The beauty of women dressed in “Ao Dai” always leaves a deep
impression on foreign visitors to Vietnam. Girl students dressed
in white long robes take to streets on the way to schools or
back home, or gracefully sail on their bikes along streets.
Female secretaries in delicate pastels greet you at an office
door and older ladies in deep shades of purple, green or blue
cut a striking pose at a restaurant dinner. The “Ao Dai” appears
to flatter every figure.
Early versions of the “Ao Dai”date back to 1744 when Lord Vu
Vuong of the Nguyen Dynasty decreed both men and women should
wear an ensemble of trousers and a gown that buttoned down the
front. However, not until 1930 did “Ao Dai”appear partly similar
to its look today. Now, Men wear it less, generally only on
ceremonial occasions such as weddings or funerals. During the
1950s two tailors in Saigon started producing “Ao Dai” with
raglan sleeves. This creates a diagonal seam running from the
collar to the underarm and this style is still preferred today
“Ao Dai” is made individually to fit each customer's shape to
create the most graceful look. Its body-hugging top flows over
wide trousers that brush the floor. The pants should reach the
soles of the feet and flow along the floor. Splits in the gown
extend well above waist height and make it comfortable and easy
to move in.
Comfortableness is always taken into account for fashions and
beauty. Tailoring must ensure the wearer's freedom of movements.
Despite it is a long robe, “Ao Dai” must be cool to wear.
Synthetic or silk fabrics are preferred as they do not crush and
are quick drying, making the “Ao Dai” a practical uniform for
daily wear.
The color is indicative of the wearer's age and status. Young
girls wear pure white, fully-lined outfits symbolizing their
purity. Older but unmarried girls move into soft pastel shades.
Only married women wear “Ao Dai” in strong, rich colors, usually
over white or black pants. However, “Ao Dai” is rarely seen in
places where manual work is practiced. The nineties saw a real
resurgence of Ao Dai. It has become standard and common attire
for girl students as well as female staff at offices and hotels.
Traditionally, “Ao Dai” has become the most preferred dress on
formal occasions.
Today, “Ao Dai” has been a bit modified. Its length is cut
shorter usually just below the knee. Variations in the neck,
between boat and mandarin style, are common. And even
adventurous alterations such as a low scooped neckline, puffed
sleeves or off the shoulder designs are appearing as ladies
experiment with fashion. Color patterns are no longer rigidly
controlled and accesses to new fabrics having generated some
dazzling results. However, most visitors to Vietnam have highly
appreciated local tailors' skills when making Ao Dai. It is hard
to think of a more elegant, demure and charming outfit, that
suits Vietnamese women of different ages, than Ao Dai.(Vietnam
beauty)
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