Quick answer: Keep enough room to move at the hips, then ask a tailor whether the waist can be taken in. Sizing down may solve one problem while creating another.

A qipao can fit at the hips but look loose at the waist, especially when your waist-to-hip ratio differs from the dress’s cut. Start by deciding whether the hip fit is genuinely comfortable.

Test the area you cannot compromise

Try the size you are considering. Is the waist only slightly loose, or does fabric bunch noticeably? Sit and take a few steps. Look for horizontal pulling at the hips, tension around the slit, or fabric that restricts your stride. Remember that the lining may have less give than the outer fabric. Photographs taken while moving can reveal more than a flat size chart.

Ask about alterations before ordering

If the hips fit well, an experienced tailor may be able to adjust the waist through the side seams or darts. The answer depends on the seam allowance, lining, print placement, and how the dress is constructed. Adding room at tight hips is often harder when little fabric remains in the seams. Ask about the likely cost and result rather than assuming any qipao can be altered.

Build in enough time

For a wedding or graduation, leave time for delivery, a complete try-on, a tailor’s assessment, alterations, and another fitting. Check the return deadline before making changes. If your event is too close for that sequence, look for a cut that fits comfortably without major work. The goal is a dress you can wear through the day, not one that looks perfect only while you stand still.