Vietnamese Women’s Formalwear: Ao Dai

Ao dai (pronounced ow yai) is a Vietnamese dress worn during special occasions. Traditional Vietnamese womens’ formal-wear is both classic and fashion forward. The dress pattern stays consistently the same–a high collar, long sleeves, floor-length, high slits, and flowy pants. It is the norm for Vietnamese women to custom order special fabrics and designs when they work with an ao dai designer. The silhouette is meant to celebrate the feminine body, as it ties into Vietnamese nationalism.

These dresses can be worn at parties, national events celebrating Vietnam, and at weddings. At weddings, brides wear red wedding ao dai dresses to ensure luck in their marriage. Westernized Vietnamese brides choose to wear a white gown during the ceremony, while donning the ao dai for the reception.

{Vietnamese Ao Dai couture designer Calvin Hyp}

{Custom Vietnamese wedding dresses from Ao Dai Styles}

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