Variation in Ao Dai

In the 1980s of the 18^th century, the Ao Dai used to be worn by o­nly girls of upper classes. Since the 20^th century, it has been stylized from the four-flap gown with o­nly two flaps, o­ne in the front flowing down to the ground, and the other in the back. The body of the dress was designed to cling to the wearer’s figure with a row of buttons running along o­ne side that make the wearer look more attractive and graceful. In the 21^st century, the dress is created from different materials with various styles, such as the stylized collar, split front flag and clinging body and sleeves.

The Ao Dai is stylized from the Ao Dai

Dispite a lot of changes, the dress retains it beauty and aesthetic value and it is the favourite costume of Vietnamese women in their daily life or o­n special occastions. It has been absorbed in a lot of poems, songs and paintings and has become the typical Vietnamese cultural image to international friends.