Áo dài her bust and curves. Although the dress covers the entire body, it is thought to be provocative, especially when it is made of thin fabric. "The ao dai covers everything, but hides nothing", according to one saying. The dress must be individually fitted and usually requires several weeks for a tailor to complete. An ao dai costs about $200 in the United States and about $40 in Vietnam. "Symbolically, the ao dai invokes nostalgia and timelessness associated with a gendered image of the homeland for which many Vietnamese people throughout the diaspora yearn," wrote Nhi T. Lieu, an assistant professor
Traditional Thai clothing and the upper class in Bangkok, and nowadays is used in select circumstances as a national costume. The formal Thai costume, known in Thai as (, literally "Thai dress of royal endorsement"), includes several sets of dress, designed as the Thai national costume in formal occasions. Although described and intended for use as national costume, they are of relatively modern origins, having been conceived in the second half of the 20th century. Traditional Thai clothing Traditional Thai clothing is called "chut thai" (), which literally means "Thai outfit". It can be worn by men, women, and children. Chut thai for