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I like your idea of vintage chinoiserie - I myself am struggling with matching Chinese restaurant decor to my own sense of style.
Aren't silhouettes from the 20's and 30's more slim and sheathlike (like the qipao) anyways? I don't think you necessarily have to mimic the qipao's structure, especially if your bridesmaids are wearing non-traditional qipaos and you're going to change into actual qipao(s) later, but I would agree that voluminous or European-princess looks would be incongruous.
So... following that line of reasoning I would suggest a sheath dress or something more 'classic'... BUT being Asian myself and having tried on sheath dresses, I have to say the typical slim curveless Asian body does not pull off the body-clinging sheath look as well as someone who has curves. I mean, it looks good on thin models, but I think we're used to models looking relatively androgynous. All I know is, those 30's-style dresses I thought I'd love looked like crap on me. I think it's hard enough to find a dress that you really love without coming in with tons of pre-conceived ideas about what styles you MUST have. So I would actually suggest just trying things on, see what you like, and work your dress 'likes' towards your theme instead of the other way around.
I like your theme idea, but I would consider wearing a traditional white wedding dress at your ceremony, and then changing into your qipao during the reception. I don't think it's absolutely necessary to carry the theme throughout the entire wedding. That way, you can incorporate "Western" traditions with your "Eastern" roots. Here is a pic of bridesmaids wearing qipaos at a wedding I attended recently.
Thanks ladies! I think I'm going to try to find a sheath or trumpet shaped dress that is vintage inspired. I actually have a different problem than bug does because I'm a curvy girl and I need to lose 20 lbs. So the flapper style dresses don't work for me either because they're too clingy. I started wedding dress shopping two weeks ago but I've been taking a break this week because I don't want to get over shopped.
If I may vent a little-- this big fat Chinese wedding is pretty overwhelming. My bff is getting married 3 weeks after I am, I feel like we're spending so much money (at least 300 guests!) but still doing it "cheap" by doing a Chinese banquet instead of a Western reception hall. so coming up with this theme has been the most fun we've had in a while.
I just need to find my dress!!
Ooh, I love that bridesmaid look, ddubz!
@ engdom - Good luck with dress hunting, I thought that was the most fun part of the wedding planning. Least fun part? Trying to deal with the Chinese restaurant manager who prefers to speak Chinese, doesn't answer emails or phone calls, and gives us cryptic questionnaires mostly in Chinese. (Neither me or my boyfriend read Chinese, and he only understands basic Cantonese.) So, I feel some of your pain in this Chinese wedding thing... at least the banquet food will be awesome!
I like your inspiration board! You should check out Claire Pettibone's "Cherry Blossom" collection. The dresses are absolutely beautiful! Many of them are asian-inspired. I think one of these would look beautiful with the theme you are going for. They are slim dresses but you don't have to be a stick to wear some of the styles. Besides, don't let anyone tell you that you have to lose weight for your wedding! Your fiance loves you now for a reason, because you are beautiful now! I say if you want to lose weight do it for long term health and not just for a silly dress. :) Anyway, I just love this designer, the lace, fabrics and embroidery she uses are just stunning in person (and in the photos)!
what about these styles?
sheath_2.jpg (130.1 KB, 67 downloads) 1 year old 8f6db5917d543161c29b820c025230d0_m.jpg (22.7 KB, 79 downloads) 1 year old
Engdom: I'm in the EXACT same predicament as yourself. Also going for a vintage Shanghai themed wedding in an attempt to incorporate chinese elements into our western venue. My bridesmaids will be wearing QiPao's during the tea ceremony then change into dresses for our reception. My inspiration board is similar to yours and I just found my dress! I'm curvy like yourself and fell in love with a lace, sweetheart neckline, trumpet wedding dress. It definitely speaks vintage. I think if you go with anything that looks great on you and perhaps with a touch of lace...it'll tie together. Have you found your dress yet?
Engdom: I'm in the EXACT same predicament as yourself. Also going for a vintage Shanghai themed wedding in an attempt to incorporate chinese elements into our western venue. My bridesmaids will be wearing QiPao's during the tea ceremony then change into dresses for our reception. My inspiration board is similar to yours and I just found my dress! I'm curvy like yourself and fell in love with a lace, sweetheart neckline, trumpet wedding dress. It definitely speaks vintage. I think if you go with anything that looks great on you and perhaps with a touch of lace...it'll tie together. Have you found your dress yet?
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Hey fellow E. Asian brides! Our families would prefer a Chinese banquet, which isn't my preference because it's so hard to customize and decorate. But I've decided to go ahead and embrace the Chineseyness and go for it with a Chinoiserie/vintage Shanghai theme. My bridesmaids are wearing modified qipao (their choice of neckline, below the knee hemline).
But the question is, what the heck do I wear? I'd prefer not to wear a qipao because we're having a church wedding. I will change into a qipao or two later.
I've attached my inspiration board but we've deviated a little from that. I've also attached the fabric I've chosen for the bridesmaids.
Since we've been inspired by Shanghai in the 20's and 30's, I'm thinking something Ginger Rogers-esque. . . but then I was thinking maybe I should mimic the qipao's sheath form and structured shape and fabric.
Any advice please! and if you can find me photos of bridesmaids in qipao I'd love that too.
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