Wedding Hairstyles for Your Cheongsam or Qipao

The stand-up collar has been part of Chinese dress for centuries, and if you’re wearing a qipao (or cheongsam) on your wedding day, it will beautifully frame your face and neck. So how should you style your hair to work with the collar? Updos and styles swept away from the face keep the collar and embroidery in view, while relaxed styles suit qipaos with a lower collar. Here are some ideas to inspire your look, plus accessories to finish it.

Bridal Hairstyles to Wear With a Qipao

Low Sleek Bun

If you love a polished, timeless look, a low sleek bun is a beautiful choice. It keeps hair off the collar, letting the qipao's design take center stage. It's also a great way to show off statement earrings, decorative hairpins, or other hair accessories.

This style works especially well if your qipao features intricate embroidery around the collar or shoulders. With your hair neatly tucked away, those details can shine.

Soft Side-Swept Waves

Prefer something a little softer? Side-swept waves add movement and a romantic feel while still looking polished. They can pair beautifully with qipaos that have a softer, lower collar line or an asymmetrical design.

Keep in mind how your hair falls around the neckline. If your qipao has a high collar with intricate details on both sides, long waves may cover some of the embroidery. Sweeping your hair to one side or pinning it back can keep those details visible without losing the style’s softness.

Wavy Ponytail

A ponytail also pairs well with a well-tailored qipao and keeps the neckline clear without feeling as formal as a bun.

For a bridal touch, ask your hairstylist to wrap a section of hair around the base of the ponytail or add soft waves through the ends. It's a lovely option if you want a clean, elegant style without committing to a traditional updo.

Short Hair and Retro Finger Waves

Short hairstyles are also great with the qipao, since the collar is clearly visible. You can go sleek and modern with a polished bob, or lean into the past with a more retro style.

Finger waves pair especially well with a vintage qipao to give a look that’s old-school cool. Fashionable in the '20s and '30s, and then again in the '90s, they're also perfect for a retro Hong Kong photoshoot.

Hair Accessories to Wear with a Qipao

Hair accessories also help create a bridal look that feels like you. Perhaps you want to keep things understated with a few delicate pins. Or, you can choose a statement accessory that brings attention to your hair.

If you’re changing outfits during your wedding, accessories are an easy way to adapt your hair. The same low bun can look different with a new pin, a flower, or a veil.

Flowers

Flowers add a soft, romantic touch to your wedding hairstyle. Try tucking them into a bun, placing them alongside a braid, or weaving them into your hairstyle. Use your favorite flowers, or choose blooms that complement your qipao's colors or embroidery.

Hairpins

Hairpins easily add detail to your bridal hairstyle. Traditional Chinese hairpins come in two common styles: zān, which have a single prong, and chāi, which have two or more. Both are often decorated with tassels, pearls, or jade.

The two also serve different purposes. A chāi’s prongs grip the hair, so it can help hold a bun or twist in place, while a zān works well as a decorative accent. The chāi also carries romantic meaning, since in Chinese literature a chāi is sometimes split in two so each partner keeps half, which makes it a meaningful choice for a wedding.

For your wedding, look for hairpins that complement your qipao's colors, embroidery, or overall design. If your dress already has lots of intricate details, a simpler pin may be all you need. If it’s more understated, you might prefer a piece that stands out more.

Ribbons and Bows

Ribbons and bows can add a touch of color to your look. They’re often made from silk or brocade, which makes them a natural match for a qipao in a similar fabric. Try tying a ribbon around the base of a low bun or ponytail, or pinning a small bow to one side. 

How to Choose Your Wedding Hairstyle

The best way to choose is to try. Bring your qipao, or a photo of it, to your hair trial along with any accessories you plan to wear, and see how each style suits you. Then pick the style that feels most like you.