Qipao Dress
When it comes to the style that best represents us women, it must be the New Chinese style.
Among all its graceful elements, one piece stands out — the qipao.
In recent years, as celebrities and TV shows have brought it back into the spotlight, the qipao has once again awakened every Chinese woman’s deep admiration and nostalgic affection for this timeless dress.
As the poem “Ode to the Qipao Beauty” beautifully describes:
“Leaning by the table, her graceful shadow lingers;
in a rose-colored qipao, she shines like embroidered silk.
Her jade-like grace and gentle poise glow with elegance,
her bright eyes carry endless affection.
Every step she takes exudes charm,
every glance she casts stirs the heart.”
It feels as if the moment a woman slips into a qipao, every move and every glance becomes the embodiment of timeless elegance.
But in reality, the qipao is a dress that truly “tests its wearer.”
Especially for someone like me — with a short neck, a once-square jawline, a straight H-shaped figure, and a face that leans more toward modern chic — making a qipao look flattering feels almost like a mission impossible.
I still remember my very first qipao — a coming-of-age gift from my best friend on my eighteenth birthday.
However, once I put it on, instead of looking like an elegant lady from the Republic era, I appeared rather broad-shouldered and ungraceful.
Even four years later, when I tried it on again before my college graduation, I could only sigh and put it back in the closet.
As a result, for many years, I simply couldn’t gather the courage to try on a qipao again.
But in recent years, as more and more of my followers have asked me to share qipao styling tips, I decided to face the challenge once more — and give it another try!
After buying ten and returning five, I finally managed to pick out six qipaos that are relatively easy to wear, have great designs, and—most importantly—are affordable, making them perfect for beginners.
This was actually the second-to-last qipao I received for this review.
Just when I was feeling utterly disappointed—after ordering several qipaos that cost hundreds, even thousands, only to find them looking like shabby rags in person—this one gave me a glimmer of hope.
What first caught my eye was its refreshing grass-green tie-dye pattern.
The moment I put it on, I could almost feel the breath of nature—the lightness and airy freshness that green brings.
When I wore this qipao to shoot at Haizhu Cultural Palace, I even received compliments from several older ladies passing by.
Perhaps it’s because the New Chinese style will always hold a unique charm in the hearts of our people—something that transcends trends and time.
It’s a quiet kind of cultural confidence, one that comes from within and has nothing to do with body shape or appearance.
Moreover, compared to traditional qipaos, it does away with intricate frog buttons and overly luxurious satin fabrics.
It keeps only a simple neckline, a modestly slit hem, and the unpretentious linen material, making it not only more breathable but also perfectly suited for everyday wear in terms of design and comfort.
On the day of the shoot, the temperature in Guangzhou was close to 35°C, but the moment I put on this qipao for the outdoor shoot, it felt as if my body temperature had dropped by at least 5°C.
This is probably thanks to the perfect combination of 55% cotton and 45% linen, two naturally breathable fabrics.
For the fit, I chose size S, which corresponds to measurements of 88-70-96 cm.
For someone like me, an H-shaped figure whose waist has slightly increased to 67–68 cm due to pregnancy, and with a small baby bump, the overall fit is still quite comfortable and flattering.
The neckline and collar height are also quite moderate, which makes it more forgiving for someone like me with a slightly thicker neck.
With its sleeve design falling between sleeveless and cap sleeves, it highlights the lines of the arms and creates a neat silhouette without making them appear overly broad.
The moment I first received it, I thought, “Is this really a qipao?”
I had expected it to come with a blue inner lining like in the model photos, but in reality, it was just a single piece. Wearing it alone felt like… wearing it without any pants!
But the tie-dye blue is genuinely quite beautiful, and the fabric is incredibly light and breathable. I just had to pair it with a white cotton-linen pant from home.
Surprisingly, the combination actually worked out quite well.
Unlike the vibrant, spring-like green, the blue gives off a cooler, more serene vibe.
Paired with the large areas of apricot-white background, it also makes the wearer’s skin look brighter.
The negative space, like in a traditional ink painting, gives the entire dress a sense of calm and Zen.
The blue frog buttons at the chest, resembling tiny gemstones, further enhance the elegance of the qipao.
Although the fabric is 100% polyester, it’s lightweight, drapes beautifully, and is easy to care for.
Even in temperatures above 30°C, it never feels stifling or uncomfortable to wear.
At this point, I can’t help but reflect once again: “It’s not that only natural fabrics are good—synthetics have their own advantages too.”
Beautiful, practical, breathable, and easy to care for—these are the reasons I ultimately decided to keep it.
If you’re interested in exploring more, you can check out our full collection of Qipao and find the perfect piece to match your style and occasion.
