Honestly, traditional clothing is beautiful and you’re likely to get compliments for wearing it. I used to live with an Indian student who’d often wear one of their sarees from home, or a western jumpsuit if they wanted to wear something with pants instead. It’s good to have options.
My very brief experience with westerners is that they love seeing traditional attire from other countries, so I hope it goes well! And yes, I’m exploring good quality alternatives like a more plain/western LBD. Still exploring, but thanks for the input!
Hi! Am in Perth, and depending on the university and college you're joining we might bump into each other!
My only advice is that July here is COLD - a wet 8-11 degrees celcius, so if you're wearing a sheer cocktail ensemble you are going to feel freezing once you step outside. I suggest pairing your lovely clothes with a warm overcoat, and if the temperature is nice indoors you can remove it or keep it on to stay cosy. If it matches your outfit that's even better! But the clothes you're describing sound better in the warmer months of the year, around November-February.
Kinda disagree with the advice that traditional is incompatible with cocktail dress code.
My experience with student cocktail events—though a while ago now—is that over-dressing is always more fun than hitting the mark exactly with some boring LBD. Something different always gets lots of compliments and is a much better conversation starter.
Maybe style the kebaya in a new way if you’re worried about formality. The jacket with a plainer skirt or a gorgeous patterned skirt with a luxe cami only. That way you get to use something you already have and just style it a new way.
Cocktail is extremely flexible and can include ankle-length dresses so don’t worry too much. The [Australian Style Institute](https://australianstyleinstitute.com.au/decoding-dresscodes-what-to-wear-for-formal-cocktail-casual-and-more/) agrees that, as long as it’s gorgeous, anything goes with a cocktail dress code.
Hope you have fun whatever you decide!
Great idea! I did think of taking half of the outfit and seeing what pairs well with it. I’m terrible at accessorising though, which is why I haven’t invested in a LBD yet. Thanks for the input though, “cocktail” is definitely an umbrella term which is very confusing for a first timer!
I love it! It looks fun. It's a good length to walk about and looks classy and comfy. This is Australia; we aren't mono-Western fashion. Expect to get a lot of compliments and questions.
The kebaya or cheongsam would be a gorgeous option. It’s cold in July in Perth, so if you wanted you could make it a bit more casual by wearing a long coat and heeled boots with it. Cocktail style is usually pretty flexible, some may be in shorter dresses and some in longer. I think wearing traditional is a lovely way to bring your own beauty and style to the night.
Malaysian Chinese here.
Kebaya and Cheongsam both would work, especially brings out the cultural diversity within the uni culture. Cocktail attire is a semi-formal dining attire i.e. don't wear flip-flops, slippers, singlets etc (you get the drill), and don't go all out overly formal tux.
Kebaya, Cheongsam, Saree/Sari would work just fine
Random but would camisoles/bra tops, not cropped, be okay? Cocktail dresses can have spaghetti straps, so the shoulders and collarbones are exposed anyway, so does that same style apply? Thanks for your comment!
i think cocktail dresses' spaghetti strap would be different from mainstream camisoles. For cocktail attire, i think camisoles/bra tops might be too casual in many occassions.
I am personally biased towards the cultural attire, eye-catching and unique (especially in Aus). I mean, it'd be way more common if the same event is done in KL but super refreshing when done in diff country.
I rarely go the traditional route in Malaysia too outside of school events/celebrations, so this definitely qualifies as “dressing up” for me haha. I get your point though, thanks!
My qipaos are either too long (passed down from my mum, I’m very very short) or those not really high quality, commercialised versions. So I worry it’ll be a bit too cliche or not form fitting. But if I go with a plain black dress, I’m horrible at accessorising haha. Will certainly have to try different stuff on, thanks
Qipaos are perfect for a cocktail dress code. I’m Anglo Aussie but they were very trendy here in the 90s, my mum made her own and it was part of her formalwear wardrobe. But what matters most is feeling confident and beautiful, so go with what you feel good wearing.
