General care:
Most of the time, the Qipao / Cheongsam looks better when they fit your body shape nicely. Additionally, a good quality your Qipao / Cheongsam is usually made from better quality fabric such as silk. Added to this, an exquisite piece of Qipao / Cheongsam is usually adorned with delicate hand-sewn embroidery, not forgetting the sequins that come along with it.
All these add the cost of owning a good piece of Qipao / Cheongsam.
As such, it is important to take good care of your Qipao / Cheongsam, especially if you want to store them for a long time.
You might wear them once in a lifetime, but it is still worth preserving the value and quality of the dress in its prime condition.
High quality Qipao / Cheongsam are made of good, but sensitive fabrics. Therefore you should be careful when wearing a Qipao / Cheongsam. Stains can be difficult to remove and you should try to avoid them. You must also avoid fabric coming in contact with rough or sharp objects, which can hook the fine weave and cause dulling or frayed threads.
Laundry / cleaning / iron:
The nature of the fabric, the embroidery work and the embellishments that go into the making of the Qipao / Cheongsam do not allow room for roughness. Hence, it is definitely not recommended to machine wash your Qipao / Cheongsam. They won’t be able to withstand the harsh tumble and spinning of the washing machine and dryer.
You might even end up having the bright colour dull off or frays coming out from the threads that will shorten the life of the dress itself.
Therefore Qipao / Cheongsam should be hand-washed or dry cleaned. In general dry cleaning is recommended, since laundering detergent and dyes in other clothes may affect fabric adversely. When washing, always avoid strong detergents and gently wash by hand if possible. Chlorine bleach should never be used.
Ironing is fine regardless of fabric.
Storage:
- When not wearing, hang the dress with a clothes hanger and keep them ventilated.
- When storing, it shall be cleaned without camphor pills. The boxes and cabinets for storing clothes shall be kept clean and sealed as far as possible to prevent dust pollution.
Brocade Fabric
Brocade is the most traditional type of fabric found in Chinese clothing and is widely used to make high-quality qipaos. In ancient China, wearing brocade dresses was a symbol of wealth and nobility. Even in modern times, a brocade qipao is one of the most popular styles of Chinese dresses.
Brocade fabric is a strong woven fabric with a rich and draping style. It usually has elaborate patterned designs featuring auspicious symbols (dragons, phoenixes, cherry blossoms, etc.) with gold and silver threads. Many brocade qipaos are also paired with intricate pankou knots (frog buttons).
Pros: Sturdy, colorful, stunning patterns
Cons: Stiffer and doesn’t have much stretch
Style: The rich and traditional brocade fabric is perfect for a luxurious formal autumn or winter outfit.
Cleaning and care: Brocade dresses are best dry cleaned or hand wash in cold water with a delicate detergent. Dry naturally in the shade. After washing, it can be gently squeezed to remove water. It is not allowed to twist vigorously or dehydrate with a machine. Ironing is not suitable for high temperature and direct ironing. Ironing can be done by dry ironing on the reverse side or ironing with a cloth.
Chiffon Fabric
Chiffon is light and translucent. It has good formability and is rich in colors. Even though it has a sheer look, Chiffon is a strong fabric that can hold embroideries very well. Floral embroideries are usually very vivid and lively. With all these unique features, Chiffon qipaos can emphasize the feminine and ethereal beauty of a woman.
Pros: Diaphanous, pairs well with vivid embroideries
Cons: Stiffer, not as comfortable to the skin. It usually needs to have a layer of lining inside the dress.
Style: The lightweight and airy fabric is suitable for people who like to have an ethereal look.
Cleaning and Care: Soaking and hand washing in warm water is the safest way to clean organza dresses. Hang dry do not wring.
Cotton / Cotton-Linen Fabric
Cotton might be the most popular material for casual qipaos. Many people choose cotton qipaos because of its durability. In addition, cotton fabric is absorbent, breathable, and soft to touch. Qipaos made in cotton are simple but still elegant.
For young people who advocate natural comfort and fashion, it is also a good choice to buy cotton and linen fabrics.
Pros: Durable, breathable and soft
Cons: Can wrinkle and shrink easily
Style: Cotton / Linen qipaos are often worn in everyday life or for casual events, but it’s suitable for many occasions. Its absorbance and breathability make it an ideal material for the summer.
Cleaning and Care: Most cotton / Linen dresses are machine washable. Use cold or warm water to wash to prevent it from color fading and shrinking. Hang to dry to avoid shrinkage.
Lace Fabric
Lace is often used as an overlay material in modern qipaos. Lace fabric helps give qipao dresses a light and open feel with a touch of elegant romance.
Pros: Soft, light and airy
Cons: Fragile and transparent
Style: Lace is the perfect choice for a summer qipao wedding dress.
Cleaning and care: Dry clean or wash in cold/warm water with gentle laundry detergent. Dry naturally and avoid hot ironing.
Silk Fabric
Silk is a luxurious fabric type for qipao dresses that is known for its smooth and soft texture. Many elegant qipaos are made with silk. Since silk is glossy and can be dyed easily, silk qipaos can often come in various colors.
Pros: Soft and smooth, absorbent
Cons: Very delicate, easy to wrinkle and snag
Style: Silk qipaos are perfect for people who want a sophisticated look
Cleaning and care: Dry clean or use delicate detergent to hand wash silk dresses in cold water. Avoid soaking silk dresses in water for a long time. No bleaching or wringing.
Velvet Fabric
Velvet is a type of stretchy fabric that is usually made from cotton, silk, or rayon. It has small fluff on the surface with a smooth and soft texture. The shinny and fuzzy surface give it a feeling of luxury and nobility. Velvet qipaos are lightweight but warm and are commonly worn in the fall or winter.
Pros: Light but has volume; very soft and drapes well
Cons: Dust absorbent, difficult to clean
Style: Elegant and sumptuous winter qipaos that can complement your figure
Cleaning and Care: For most velvet dresses, dry cleaning is recommended. Hang on a padded hanger to dry in the shade and never use a dryer. If your velvet dress needs to be ironed, use a steamer.