The next qipao is probably the closest to a traditional style in this review.
It features a very elegant cream-apricot vertical stripe, which is stylish without being overpowering, leaving all the highlights to the store’s specialty—the perfectly tailored silhouette.
I remember the first time I wore it to the office. One of my colleagues caught a glimpse of my back and couldn’t help but ask, “Lala, did you… pad your butt?”
I swear, I really didn’t.
So I quickly hugged this dress to my body—its waist-to-hip ratio effect was so flattering that you would never guess I’m three months pregnant with an H-shaped figure.
On the day of the shoot, a light rain fell, and holding an umbrella, I felt like a delicate lady by a misty lake in Jiangnan during a rainy season.
I think the flattering fit of this dress comes from how well its measurements align with my body.
Especially around the hips—it has natural curves without looking flat, and the subtle pleats prevent it from clinging too tightly, avoiding any awkwardness.
With enough room at the hips, it naturally enhances the waist-to-hip ratio.
This makes it one of the qipaos in this review that’s particularly suitable for pear-shaped figures.
If you’re looking for a high-quality qipao suitable for attending important occasions, I think this one is an excellent choice.
After trying on a bunch of qipaos, I realized that the closer a qipao is to the traditional style, the more it highlights a woman’s elegance and grace.
However, when it comes to everyday wearability, the ones that feel truly comfortable on the body are the modernized, improved versions.
I also found that for someone like me—with a face that isn’t particularly narrow or delicate, and a figure that isn’t curvy—the modernized styles fit better.
Among these improved designs, the mid-length, one-piece sleeves do the best job of flattering the arms while maintaining a more modest, understated look.
The asymmetrical diagonal front with double-breasted waist cinching, combined with the generous volume of the sleeves, helps to enhance and shape the body’s natural curves.
The cut-out neckline also helps to elongate and open up the shoulders and neck line.
Perhaps this more modern design lacks some of the classical charm of traditional Eastern femininity, but in return, it offers much greater body-friendliness.
Even worn as an everyday dress, it feels completely natural—whether for commuting to work or going out with friends after hours.
Most importantly, it’s made of 60% imported triacetate fiber. The combination of high-quality fabric and jacquard detailing that highlights texture greatly enhances the dress’s depth and premium feel.
When worn, it feels delicate and elegant, while also offering practical benefits like wrinkle resistance, good drape, breathability, and easy care.
This one shares many similarities with the previous Xijia piece, both in terms of fabric and design.
The price difference between the two is minimal, making them a good pair for comparison.
As a best-selling item with over 2,000 sales, the store has truly nailed the fit and design details on both pieces.
It still features the double-breasted design with mid-length sleeves, which is truly perfect for those who don’t have a defined waist.
The neckline is simplified, seamlessly incorporating a V-neck that flatters the neck and shoulders into the New Chinese style.
You could say it scores full marks for body compatibility.
The oversized sleeves that extend past the elbows add an extra touch of ethereal elegance.
They float gracefully and are very forgiving for those with fuller arms.
In addition, with a fabric composition of 75% acetate, this piece offers better value for money compared to the previous one.
The last one is the most in line with my personal style—an ultra-modern qipao.
I even wore it straight to a bar for dancing the very day I received it…
It’s from one of my favorite brands, Zhizhi.
Completely different from the delicate and understated styles before, this qipao hides a touch of rebellious, trendy girl energy in both its color and design.
I really love this base color—it looks simple and elegant at first glance, yet every detail hides a subtle intrigue.
The jacquard fabric with a custom logo ensures that the black isn’t just plain black; it also has texture and depth.
The slit at the hem is adorned with delicate, tiny beads, instantly adding a highlight to the dress.
The neckline features a metal clasp that can be easily undone, which came in handy that night at the bar when it got a bit stuffy—without affecting the overall look at all.
Most importantly, the intense black color combined with the pleated design at the waist is incredibly slimming!
It’s truly a miracle piece for someone like me—a little pregnant—helping to conceal the bump effortlessly.
Overall, this is a modernized qipao that is practical enough for both everyday wear and special occasions, and versatile in style—ranging from New Chinese elegance to modern, trendy chic.
It’s especially suitable for petite women who want to express a touch of individuality.
In conclusion, after trying and reviewing a variety of qipaos, it’s clear that whether you prefer traditional elegance, modernized practicality, or trendy chic, there’s a style to suit every woman. From lightweight and breathable fabrics to flattering silhouettes and thoughtful details, these pieces make it easy to feel confident and stylish, whether for everyday wear, work, or special occasions.
If you’re interested in exploring more, you can check out our full collection of Qipao and find the perfect piece to match your style and occasion.