Usually the difference between cocktail and other formal attire is the length of the dress, with cocktail being knee length.
However you wouldn’t usually have dinner at a cocktail event either, so I suspect that the organizer wants everyone to set a certain tone for the event but not the expectation of full blown formal gown, so on that basis, I think the outfits you have shown would be perfect.
I see. I’ve always assumed semi formal dinner attire is kinda like wedding-dinner-style, although this will be my first! According to what the internet recommended, cocktail dress lengths range from mid thigh to full length. I’ll try styling this outfit a different way maybe, then see how it goes from there. Thanks!
If you want, maybe wear your cheongsam. Just cause the cheongsam is shorter and you can layer it with a coat. Think of it as a semi formal event where you're mingling around etc. I don't think the kebaya would suit the event.
Is this in terms of moving and being comfortable enough to get through the whole evening? Honestly only the top is on the tighter end so I can move around easily enough. My cheongsams are either too long (passed down from my mum) or of suspect quality (bought in random shops) haha
This is gorgeous. I don’t think I’d really call it a dress though. However I think if it’s a formal style sarong kebaya in Malaysia it would be similarly formal appropriate here.
Tbh you should wear this, it’ll look much better than a lot of the crappy formal options available here.
I’m simultaneously worried it’ll be too formal, or not formal enough (wrong kind of formal?) Maybe I’ll try pairing half of the outfit with something else. Thanks for your input!
Having attended university events it’s such a mixed bag. You could wear virtually anything barring jeans/ultra casual and be fine probably. Traditional outfits will probably go over well but if you want to nail the dress code, go for a something in festive colours with a wintry feel. The point of Christmas in July to Australians is to experience a cold weather Christmas so red/green velvet, even a bit of plaid kind of traditional northern hemisphere Christmasy looks would be fun. I bet some girls will want to go op shopping to find something in advance of it if you wanted to suggest the outing.
I disagree with this. I used to work in Canberra where we would host cocktail events with international guests in attendance (e.g. international students and diplomatic staff). It was common for people to wear their traditional garb and in fact it looked really cool.
Had plenty of cocktail level events at uni and outside of uni. Men wearing suits is perfectly acceptable (especially if some are faculty that just wear suits anyway). And cocktail can mean a satin mini or knee length dress or a lovely loose maxi or dress pants and a blouse. It's not necessarily dressing up more casual clothes.
That’s the thing- the internet says too many different things about cocktail and I guess it’s too much of an umbrella term. Another post I saw literally said men should wear suits, not normal jackets. No blue jeans either.
Cocktail can include suits for men - it's a very flexible option to go with. Obviously - not black tie level, but a blazer, tailored shirt (particularly more styled options - like patterned fabric), chinos & simple leather shoes is VERY common at cocktail style events, but you can also do a suit. Definitely no blue jeans - you do get the odd person in very fresh black jeans (best to avoid though, in general - takes skill).
Keep in mind also, it's a uni cocktail function - so it is literally designed for fun, and many people will be basing their styles around what they have being both students, and quite a few people facing the same issue as yourself (ie. what fits in budget/suitcase/best guess) so don't panic too much about it.
People will downvote it, but I can almost guarantee I've attended & worked in more cocktail functions than the average person. That's reddit, and cocktail is so flexible, that so long as you aren't walking in with hoodie & jeans, you won't be far off the next person. Plenty of people also go all out - and that's a-ok too, but you don't have to.
Honestly, traditional clothing is beautiful and you’re likely to get compliments for wearing it. I used to live with an Indian student who’d often wear one of their sarees from home, or a western jumpsuit if they wanted to wear something with pants instead. It’s good to have options.
My very brief experience with westerners is that they love seeing traditional attire from other countries, so I hope it goes well! And yes, I’m exploring good quality alternatives like a more plain/western LBD. Still exploring, but thanks for the input!
