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Frequently Asked Questions About ADVERTISEMENT

Chinese Wedding Dresses and

Attire, Plus Tips for a Modern Take
From traditional to contemporary and personalized, here's what
you should know about Chinese wedding fashion.

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by Hannah Nowack Updated Nov 19, 2021

With most wedding elements there's a traditional way things have always
been done and a modern take that draws inspiration from heritage but also
imbues personality and contemporary vibes into tradition. That's
especially true when it comes to fashion, and Chinese wedding dresses and
attire in particular. Historically, couples have worn a red qipao, cheongsam
or tang outfit. These days, however, couples, especially in the States, may
choose to wear multiple outfits to more fully express themselves or even
customize one look so it feels like an authentic representation of them.

Couples should always feel empowered to make their wedding, and

wedding fashion, their own. But honoring your roots and the heritage that
made you who you are is likely part of that. As such, it's important for
modern couples to have an understanding of fashion history that can help
inform the modern take they bring to their wedding fashion choices. Let
these frequently asked questions and need-to-know tips help you along
the wedding planning process.

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15 Traditions Commonly Seen in Chinese Wedding

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What do couples often wear to traditional

Chinese weddings?
We're taking an in-depth look at what couples have historically worn when
tying the knot in a Chinese wedding. While looks may vary slightly, there
are a few common ensembles that are historically seen at Chinese
weddings.

Cheonsam vs. Qipao vs. Qun Kwa

Historically, in China, the style of ceremony dress has varied from region
to region, but typically, the bride's gown is red and features an
embroidered phoenix. For a northern Chinese bride, the wedding dress is
generally a long, form-fitting, one-piece gown called a qipao or cheongsam.
This collared Chinese wedding dress is often red with silver and gold
embroidery. "The term cheongsam and qipao both refer to the same style
of dress—a traditional form-fitting sheath dress featuring a Mandarin
collar," explains Jenn Qiao, co-founder of East Meets Dress, an Asian-
American brand for Chinese wedding dresses. "The term cheongsam
originated in the south while the term qipao is primarily used in the north."

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Meanwhile, a different style of dress that is common in southern China is

the qun kwa which is made of two pieces: a decorative jacket over a long,
embroidered skirt. This traditional Chinese wedding dress is usually
embroidered with both a dragon and a phoenix, giving the attire the
modern Chinese name of "dragon phoenix coat" or Long Feng Gua. Along
with the dragon and phoenix, you may see five bats embroidered on the
coat, too, which symbolize five blessings.

To accessorize their wedding qipao or qun kwa, many brides also

historically donned a tiara-like accessory made of gilded silver and
decorated with feathers and pearls to represent the phoenix. The
headpiece was historically also accompanied by a red silk veil.

Tang Suit

"The groom often wears a Tang Suit, which is typically a long sheath paired
with a jacket. The groom's jacket traditionally is also red and adorned with
dragon symbols, the counterpart to the bride's phoenix," explains Qiao.
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Why is red a common color for Chinese

wedding attire?
Beyond just wedding attire, red is an auspicious color in Chinese culture.
"In Chinese culture, the color red is synonymous with happiness, good
fortune, success and fertility. No wonder it's the most popular color for
Chinese wedding attire," says Qiao.

What should the wedding party wear to a M OST P OP U L A R ON T H E K N OT

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Dresses
Historically, Chinese couples didn't typically have wedding parties.
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However, many modern couples have chosen to adopt the practice of
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having close loved ones serve as wedding attendants. Since the practice of
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having bridesmaids and groomsmen isn't steeped in as deep of tradition as Neutral Formal Wear
to-be-wed attire is, the options for how to dress the wedding party are
nearly limitless. You could have bridesmaids each wear a qipao dress that's ADVERTISEMENT

red or that's a totally different color—the choice is all yours.

What should guests wear to a Chinese

wedding?
While red is the most common color for to-be-weds to wear at their own
wedding, guests should avoid the hue. "If you are attending a Chinese
wedding, wearing red is not recommended in most cases," advises Qiao.
"While the color red is auspicious in Chinese culture, it is typically
reserved for brides. Don't wear black or white either since those are
mourning colors in Chinese culture. Do wear warm-toned colors such as
purple or pinks, as these colors represent the new life the couple will
embark on."

Guests should also confirm that the outfit they plan to wear fits the
requested dress code for the event. Qiao reminds guests that "every
couple is different, however, so you can always check in with the couple to
learn of their preferences between choosing your outfit." Couples will
often put dress code information on their wedding invitations or wedding
website so check there before you finalize your attire plans.

