Custom-tailored silk qipao (cheongsam)

A garment built to your body in the city that made the qipao famous, for less than an off-the-rack polyester version costs abroad.

Price: 880 CNY (Made-to-measure qipao in mid-grade silk brocade incl. fabric and fitting (¥600-1,500 typical; polyester blends from ¥350), 3-7 days with one fitting)

Where to buy: South Bund Fabric Market (Shanghai), 3rd floor tailors; allow 3-7 days in-city or pay a rush fee for 48h

Price checked 2026-07-03

• Go early in your trip: measure day 1, fit day 3, collect day 5. Bring a photo of the exact cut you want
• Confirm the fabric is silk (burn test a swatch) and agree the total price including lining and frog buttons in writing before they cut
• Tailors quote first-price high to tourists; 20-30% off the opening quote is normal and friendly