Hi! Am in Perth, and depending on the university and college you're joining we might bump into each other! My only advice is that July here is COLD - a wet 8-11 degrees celcius, so if you're wearing a sheer cocktail ensemble you are going to feel freezing once you step outside. I suggest pairing your lovely clothes with a warm overcoat, and if the temperature is nice indoors you can remove it or keep it on to stay cosy. If it matches your outfit that's even better! But the clothes you're describing sound better in the warmer months of the year, around November-February.
Kinda disagree with the advice that traditional is incompatible with cocktail dress code. My experience with student cocktail events—though a while ago now—is that over-dressing is always more fun than hitting the mark exactly with some boring LBD. Something different always gets lots of compliments and is a much better conversation starter. Maybe style the kebaya in a new way if you’re worried about formality. The jacket with a plainer skirt or a gorgeous patterned skirt with a luxe cami only. That way you get to use something you already have and just style it a new way. Cocktail is extremely flexible and can include ankle-length dresses so don’t worry too much. The [Australian Style Institute](https://australianstyleinstitute.com.au/decoding-dresscodes-what-to-wear-for-formal-cocktail-casual-and-more/) agrees that, as long as it’s gorgeous, anything goes with a cocktail dress code. Hope you have fun whatever you decide!
Great idea! I did think of taking half of the outfit and seeing what pairs well with it. I’m terrible at accessorising though, which is why I haven’t invested in a LBD yet. Thanks for the input though, “cocktail” is definitely an umbrella term which is very confusing for a first timer!
I love it! It looks fun. It's a good length to walk about and looks classy and comfy. This is Australia; we aren't mono-Western fashion. Expect to get a lot of compliments and questions.
Thank you! Will have to try them on since I haven’t worn one in ages, see how it fits and what shoes to pair them with.
The kebaya or cheongsam would be a gorgeous option. It’s cold in July in Perth, so if you wanted you could make it a bit more casual by wearing a long coat and heeled boots with it. Cocktail style is usually pretty flexible, some may be in shorter dresses and some in longer. I think wearing traditional is a lovely way to bring your own beauty and style to the night.
Oooh a cheongsam with a long coat style could definitely be very retro. Will try to apply it to kebaya? Thanks!
Malaysian Chinese here. Kebaya and Cheongsam both would work, especially brings out the cultural diversity within the uni culture. Cocktail attire is a semi-formal dining attire i.e. don't wear flip-flops, slippers, singlets etc (you get the drill), and don't go all out overly formal tux. Kebaya, Cheongsam, Saree/Sari would work just fine
Random but would camisoles/bra tops, not cropped, be okay? Cocktail dresses can have spaghetti straps, so the shoulders and collarbones are exposed anyway, so does that same style apply? Thanks for your comment!
i think cocktail dresses' spaghetti strap would be different from mainstream camisoles. For cocktail attire, i think camisoles/bra tops might be too casual in many occassions. I am personally biased towards the cultural attire, eye-catching and unique (especially in Aus). I mean, it'd be way more common if the same event is done in KL but super refreshing when done in diff country.
I rarely go the traditional route in Malaysia too outside of school events/celebrations, so this definitely qualifies as “dressing up” for me haha. I get your point though, thanks!
Please wear a qipao!!! Be proud of your heritage :-) normal cocktail wear is soooooooo boring
My qipaos are either too long (passed down from my mum, I’m very very short) or those not really high quality, commercialised versions. So I worry it’ll be a bit too cliche or not form fitting. But if I go with a plain black dress, I’m horrible at accessorising haha. Will certainly have to try different stuff on, thanks
Qipaos are perfect for a cocktail dress code. I’m Anglo Aussie but they were very trendy here in the 90s, my mum made her own and it was part of her formalwear wardrobe. But what matters most is feeling confident and beautiful, so go with what you feel good wearing.
That’s great to hear!
