Vietnamese Traditional Clothing: Áo Dài 101
Without getting too deep with the history of the Vietnamese áo dài, Wiki pretty much summed it up: The áo dài evolved from a five-paneled aristocratic garment worn in the 19th & 20th century court. In the1920s & 1930s, though, the silhouette of the áo dài starts to take shape of the design that is most recognized today. By the 1950s, the loose fitting áo dài style gave way to a tighter fit and remained that way well into the 1960s & 1970s.
From a previous post, I describe the Vietnamese Áo Dài as an alluring silhouette that elongates the body and accentuates the waist. It is globally recognized by its tunic silhouette with two high, side slits and worn with loose, wide-leg pants. The dress is worn for many occasions, but the more elaborate and luxe the áo dài, the more special the occasion. Consider these ornate details straight from the runway of Viet Fashion Week 2016:
See Jacky Tai’s full runway collection here and Son Collection here.
To better understand the construction of an áo dài, I love a visual aid! Below is a breakdown of its components:
Image: Tran The Vinh
Clockwise from the top:
- Khuy cổ: collar button
- Cổ áo: collar
- Đường may: seam
- Ống tay: sleeve
- Kích (eo): waist
- Tà trước: front flap
- Tà sau: back flap
- Nút móc kết thúc: main hook and hole
- Đường bên: inside seam
- Ống tay: sleeve
- Nút bấm thân áo: hooks used as fasteners and holes
When planning a Vietnamese Wedding, a Bride or Bridesmaid may need assistance in measuring for an áo dài. The measuring guide below could definitely come in handy.
Image: ABC Ao Zai
To ensure accuracy, have measurements done by a professional tailor. And be sure he or she measures using the metric system.
Need more 101 notes or áo dài inspo? Matron of Style has got you covered! Visit us on Pinterest or contact me directly with style questions. I’d love to connect with you!