The popularity of cheongsam in China began in the late Qing Dynasty. People began to improve cheongsam according to their own aesthetics. For example, add a stand-up collar and split, and then slim the waist according to the aesthetic point of view at that time. The improved cheongsam in the late Qing Dynasty is called Beijing style cheongsam. Beijing-style cheongsam gives people a sense of noble tradition, which has a mature charm. In the early years of the Republic of China, cheongsam was influenced by the west, from plane cutting to three-dimensional cutting, forming the Republic of China cheongsam, also known as Shanghai cheongsam.

Beijing-style cheongsam is very traditional. What it shows is the implication and solemnity of China culture. Compared with Shanghai style cheongsam, Beijing style cheongsam is reserved and conservative. However, its colors are rich and varied, and the embroidery patterns on cheongsam are mostly complicated, and the choice of fabrics is also very strict. Beijing-style cheongsam is not as rich and diverse as Shanghai-style cheongsam and has no certain popularity. It is pure and simple, does not follow the crowd, and has its own court style. Beijing-style cheongsam is a lady in the cheongsam family, which fully demonstrates its unique charm and better embodies the cultural tradition of China.

Shanghai style cheongsam is no longer conservative in style, but more open. Different from the traditional style, it shows the unique wild Shanghai style, embodies the charm brought by the unique curve of women, and becomes more fashionable and romantic. Shanghai style cheongsam not only draws lessons from the characteristics of western style, but also has distinct chronological characteristics and national traditional quality. It is a phenomenon of blending eastern and western cultures, pursuing simplicity, pursuing elegance in color system and paying attention to embodying women's own beauty. It became the mainstream direction of clothing changes at that time.

The style difference between Beijing style cheongsam and Shanghai style cheongsam lies in the different emphasis. Shanghai school pays attention to art, while Beijing school pays attention to culture. Shanghai style cheongsam is highly sought after because of its beautiful curves, while Beijing style cheongsam is a loose style. It can be said that Beijing style cheongsam is the past and Shanghai style cheongsam is the future, which enriches the cultural development of cheongsam. With the development of the times, Shanghai style cheongsam has become the mainstream. With the blending of various cultures, the styles of cheongsam have become richer, and they are also learning from each other and influencing each other.