Outside of honoring their heritage, theres little wonder why Chinese brides in the Western world wear a qipao for at least some portion of their wedding day: Its hard not to look great in one.

The qipao , which is also known as a cheongsam, packs in a lot of striking, distinctive details: a body-hugging silhouette, a sleek mandarin collar and silk embroidered with everything from gold dragon and phoenix symbols, to delicate peonies and butterflies. (To get a sense of just how striking the sheath dress can be in movement, watch Maggie Cheung moodily walk around in one in Wong Kar Wais classic In The Mood For Love.)