The long robe (known as ‘changshan’长衫in Southern China and Hong Kong and ‘changpao’ 长袍 in Northern China) was the standard informal garment worn by men during the early Republican period in China and Hong Kong. It is a one-piece long robe that can be worn alone or under a short jacket known as a ‘magua’ 马褂. This robe was tailored at a certain tailor shop by the name of Lu Xin Long 蘆信隆 in Hong Kong. It belonged to Mr Kaan Tat Choi, who was a successful businessman in the bullion business. Mr Kaan expanded his business from Hong Kong to Malaya in the 1920s, acquiring several rubber plantations along the east coast of Malaya. He also opened a bullion trading company called “Yee Shing” at 20 Canal Road in Singapore in the 1930s.
