Qipao & Cheongsam in Melbourne
If you want a qipao in Melbourne that you can try on before you buy, we have one in the shop: a silk-mix qipao in twelve prints, sizes L to 3XL, from $219. This page tells you what the dress is like, which size to choose, and which print suits which occasion. If you would rather check the fit in person, we are in The Glen shopping centre in Glen Waverley, and you are welcome to come in or ring first.
The dress at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Silk Mix Qipao Cheongsam |
| Cut | Close to the body, mandarin collar, traditional side slits |
| Fabric | Soft silk blend (silk mix) |
| Prints | Twelve (listed below) |
| Sizes | L, XL, XXL, 3XL (these run two sizes smaller than regular clothing) |
| Price | $229 in nine prints; $219 in Red Blossom, Burgundy Peony and Red Lace. Checked on 23 October 2026, so please look at the product page for today's price. |
| Care | Follow the care label sewn into the dress |
"Qipao" is the Mandarin word and "cheongsam" the Cantonese one. They are the same dress, and we use both so that you can find us under either name.
It is a modern cheongsam in the plain sense that the cut is clean and the silk blend is soft rather than stiff, so it can go to a dinner or a wedding without looking like fancy dress.
Which size? Start here
Our qipao run two sizes smaller than regular clothing. Find your usual size on the left.
| Your usual size | Choose qipao size |
|---|---|
| S | L |
| M | XL |
| L | XXL |
| XL | 3XL |
Then check it against the measurements (centimetres), which are the better guide:
| Size | Bust | Waist | Hips | Shoulder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | 88 | 72 | 90 | 38 |
| XL | 92 | 76 | 96 | 39 |
| XXL | 97 | 80 | 100 | 40 |
| 3XL | 102 | 84 | 104 | 41 |
How to measure yourself. Wear thin clothing and stand relaxed. Measure around the fullest part of your bust, around your natural waist (the narrowest point), and around the fullest part of your hips, keeping the tape level and snug but not tight. Compare these three numbers with the table. In a close cut, bust and hips matter more than shoulder width.
A qipao is meant to sit close to the body without pulling. If you fall between two sizes, we suggest the larger one.
If your measurements sit outside this range, ring us or send your measurements through the contact page and we will tell you plainly what we have.
Which print for which occasion
These are our suggestions, not rules. Prints often look different in daylight than on a phone screen, which is one more reason to see them in the shop.
| Occasion | Prints to look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lunar New Year | Red Blossom, Burgundy Peony, Red Lace | Red is the colour of the festival. Lunar New Year falls between late January and mid-February, and people start looking a few weeks before. |
| Wedding or banquet | Black Gold Butterfly, Indigo Watercolour, Black & White Peony | Richer or more formal, and they hold their own in a room full of colour. |
| Dinner or a day event | Powder Blue, Olive Green, Celadon Landscape, Lilac Floral | Quieter colours that are easy to wear again. |
| Plain and versatile | Black Bamboo, Black Jacquard | The simplest to dress up or down. |
A Melbourne evening can turn cool in the middle of a summer party. A light scarf or cardigan over a qipao works well, and our silk and cashmere scarves are made for exactly that.
Try it on at The Glen
The quickest way to settle the size is to come in. We will help you find the fit, and you can see the prints in daylight.
Cashmere & Silk, Shop G-85A, Ground Level, The Glen, 235 Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley VIC 3150. Phone +61 403 595 736.
| Day | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Wednesday | 10am to 5:30pm |
| Thursday and Friday | 10am to 8pm |
| Saturday and Sunday | 10am to 5pm |
If you cannot visit, order online. Delivery is free over $99 across Australia, orders are dispatched within one to three business days, and click and collect from the shop is free. For help with sizing before you order, send your measurements through the contact page or ring us.
Questions we are often asked
Can I wear a qipao if I am not Chinese? Yes. People of every background wear them to weddings and dinners. The useful question is whether the fit and print make you feel at ease.
Is it comfortable in a Melbourne summer? The silk blend is soft and light. We would not call any close-cut dress cool in a 38-degree heatwave, but it is comfortable for an evening out.
Can I order a size or colour that is not listed? Please ask us, and we will tell you plainly what is possible.