Accessories for Áo dài

As an elegant costume, áo dài sets its own rules for accessories that come with it. Many foreigners say that Vietnamese women are the most beautiful in áo dài. I believe it does not mean that Vietnamese women have the most perfect figures in comparison to other women in the world, but mostly because they know how to combine proper accessories with áo dài which can best highlight its aesthetics.

1. Conical straw hat (Nón lá):

Although Vietnam is not the only place which has conical straw hat, it is only in this country where conical straw hat has other romantic meanings apart from its original function of a sun-safe device. In Hue, its name is “Nón bài thơ” (poem conical hat) inside which poems are written and beautiful images are stitched. Wearing conical hat along with áo dài seems to make the woman’s look become more Vietnamese and graceful. It would be an shameful failure in style if one wears cap or helmet together with áo dài, because this costume can only accentuated by feminine accessories.

Nón lá often comes with áo dài, in daily life or even fashion shows

2. Circular headgear (Khăn đóng):

Circular headger (turban) is used with áo dài only, not any kinds of costume else. In the past, Khăn đóng was employed frequently by both Vietnamese man and woman. Nowadays, it is often used in special occasions, such as wedding, festival owing to the fact that it contributes to a more royal and formal look. Normally, women have to have their hair tightly tufted to wear Khăn đóng. Its color is usually similar to that of áo dài or other color that reasonably matches. Thus, this choice is delicate and it requires an aesthetic appreciation.

Color of the Khăn đóng must be chosen carefully

3. High heels:

Since áo dài promotes the physical beauty of female body, high heels are considered as the “secret weapons” of women which would make them seem to be taller, thus slimmer, with long legs. This is more effective as the trousers are always wide, silky and its length floor-skimming. Moreover, high heels also contribute to lovelier manner of walking by tightening their buttocks as well as pushing their chests outward. Now which woman would not like that! That is why Vietnamese women, even those who are as tall as Westerner, always wear high heels when they wear áo dài. Flat heels are only used in case the men who accompany with them are in medium height or, worse case scenario, shorter than them.

These two models’ heights are over 1.8m, yet they both wear high heels when they wear áo dài

4. Jewelry: necklace, earrings

Basically, there are two kinds of necklace used with áo dài: a string of beads and round-shaped necklace. Which kind of necklace would be chosen depends on style of the áo dài’s collar, color, as well as facial shape of the woman. Even though jewelries (necklace, earrings) are not compulsory, women still consider them as indispensable to make their appearances more attractive. The woman would be more appreciated if she knows how to use jewelries properly with the áo dài they are wearing. Many of them ask for advices from fashion consultants when they are going to attend importat occasions, such as meeting or wedding.

Two kinds of necklace appear frequently with áo dài

5. Long coat, scarf…

These two items are also used in order to create a royal and formal look. They may conjure up the image of áo tứ thân which is considered to be the ancestor of áo dài. There are some cases that Vietnamese women employ these items: important occasions, such as wedding or meeting, and in cold weather.

Old and new versions of Áo tứ thân

Long coat and long scarf

After reading this blog, we hope it can help tourists get an áo dài easily in any province they visit in Vietnam. If they wish to make themselves more beautiful and gorgeous, they can consider accessories mentioned above.


References:

Vo, Linda Trinh, et. al (ed.) Asian American Women: The Frontiers Reader. Lincoln and London: University of Nebraska Press, 2004.

Niessen, Sandra, et. al (ed.) The Globalization of Asian Dress: Re-Orienting Fashion. Oxford and New York: Berg, 2003.

En.wikipedia.org: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non_la