There’s no better time to wear a cheongsam than during the Lunar New Year festivities, and while an elegantly-tailored cheongsam can transform your figure and the way you carry yourself, it sometimes bears the burden of looking too traditional and stiff. Plus, because of how lean traditional cheongsams are cut, it doesn’t leave a lot of space for the pineapple tarts and the steamboat dinners.
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Mandy likes to look trendy, and much like many young professionals her age, she wants to look her best during the Chinese New Year celebrations without looking like she borrowed from her mum. This year, Mandy wants to try and wear a cheongsam without losing her personality and sacrificing comfort. Because of this, we have hooked her up with some outfits from The Missing Piece. The Missing Piece is a local label we love, because they marry tradition with forward-thinking design. Each dress is cut to flatter the wearer’s figure and give her confidence as she wears it.
Watch this video to see how we’ve helped Mandy dress up for her Chinese New Year parties:
Videography: Angela Guo / Fashion styling: Aaron Kok, assisted by Juliet Suen / Art direction: Xu Mei Yan / Hair & Makeup: Hong Ling, using NARS / All clothes by The Missing Piece.
This post first appeared on 16th January 2019.
Bright colours are guaranteed to get you into your in-laws’ good books. Retaining the mandarin collar for a traditional touch, this cobalt blue design provides you with a strong, bright colour to ring in the new year. Plus, the added belt helps define your waist as well
This checkered cheongsam design is a great way to wear something that looks a little retro, without looking old. Featuring delicate design details such as a scalloped collar and jade buttons, you’re guaranteed to be the best-dressed in the room when wearing this pastel-hued design.
Inspired by the intricate illustrations of Ming vases, this cheongsam offers a modernised take on its traditional reference point. Pair this with simple white flats and statement gold jewellery to finish.
Take a youthful approach to your CNY dressing by opting for a romper instead. It’s comfortable, allows you to move freely and makes your legs appear longer! Plus, the mandarin influences in this design will also score you brownie points with the older folks in the family.
With its kicky skirt and the cut-outs flanking each side, this cheongsam provides a youthful option for women who want to pay homage to tradition without looking stuffy.
Where most people think of florals as the most common pattern for cheongsams, this design veers the other way with a graphic houndstooth magnified across the cheongsam. The gold piping adds a point of contrast and breaks up the monotony of the black and white checks.
Looking for something that’s versatile, lightweight and inspired by our tropical weather? Consider this deep emerald piece that comes complete with bold foliage leaves and bamboo buttons.
Undeniably feminine, this lacy design comes with a fluted hem and an embroidered patch on the side. It’s pretty without being too saccharine, and easy to wear and wash after.
Mixing prints isn’t something you’d think would happen very much in cheongsams, which is why this Lark and Pony design is a welcome breath of fresh air. The graphic dots provides a beautiful counterpoint to the more ethnic gingko leaves, and the whole look feels and looks younger.
Bold stripes makes this design look fun and easy to pull off, especially when you pair it with white sneakers and a cool crossbody bag.
If you’re not comfortable wearing a bold print, opt for a sweet pastel colour with interesting fabric inserts to add some texture to your outfit. This kicky design feels fresh, flirty and you can wear it beyond CNY.
A mini dress might attract frowns from the older generations, but perhaps the cheongsam cutting of this design might get you through the door. The graphic black and white also help to add visual interest to your look, while playing the perfect backdrop for your accessories.
Bring a sense of wander with you wherever you go this CNY with a cheongsam that features a magnificent print of an Italian coastal town. Furthermore, the added ribbon sash helps to give you the illusion of a smaller waist!
The colour-blocked panels help to create an hourglass figure for you, so you can skip the uncomfortable shapewear and use this visual illusion to help you appear slimmer.
Get playful in an A-line bubblegum pink cheongsam, and use the simplicity of this design to spotlight some of your favourite jewellery. The subtle floral detailing around the collar means you can skip the complicated necklaces and stick to a simple matching earring-bracelet pairing instead.