JOHOR BARU: The trend this Chinese New Year is for more "daring" cheongsam with exposed backs and shorter hemlines, says a boutique owner.

The traditional attire for women has also been given a new twist with a tube design, small mandarin collar and frog buttons.

Shevin boutique owner Eileen Lok said the cheongsam was the preferred choice of women who wanted to look their best and flaunt their figure.

The sexy cheongsam is a perfect fit for the reunion dinner among teenagers up to women in their 30s.

"The cheongsam is stylish and eye-catching, and the person wearing it is bound to be the centre of attention," she said at the outlet in KSL City shopping mall here.

The cheongsam, priced from RM70 (S$28.44) to RM200, come in different sizes and in a variety of colours including black, white and cream.

Besides asking for figure-hugging and revealing designs, customers also request that the hem be shortened as well.

"They usually want to take two or three inches off," she said, adding that youth nowadays no longer wore the traditional red.

"They want to stand out from the rest and, contrary to tradition, the black ones with red flowers are the more popular choice this year as it makes the wearer look slimmer," she said.

Lok, who has been selling cheongsam for the past 10 years, said that she bought them from China and Thailand.