Sumptuous Silk
China is famous for its gorgeous silks. Many a Chinese bride has walked down the aisle in this wonderful fabric. Silk ranges from a shiny to a matte and somewhat "nubby" appearance. You can achieve a variety of looks depending upon the exact type of silk you choose.
Be aware that silk can be more expensive than some other fabrics. If you're counting on wearing this material for your wedding dress, make sure you budget for it. If you just can't fit silk into your wedding expenses, go for cotton, another Chinese favorite. Polyester blends are also popular and can fool the eye without tipping your budget.
Add Some Embroidery
Another traditionally Chinese decoration is embroidery. Look for embroidered touches for your gown. If you're planning on wearing all white, you can still achieve an Asian look with the right embroidered background or border.
Choosing Your Color
One versatile aspect to choosing a Chinese wedding dress is that it can be virtually any color you desire. Go for deep or bold colors, such as true red, sky or midnight blue, or cheerful yellow.
You can also select a multicolored dress. Pair two colors that you wouldn't normally think of going together, but which are found in traditional Chinese fashion: red with yellow, for example.
Just Your Style
Like any culture, Chinese fashion has changed quite a bit over the years. This leaves your choices wide open for an Asian-look dress.
The cheongsam, also known as the qipao, is a very traditional female garment. This gorgeous dress features a high neck and close-fitting bodice area and skirt. The sleeves can be short, medium or long, so you can easily suit your gown to the time of year.
You can update your cheongsam by going sleeveless or choosing a halter top style. A keyhole neckline is also exquisite on this type of gown. The cheongsam also looks feminine in a shorter length hem.
Even more ancient than the cheongsam is the pien-fu, a two-piece garment with very wide sleeves, a knee-length tunic and a floor length skirt or trousers.
For a third option, try a shen-i. The shen-i is a cross between the cheongsam and the pien-fu, with the top and bottom sections sewn together to form a one-piece garment. The shen-i, which pairs practicality with tradition, was typically the most commonly worn ceremonial garment of the three. You can update any of these looks or do your research to come as close as possible to tradition.
Head Wear
Don't forget the hair! Top your gorgeous Chinese wedding dress with head decorations to match. Hair sticks, usually painted with enamel for a glossy look, are easier to use than they look; do an internet search to find instructions on how to insert them.
Also popular from ancient times to the present day are decorative combs. You can pair Western culture with Asian beauty by having a short white veil sewn onto a hair comb and inserting it into the back of your hair or bun.
Have fun with your look. Your Chinese wedding dress gives you plenty of choices in color, cut and style. This is one look guaranteed to turn heads on your special day.