Many foreigners travel to Vietnam and interested in the charming of Ao Dai and would like to have one in their wardrobe. Today I’ll show you how to have a perfect Ao Dai when visiting Vietnam.
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| Photo by Hưng Hồ Bá |
Choose the material carefully
The first things you should notice is to pick up the suitable fabric for your costume. People usually use chiffon, silk or lace to make Ao Dai because of its light and femininity. However, for cold weather or elderly people, velvet fabric is a good choice.
Colours is also an important element. Due to your skin tone and your body shape, you should choose the color that fit. White skin tone can fit with any colors, while darker skin tone should go with yellow, brown, Bordeaux, etc. If you have an overweight body, should choose dark colors with light fabric to make a feeling of a slimmer shape.
Decorations for Ao Dai is also important. If you choose lace, better don’t have many decorations because it decorated itself. Floral print is also a good choice and the price is more reasonable. Else, for more sophistication, hand embroidered is an upgrade level.
If you find it’s hard to choose, just tell the tailor and they will give you great advice.
Must be tailor made
Like other formal costumes, Ao Dai must be tailor made to be perfect. Don’t ever buy the Ao Dai in the shop just because you like it, even if you’re a model. Remember that it is made to fit with your shape and highlight your body curves, so if you would like to have a true beauty Ao Dai, please spend your time to go to a tailor shop.
Where and how long?
The best place to have a perfect Ao Dai is Hue – the charming old city in central of Vietnam. My Dad said to me that woman in this city had 22 Ao Dai in their wardrobe. Maybe he blew it up a bit, but I’m sure that now they have average 4-5 Ao Dai to wear in each special celebration. The price for tailoring in this city is also cheapest. However, there are also some good tailor shop in Hoi An, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city for you if you don’t have enough time to go to Hue. The shops can make your Ao Dai in from 24 hours up to 2-3 days or more (due to the decorations you choose) and they have shipping service all over Vietnam.
Ao Dai is a Vietnamese traditional costume that can symbolize the essence of Vietnamese people and life. Although the globalization and adaption of both economy and culture keep spreading out, Ao Dai remains the same value that cannot be faded. It is at the same time a symbol and a storyteller being side with this country to behold all the priceless moments of history. Anyone who loves fashion should give Ao Dai a try when visiting Vietnam because it is a great souvenir from a trip to Vietnam.