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Where can you purchase Chinese wedding

dresses?
Historically, mothers in southern China would sew their daughter's
handmade wedding jacket, starting as soon as the child was born.
However, over time to-be-weds have more commonly moved toward
purchasing wedding attire. While there are plenty of brands to choose
from, to-be-weds may find it difficult to source Chinese wedding attire in
the United States. Cinobi is one brand known for their halter-style modern
wedding cheongsams, however, the brand is based in Indonesia and to-be-
weds hoping to wear an outfit from the brand should make sure to allow
ample time to source from them. Another Indonesia-based choice is
Adrian Gan, known for their creative colorways. Alternatively, California-
based East Meets Dress is a strong option for Stateside couples.

For to-be-weds who may want to wear a Western-style dress but still
support an Asian-American designer, brands like Tadashi Shoji, Phuong My,
Vera Wang, Miyuki Liem, JINZA, Jenny Yoo, Nordeen and Andrew Kwon
are great options to consider.

Purchasing an outfit in person is a great way to ensure that you're happy

with the look and it fits seamlessly into your wedding vision. However, if
that's not a possibility for you and you're hoping to source a dress from
online or overseas, make sure to allow ample time for the shopping and
alterations process.

How can couples personalize their Chinese

wedding attire?
Personalizing your look is a great way to ensure you feel your best on the
wedding day. And the options of what you can do for personalization are
limitless. From playing around with darker shades of red to bringing in
Chinese dress elements, like a Mandarin collor, to a Western-style dress,
there are plenty of ways to ensure the look you for your modern Chinese
wedding feels like you and represents the heritage that brought you to
where you are.

"Whether or not you decide to wear a traditional qipao or cheongsam, you

can still add an element of the cheongsam dress to your wedding attire,
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whether that's the iconic Mandarin collar or the pankou knots or even the
color red," says Qiao. She goes on to explain that "while red is the
traditional color worn at a wedding, brides can modernize their look by
choosing their own shade of red. Wine red, for example, is often a favorite
option for those who want to create a sophisticated evening look.
Additionally, Cheongsam capes are increasing in popularity—it's a great
way to complement an existing white wedding dress. Removable trains are
also becoming more popular as it allows the bride to create a stunning
look, while giving them the option to then continue with the festivities in
an outfit unencumbered by a long train." M OST P OP U L A R ON T H E K N OT

Accessories are another way you can make your wedding look feel like 50th Wedding Anniversary
Dresses
your own. "You can consider incorporating a part of your heritage within
your hair and jewelry accessories," says Qiao. "Consider adding a jade 15 Wedding Officiant Dresses to
Lead A Ceremony
hairpin, or a pankou knot hairpin set to complement your look."
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Modern Peach Cheongsam
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Kylee Yee Photography, Dress: Cinobi, Floral Design: Designs by Ahn, Beauty: Beautini,
Styling: Le Petite Privé

Instead of wearing a red cheongsam, this to-be-wed opted for a modern

cheongsam in a peach colorway.

Red Wedding Dress and Veil

Katherine Elyse Photography

This bride selected a ball gown as her wedding gown instead of a

traditional Chinese cheongsam. However, the vibrant red colorway was an
auspicious way to pay homage to her Chinese heritage.

Black Wedding Qipao

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Instead of the standard red colorway, this bride chose black for her
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modern Chinese qipao.
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Dark Red Wedding Qipao

Miho Aikawa, Dress: East Meets Dress

A shade that matches the flag of the People's Republic of China is generally
what to-be-weds opt for with Chinese wedding attire. However, this bride
instead went with a darker wine-hued red for her Chinese qipao.

White Dress With Cheongsam-Style Cape

Stacy Renee Yeager, Dress: East Meets Dress

The tulle cape with a Mandarin collar on this bridal gown paid homage to
traditional cheongsams. Meanwhile, the groom at this Indian-Chinese
fusion wedding opted for a traditional white sherwani.

Red Qipao Bridesmaid Dresses

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Although this bride wore a white Western wedding dress, she outfit her
wedding party in red qipao bridesmaid dresses.

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Instead of the traditional sheath silhouette seen in most cheongsams, this

bride opted for an A-line look for her bridal dress.

Red-and-White Qipao

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Most qipao designs are all red, but this bride blended Western and
Chinese style with her white-and-red design.

White Wedding Dress With Sweetheart Neckline and

Mandarin Collar