While most tailor-made Qipaos, traditional one-piece Chinese dress, cost over RMB 1000, There is a place in the Gongzhufen area where you can find cheap quality tailored Qipao.

The place to visit is Daxin Fabrics, a one-floor market mainly selling all kinds of cloth, like silk, wool, flax, cotton fabric, and caddice. There are also six tailors here. So the trick is to buy the fabrics at the shops, and visit the tailor to make the dress for you.

As there are many retailers in the market, you must choose carefully and bargain hard with suppliers. Most of the silk is produced at Suzhou, renowned as the hometown of silk and embroidery. I asked around, and prices range from RMB 60 to RMB 250 per meter. For reference, a 1.6 meter tall woman usually requires 3-meter of silk to make a long-sleeve Qipao.

The tailoring will cost you RMB 120 per dress, and it will usually take seven days to finish. Overseas shipment is available.

So depending on the fabric type and the wearer’s size, a Qipao may cost your anywhere from RMB 300 to RMB 900. Vendors cannot speak English, but they always have a calculator handy to give you the prices. Bring a pen and paper to bargain with them.

What I Appreciate:
Choices, low price

What Customer Appreciate:
Choices, low price