Chinese wedding dress?

You can order the material from overseas and have a seamstress here make it for you.

Even amazon sells qipao dresses!!! so you can always just get one to try on with their try on program

I’d ask your future MIL for help with attire. She probably will love to be involved.

Look on Etsy!

https://etsy.me/2EeMjdl

Check out East Meets Dress! https://eastmeetsdress.com/
It’s by Asian-Americans and you can order a dress from there. The site also explains some common Chinese wedding traditions. Now for a Chinese wedding dress, there are two make styles, the qipao (cheongsam) and the qunkwa. The qunkwa is the more traditional of the two, whereas the qipao is more modern. My mom is somewhat traditional and preferred the qunkwa but since Covid restricted my guest count, I didn’t go all out on the tea ceremony and just wore a regular red gown instead. See what your MiL likes and shop around!

I am wondering as I do not know the answer. Would it be considered cultural appropriation to wear the traditional outfit associated with the traditional event you are attending? Especially, if you are marrying into that culture?

I am marrying into a Bangladesh family, not Chinese, so I can’t respond to the specific clothing conversation. (Though in general, you can probably order something overseas and have it tailored locally here. That is what I am doing) However, I did want to respond on cultural appropriation. My future in-laws would probably be offended if I didn’t wear traditional Bengali clothes in pictures and at our 2nd wedding in Bangladesh. Cultural appropriation, in my opinion, generally means taking something from a cultural that your culture has dominated, or you use something for a profit. In this case, you are wearing clothes to honor your new family. It is a sign of respect. Plus, it gives you a chance to learn more about their culture, and that is great too!

I am German, my husband is Asian-America (his parents are from Hong Kong) and we ordered from eastmeetsdress.
Quality is great, you can order some sample dress to try it on and decide which on you prefer.
I had a hard time deciding this all their dresses are beautiful.
His parents and he love the dress- so far we used it to take engagement pictures, the reception is postponed thanks to Covid

Hi! Thanks for your thoughtfulness about cultural appropriation. In this case, I agree that you are honoring the Chinese tradition and marrying into the family, so it is absolutely OK to wear this on your wedding day! Appropriation typically happens when people wear or do things out of “just for fun” entertainment purposes, but this is very different. This is carrying on a long-time tradition for a family you are now going to be part of. I agree with Etsy or some of the other sites listed. Good luck!

When I read the title had a major eyeroll, but I read the question and realized I had judged WAY too quickly! I think if it would make his parents and grandparents happy, it couldn't POSSIBLY be appropriation. You are honoring them and their culture with their blessing. You're definitely good there.

"Cultural appropriation refers to the use of objects or elements of a non-dominant culture in a way that doesn't respect their original meaning, give credit to their source, or reinforces stereotypes or contributes to oppression."

You are giving respect to the dress's original meaning.

It also sounds like it will be a very special gesture to your in-laws.

I agree with a previous poster about involving your future MIL. I would bet she would love the opportunity to be involved.

Everyone has given really good advice on the cultural appropriation - this is not a case of appropriation.
But that doesn’t mean that some jerk somewhere won’t make a nasty comment accusing you. People can be mean about anything.
You know that you are doing something that your FH’s family wants you to do, it’s honoring their traditions and it’s lovely. Don’t let one or two snarky people elsewhere (not here!) cause you to hesitate to honor your future in laws culture.

Thanks so much for all your kind/ helpful responses! I don't know why I didn't think to talk to my mother-in-law before, but I've reached out to her thanks to your encouragement. Also definitely leaning toward ordering something from Etsy

East Meets Dress is GORGEOUS btw, but maybe too formal for what my family is planning? We'll see.

Thanks again!

View Quoted Comment I mean she could have also been an ethnically Chinese bride like many of us on here.

View Quoted Comment When it comes to the wedding dress, nothing is over the top in Chinese culture. Many brides have their tea ceremony in hotel rooms whilst everyone else is standing around in everyday clothing. No one ever thinks the bride is too formal. 😊

View Quoted Comment I'm getting married in July and will be having a chinese tea ceremony as well. I highly considered east meets dress but was nervous because I have odd body proportions and without trying it on beforehand I was having a hard time spending the money and hoping for the best. I'm not sure where you live but if you have access to any chinatowns (I went to the one in Philly) they usually have a few qiapo stores. I went with my mother in law and it was soooo helpful to have her there to help me choose and talk to the shop owner to get it tailored. I was shocked when I found one that needed minimal alterations (that were done that day on the spot) and was only $70! My in laws are very easy going and she wanted me in something simple which will definitely fit the tone that we're going for that day! I hope you find your dress soon! Wearing one really was special and I would highly recommend sharing this experience with your MIL because for me it was a lovely memory that I'll always have now. 💜

Also, whatever dress you choose make sure that way you kneel down to give the tea make sure you have some wiggle room! My mother in law wanted to make sure I felt comfortable! 😊

Not sure how petite you are, but I am super petite (5'0, 96lbs). I bought my traditional Chinese dress from aliexpress, they run small, but it's perfect for my petite frame.

My friend got hers from Chinatown. Wearing a qipao for a tea ceremony is the opposite of appropriation