Usually the difference between cocktail and other formal attire is the length of the dress, with cocktail being knee length. However you wouldn’t usually have dinner at a cocktail event either, so I suspect that the organizer wants everyone to set a certain tone for the event but not the expectation of full blown formal gown, so on that basis, I think the outfits you have shown would be perfect.
I see. I’ve always assumed semi formal dinner attire is kinda like wedding-dinner-style, although this will be my first! According to what the internet recommended, cocktail dress lengths range from mid thigh to full length. I’ll try styling this outfit a different way maybe, then see how it goes from there. Thanks!
How beautiful! Wear what makes you happy and I hope you have a wonderful time!
Thank you! Will try my best to figure out what suits the event most
If you want, maybe wear your cheongsam. Just cause the cheongsam is shorter and you can layer it with a coat. Think of it as a semi formal event where you're mingling around etc. I don't think the kebaya would suit the event.
Is this in terms of moving and being comfortable enough to get through the whole evening? Honestly only the top is on the tighter end so I can move around easily enough. My cheongsams are either too long (passed down from my mum) or of suspect quality (bought in random shops) haha
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Yes, wanted to gauge other people’s opinions haha since cocktail is such an umbrella term. May try pairing it with something else though. Thanks!
Traditional attire like in the pics comes off as a bit too formal for cocktail. From an Australian uni student.
I see. Maybe will pair it with something else eg a thin strapped top with the skirt. Thanks for the input though
This is gorgeous. I don’t think I’d really call it a dress though. However I think if it’s a formal style sarong kebaya in Malaysia it would be similarly formal appropriate here. Tbh you should wear this, it’ll look much better than a lot of the crappy formal options available here.
I’m simultaneously worried it’ll be too formal, or not formal enough (wrong kind of formal?) Maybe I’ll try pairing half of the outfit with something else. Thanks for your input!
Having attended university events it’s such a mixed bag. You could wear virtually anything barring jeans/ultra casual and be fine probably. Traditional outfits will probably go over well but if you want to nail the dress code, go for a something in festive colours with a wintry feel. The point of Christmas in July to Australians is to experience a cold weather Christmas so red/green velvet, even a bit of plaid kind of traditional northern hemisphere Christmasy looks would be fun. I bet some girls will want to go op shopping to find something in advance of it if you wanted to suggest the outing.
Thanks for the tip!
Boleh la
Heh :)
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I disagree with this. I used to work in Canberra where we would host cocktail events with international guests in attendance (e.g. international students and diplomatic staff). It was common for people to wear their traditional garb and in fact it looked really cool.
Had plenty of cocktail level events at uni and outside of uni. Men wearing suits is perfectly acceptable (especially if some are faculty that just wear suits anyway). And cocktail can mean a satin mini or knee length dress or a lovely loose maxi or dress pants and a blouse. It's not necessarily dressing up more casual clothes.
That’s the thing- the internet says too many different things about cocktail and I guess it’s too much of an umbrella term. Another post I saw literally said men should wear suits, not normal jackets. No blue jeans either.
Cocktail can include suits for men - it's a very flexible option to go with. Obviously - not black tie level, but a blazer, tailored shirt (particularly more styled options - like patterned fabric), chinos & simple leather shoes is VERY common at cocktail style events, but you can also do a suit. Definitely no blue jeans - you do get the odd person in very fresh black jeans (best to avoid though, in general - takes skill). Keep in mind also, it's a uni cocktail function - so it is literally designed for fun, and many people will be basing their styles around what they have being both students, and quite a few people facing the same issue as yourself (ie. what fits in budget/suitcase/best guess) so don't panic too much about it. People will downvote it, but I can almost guarantee I've attended & worked in more cocktail functions than the average person. That's reddit, and cocktail is so flexible, that so long as you aren't walking in with hoodie & jeans, you won't be far off the next person. Plenty of people also go all out - and that's a-ok too, but you don't have to.
Way too formal. Just wear a nice black dress around knee length.
Way too boring though :(
That’s the concern haha. Although I do not have nice black dresses either :(