiful older woman, has complained about her neck | | | | available in styles that flatter the older woman's figure. |
| for decades. If you've seen an episode of Boston | | | | - A Chinese garment is an investment that will bring |
| Legal, you may notice Bergen adopting artificially | | | | compliments for years to come. Chinese fashions |
| heightened collars secured by chunky jewelry to | | | | have been around for thousands of years. Their many |
| conceal what she cites as one of her worst features. | | | | attractions ensure that they will endure for at least our |
| The Mandarin collar goes a long way to concealing a | | | | lifetimes. When was the last time you saw a Chinese |
| neckline with rings or chicken skin, two common | | | | woman whose clothing appeared dowdy or |
| effects of aging. Unlike a scarf, which can be deadly | | | | out-of-date? |
| hot in warm weather, the Mandarin collar loosely | | | | For more information about the history and symbolism |
| conceals without strangling. A high neckline in a | | | | of Chinese clothes, Yang Lu presents a wonderful |
| garment of a solid fabric can become the background | | | | summary of the regional and historical traditions, |
| for an eye-catching necklace. | | | | complete with glossary and photos. Fashion After 50 |
| - Luxurious women's silk clothing is sought-after in the | | | | has some suggestions for Chinese fashion for the |
| current trend for green clothing and natural fibers. | | | | fashionable older woman. |
| China was long thought to be the sole source of silk | | | | In summary, there's a lot of good reasons to add a |
| fiber unique to the cocoon of the mulberry worm. Only | | | | Chinese fashion to your wardrobe. These styles are |
| recently have archaeological expeditions in Europe | | | | especially age appropriate for older women looking for |
| revealed than some royalty wore silk fabric spun from | | | | something unusual with handmade details, comfortable, |
| the cocoons of native moth species, reported Diana | | | | and figure-flattering. Many garments are beautiful |
| Pearsall in Science News (Dec. 11, 2004). Silk drapes | | | | examples of women's silk clothing with a timely, ethnic |
| beautifully, as illustrated in the graceful, elongating lines | | | | twist. |