How much does a Silk Qipao cost?

When it comes to choosing a silk qipao, the question of its price cannot be ignored. There are numerous options available online and offline, ranging from $40 on Amazon to $1000+ silk gowns at designer ateliers, making it overwhelming to pick the right dress.

Specialized in artisanal silk cheongsam dresses, our tailors are here to help you with this topic. In this post, we are going to cover:

• The reasons why silk qipaos are more expensive
• Different price ranges available and which ones to avoid
• Where to find the best quality-to-price ratio silk dresses

It’s time to get a clearer understanding of how much a silk qipao should cost! Let’s begin right now.

Silk qipao price range: what to expect?

Silk qipaos can cost between $100 and $1000+, depending on different parameters such as the quality of the fabric, the craftsmanship, and the overall design of the gowns. To make it simple, the majority of mulberry silk cheongsam that are made to measure will cost you from $300 to $700. Here are the overall price ranges that you might encounter when shopping for your dress:

Fast fashion and faux silk: under $100

Let’s be completely honest: if a brand tells you that they sell silk cheongsams under $100, there are very high chances for the dress to be non-authentic. Unfortunately, many sellers will pretend that their low price range polyester products are silk, and they will use terms such as “silk-look” or “silk-feel” to hide the truth. Pay attention if you see that the fabric composition is missing or that there are no zoomed-in photos of the material.

These cheap synthetic materials will never have the same properties as pure mulberry silk since they are of low quality. Usually, these dresses are made with faux silk that is not breathable, is very thin, and does not last over time. The reason is that they are mass-produced in standard sizes, often with machine-finished details, far away from what any artisan would offer.

Entry-level real silk: $100 to $300

If you find gowns that are between $100 and $300, they will most likely not be composed with pure silk but a blend of silk with other materials like cotton, viscose, rayon, or spandex. This type of dress can represent a potential entry point to owning a silk qipao if you have a limited budget.

However, note that those Chinese dresses might have a simpler design and a lighter texture. The material will be less durable and will not drape or keep the silhouette as well as more premium silk gowns. To finish, they are often made in standard sizes and might not completely match your measurements to offer a comfortable and flattering fit.

Premium made-to-measure: $300 to $700

If you are looking for a high-quality silk qipao, the price range of $300-$700 will be the most cost-effective option for you. Not only will you get more elegant details, such as sophisticated motifs, artisanal Chinese frog buttons, or refined embroidery, but you will also benefit from a custom tailoring adapter to your figure.

For this budget, the silk of your dress will also be more dense and have a natural, radiant shine that no other fabric can offer. To be 100% transparent, this is exactly the type of Chinese gowns that you will find by exploring our Qipao boutique. Made to measure with high-quality silk, they are particularly appreciated by our customers for their events.

Luxury and designer: $700 and above

Finally, you will sometimes find silk cheongsams that exceed $700 on the market. This does not necessarily mean that the quality of their silk is better: they are mostly crafted with exclusive bespoke designs that are made on demand.

It can also mean that these silk qipaos are created by famous designers or sold by prestigious brands. Unfortunately, these models are only made in physical designer ateliers and can take many months to be tailored: you will need to subscribe to waiting lists for it. It remains an interesting option if you want unique collector’s pieces in your wardrobe.

What affects the cost of a silk cheongsam?

There are different elements that impact thecost of a silk cheongsam, but the most important ones are the grade of the silk and its momme weight. The amount of details in the embroidery and the level of craftsmanship can also play a significant role. To finish, you will pay more if your dress is made-to-measure or bespoke than if you buy it ready-to-wear.

Silk grade and momme weight

Silk fabric is a broad notion that includes many types within it. For example, you will find mulberry silk, jacquard silk, brocade silk, and silk velvet that provide different textures and finishes. Depending on the one you choose, the price of your dress will change, since they do not have the same production cost.

Also, the weight of your silk, measured in momme, will have a direct impact on the final price. The denser and heavier the silk, the more expensive it will be. You will usually find standard silk dresses from 12mm to 19mm. On the other hand, premium gowns have a silk grade that varies from 19 to 22 mm and higher.

Made-to-measure VS ready-to-wear

Without a doubt, made-to-measure silk qipaos will cost you more than their ready-to-wear equivalents. They require more tailoring time and attention, as the silhouette of the gown is altered to perfectly fit your body shape. If we talk about bespoke cheongsams, the cost can be even higher than the made-to-measure dresses. The reason behind it is that they are created from scratch according to the individual design commissioned by the customer.

Ready-to-wear qipaos will always remain the cheapest option as they are mass-produced in standard sizes. This difference between handmade and fast fashion is probably the most important price factor for buyers. However, if you plan to order a silk qipao that you want to wear during future events, we strongly recommend you to opt for a custom size dress.

Embroidery and handcrafted details

Embroidery is one of the signature details of qipao dresses and its design can greatly impact the final price. Extensive hand-embroidered motifs can cost up to three to four times more than a similar silhouette without them.

On top of that, if you choose models that include handmade Pankou buttons, jacquard pattern, or artisanal beading, you will notice an increase in the cost of your gown. The reason behind it lies in the level of craftsmanship and time of labour required to make the dress.

Origin and craftsmanship of the dress

Since the origin of qipao dresses in China, this country remains at the heart of making the most beautiful silk gowns. Their quality and price can vary a lot depending on whether you order it from a big factory or a specialized designer atelier. There are many boutiques and designers available based in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, and other cities.

In Western countries, you will also find a lot of premium brands. However, please do not forget that the country of origin of the qipao alone does not determine its quality, but the fabric grade, design, and craftsmanship matter far more. These elements are also a part of the total cost of your purchase.

Is a more expensive silk Chinese dress worth it?

Yes, more expensive silk Chinese dresses are completely worth it. Let’s look into the reasons why in more detail:

Instead of just looking at how much a silk qipao costs, you should focus more on its cost per wear: this makes a whole difference in the end. For example, if you plan to wear your gown to different events, such as weddings, evening parties, family gatherings or Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, you will end up realizing that a higher-quality silk cheongsam is way more cost-effective than a cheaper one.

Silk, as a natural fiber, is one of the most durable fabrics that you can find. This is why a qipao made of this pure material will last for a long time, while staying in a pristine condition. On top of that, silk Chinese dresses with their luxurious design never go out of style. This way, you are sure that you can confidently wear your gown on different occasions, even if it’s not brand new.

Seeing it as an investment for your wardrobe and not a cost you need to cover, you will realize that more expensive silk Chinese dresses are always better for your wallet.

Discover high-quality silk qipaos at the best price

If you read this article, it probably means that you are searching for the best silk qipao at the most advantageous price. We hope that our explanations helped you understand better the different price ranges and the factors that influence the final cost. With all of this, you now have a clearer vision of this topic, and you will easily determine which brands are worth the money and which ones you should absolutely avoid.

This is why we invite you to take an expert look at our exclusive collection of silk qipaos. You will notice that our Chinese dresses are all made-to-measure in a custom size with high-quality silk at a reasonable price point. Do not hesitate to explore our collection of silk cheongsams right now to discover our limited-edition designs for big events. Our team is looking forward to creating an exquisite gown for you!