During the Beijing Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games, foreign visitors have not only been attracted by the sport events, but also by rich Chinese culture. An elegant part of this culture is the Chinese qipao, the national dress for women in China, now also becoming popular in the West, something evidenced by Anne Rogge, wife of Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, who was seen in a red qipao at the opening ceremony of the Games on August 8.

But to fully present the charm of a qipao, a high-collared, silken garment that flows over the body to the knees or ankles, some accessories are absolutely necessary. The following are recommended by fashion experts.

Pearls

Possessing a strong oriental feeling, pearl ornaments are the best choice as accessories for a qipao. In Chinese tradition, pearls represent purity, sincerity, perfection and joy. The regal adornments are loved by royal families and ordinary people alike.

White pearl jewelry is the best match for a dark-colored qipao, such as dark green, purple, blue, black or burgundy. For a traditionally styled qipao, pearl necklaces are a good match. In terms of the design of pearl necklaces, there are single-ring, double-ring and triple-ring necklaces with different lengths. The diameter of each pearl should be about 6-8 mm. For young girls, the single-ring necklace is more suitable. The length of the necklace can be decided by the personal taste of the wearer and the design of the qipao. A fashionable way of wearing a long necklace is to tie a knot in it.

Pearl brooches are also a good choice to enhance a qipao. A white brooch for a dark colored qipao, or a black brooch for a light colored or single color qipao is always a good choice.

The important rule is not to overdo the pearl jewelry. Its role is like that of green leaves to a flower and it should not only match the qipao but also the character and disposition of the wearer.

Jade

Without the presence of jade the elegant effect of a qipao is not complete. China is famous for its jade, and the jade culture has a history of more than 4,000 years in the country. Chinese people believe that jade is a magic stone, which provides a link with nature and is associated with merit, morality, grace and dignity.

In China, the jade culture has influenced all walks of life. In ancient times, jade craftworks were among the most precious and luxurious possessions. People wore and decorated rooms with it to indicate their social status. Jade was often made into designs which had varied meanings. For example, a peach-shaped jade ornament represents longevity, while a mandarin duck means love.

In Chinese, many words or phrases are related to jade. For example, "unpolished jade never shines" means that one cannot be a useful person without an education. Jade also implies the meaning of honor and treasure. The names of many Chinese girls in ancient times included the character yu (the Chinese word for jade), which reflected the love of their parents.