Guest Author - Caroline Baker

This beautiful, traditional Chinese dress has been featured in many movies about China. The most recent being the box office hit, House of Flying Daggers during the impressive drum dance.

The Pien-fu is composed of two pieces. The top tunic is normally a robe that is tied about the waist and extends down to the knees. The characteristic long, wide sleeves distinguish it and make a popular symbol of elegance. The bottom is normally another skirt that will extend down to the feet or floor.

Versions of this dress extend far back into Chinese history, perhaps even to the first use of silk in clothing. The styles of the pien-fu have changed over time with complexity. While the embroidery has always been far similar that the more modern qipao, as time went one, the hems of the material received intricate needlework. The colors of the robe stood to signify the position of the person within society. In addition, it lacks the high Manchurian collar of the qipao and the multiple layers make it more complicated to wear than its successor.

No longer worn in today's world, the pien-fu can still be seen in various Chinese Opera and cinema. In addition, it is part of the inspiration of many modern things like the ribbon dance seen in acrobatic competitions.