From The Straits Times    |

The cheongsam (or qi pao) may be the quintessential wardrobe piece for Lunar New Year, but there are many new ways to wear it these days, and way past the festive season too. These modern cheongsam styles can easily become part of your workwear wardrobe too.

You don’t even need to wear heels to go with your chic cheongsam either. We share 8 easy  — and unfussy — ways to wear your cheongsam this Chinese New Year.

1. CHEONGSAM TOP & CULOTTES + STATEMENT SANDALS
The matchy crop top and culottes look is still very on-trend, so adding a mandarin collar distinguishes these pieces as the perfect cheongsam replacement. Pick strappy statement sandals and accessories in accents of gold to complete the look.

Ong shunmugam cheongsam crop top and culottes look, 8 modern ways to wear a cheongsam, without heels!

Crop top and culotte pants, $349 each from Ong Shunmugam. Zariin citrine, topaz gold-plated bracelet and turquoise, rose, quartz gold-plated bracelet, $202.61 each from SheShops. Evocateur gold leaf and enamel bangle, $229.37 from SheShops. Zariin Turquoise and pink quartz gold-plated ring, $234.47 from SheShops. Atelier Swarovski crystal ring, $550 from Swarovski. Amazonite orion gold ring, $109 from Annielka. Sardinia camera, $178 from Lomography. Ancient Greek Sandals leather sandal flats, $355 from La Collection at The Shoe Salon.

2. CHEONGSAM TOP & CROPPED PANTS + PLATFORM SANDALS
How to look leggy, sans heels? A pair of high-waisted cropped pants can elongate your torso when matched with a crop top. Go with platform slides for a bit of added height; they’re so easy slip on and off for multiple house visits too.

Zalora and HM cheongsam top and pants look2, 8 modern ways to wear a cheongsam, without heels!

Lace top, $29.90 from Zalora. Polyester-viscose blend pants, $59.90 from H&M. Acetate sunglasses, $560 from Celine. Mini crossbody leather bag, $505 from Furla. Atelier Swarovski crystal ring, $550 from Swarovski. Fabric brooches, $33 each from Tong Tong Friendship Store. Crystal ring, $95 from Annielka. Leather platform sandals, $169 from Kurt Geiger.

3. FLORAL CHEONGSAM + GLITZY SANDAL FLATS
A floral dress can work well with sandal flats too. Opt for a more glitzy, embellished pair, then keep the rest of your accessories sleek and simple in silver.

ong shunmugam floral cheongsam look 3, 8 modern ways to wear a cheongsam, without heels!

Print cheongsam with tulle, $488 from Ong Shunmugam. Charlotte Olympia raffia and leather clutch bag, $920 from On Pedder. Crystal silver ring, $159 from Annielka. Carrie K crown seal silver ring and infinity cuff, $250 and $215 from Doorstep Luxury. Marilyn Tan rhodium-plated brass cuff, $490 from Doorstep Luxury. Kate Spade crystal sandal flats, $370 from On Pedder. Alice crossbody leather bag, $950 from Furla.

4. RED CHEONGSAM + SNEAKERS
There’s a good reason why white sneakers are the new staple shoe; they really do go with everything including a more traditional looking cheongsam, while giving your look a touch of youthful schoolgirl chic.

brocade cheongsam, 8 modern ways to wear a cheongsam, without heels!

Brocade cheongsam, $529 from Tong Tong Friendship Store. Carrie K leather bracelets, $118 each and Il Centimetro leather cuffs, from $89 each from Doorstep Luxury. Leather sneakers, $139 from Aldo.

5. BELTED CHEONGSAM + PLATFORM SNEAKERS
Go with matching tones for your cheongsam and sneakers for a chic and sporty outfit, then pair with a statement clutch in a contrasting shade to complete the look.

lark and peony cheongsam look 5, 8 modern ways to wear a cheongsam, without heels!

Cheongsam with obi belt, $188 from Lark & Peony. Leather clutch with tassel, $1,325 from Anya Hindmarch. Alexander Mcqueen leather sneakers, $875 from On Pedder. Crystal cuff and crystal ring, $880 and $320 from Swarovski.

6. PEPLUM DRESS + BROGUES
Batik print is more wearable than you would think, as seen on this peplum cheongsam dress; it gives a nod to the Peranakan kebaya too. Give this dress a modern edge by pairing it with chunky leather brogues; perfect for all day walking when you’re visiting the relatives.

The lady general cheongsam, 8 modern ways to wear a cheongsam, without heels!

Twill and cotton batik peplum cheongsam, $179 from The Lady General. Opera leather clutch, $425 from Furla. Acetate and metal sunglasses, $600 from Jimmy Choo. Saught gold-plated brass cuffs, and from Doorstep Luxury. Leather brogues, $199 from Dr. Martens.

7. MIXED PRINT CHEONGSAM + WHITE SANDALS
Like the white sneaker, a pair of strappy white sandals can become your go-to flats; especially when you’re wearing them with such a colourful print dress.

tong tong cheongsam look 7, 8 modern ways to wear a cheongsam, without heels!

Cotton cheongsam, $339 from Tong Tong Friendship Store. Candy bag, $325 from Furla. Marc by Marc Jacobs platform sandals, $530 from La Collection at The Shoe Salon.

8. LACE CHEONGSAM + METALLIC BROGUES
Make a more traditional cheongsam look a bit more contemporary by layering cuffs and bracelets in similar tones, together with a pair of metallic brogues. Now you’re camera-ready and house visiting in comfort too! ong shunmugam lace cheongsam look 8, 8 modern ways to wear a cheongsam, without heels!

Cheongsam with lace sleeves, $688 from Ong Shunmugam. Diana F+ 55mm instant camera, $219 from Lomography. Il Centimetro leather cuffs, from $89 each from Doorstep Luxury. Canvas and leather brogues, $529 from Dr. Martens. Twentyeight Lane faux-leather studded bracelet, $30.58 from SheShops.

 

Photography: Wong Weiliang; Art direction: Niki Bruce; Styling: Hong Xinying, assisted by Bernice Lam; Hair and makeup: Dollei Seah and Evelyn Liu of Makeup Entourage (9111 1919), using Redken and Shu Uemura; Model: Liu Yijun/ Nu Models

STOCKISTS
Aldo, ION Orchard, #B2-02.
Annielka, http://www.annielka.com.
Anya Hindmarch, Takashimaya Department Store, Level 2.
Atelier Swarovski, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, #B2-18.
Celine, Ngee Ann City, #01-28-29.
Dr. Martens, Wheelock Place,#02-17A.
Doorstep Luxury, 163 Telok Ayer St, http://doorstepluxury.com.
Furla, ION Orchard, #03-01.
H&M, Orchard Building.
Kurt Geiger, ION Orchard, #B2-02.
La Collection at The Shoe Salon, Takashimaya Department Store, Level 2.
Lark & Peony, http://larkandpeony.com.
Lomography Embassy Singapore, 295 South Bridge Road, #01-01
On Pedder, Scotts Square, #02-12P/Q.
Ong Shunmugam, Hong Leong Building, #B1-36.
SheShops Online Store, http://shop.sheshops.com.
Swarovski, ION Orchard, #B1-17/18.
The Lady General, http://www.theladygeneral.com.
Tong Tong Friendship Store, Shaw Towers, #01-05.
Zalora, http://www.zalora.sg.