Chang Pao

Chang Pao was a type of men's clothing that was worn below the knees and had a round collar band. The long gown had no collar, narrow horseshoe-shaped sleeves, buttons along the left front, four slits, and a fitted waist. The slits could improve men's freedom of movement during horseback riding. Men wore thin cotton Chang Pao in the summer and warm cotton Chang Pao or a fur-lined cloak in the winter.

Originally, Chang Pao was the standard Manchu clothing, complete with horseshoe-shaped sleeves and four lower side slits. Manchu originated in the north, where the winters were much colder than in central China. Men would roll up these horseshoe sleeves while hunting or going about their everyday business. They were made to cover the hands in the winter. As a result, every male clothes throughout the early Qing Dynasty had horseshoe-shaped sleeves. They would roll their sleeves up when going about their daily activities, much like the Manchu. The sleeves had to be lowered to cover the hands when the imperial officers bowed to their higher officers or the emperor.

Meanwhile, the Manchus were known as folks on the journey, thus their gown featured four slits, one on each side, front and back, reaching the knees. It was form-fitting and quite warm. When people went hunting, the long gown, which was fastened with a waistline, could hold substantial food and equipment.

Chang Pao evolved with the shifting of lifestyles and the blending of Han and Manchu cultures, as the horseshoe-shaped sleeves were abandoned and the four-slit design was reduced to two or even none. However, horseshoe-shaped sleeves and a four-slit form could still be found on Qing official robes and those of high status.

Men wore typically blue, gray, or green long robes, while women wore white. Some women added lovely silk ribbon laces to the front, neckline, and sleeve margins of their dresses to adorn them.