Help me find a hairstyle for a formal dance

[XiaoBaiTu]

Hi everyone,

I'm attending a very formal ball at my college in mid-April, and I'm trying to choose a hairstyle. I will be wearing a dress very similar to this (http://www.cozyladywear.com/purple-ankle-length-fishtail-phoenix-qipao-chinese-cheongsam-dress-p-670.html). As you can see, it's a modernized version of a type of Chinese dress called 旗袍 (qí​páo). I am not Chinese, but I did grow up in China and my great-grandmother was Chinese, so it feels like a part of my culture too (hence why I have this dress).

I normally don't worry about formal hairstyles. For something like this, I'd just leave my hair out in all its curly glory and BAM, it looks great. Only, I don't want to do that with this dress -- my curly hair clashes somehow. So, any suggestions?

[Rebel Rebel]

I'm a big fan of an elegant french twist for formal hair.

[Shorty89]

Maybe a high bun with some curls loose framing your face? Or, maybe a folded braid.

[Aredhel]

What comes to mind for me would be a braided high bun maybe, or a braided Chinese bun? :) Love your name btw - little rabbit! :bunny:

[Sarahlabyrinth]

I think a French Twist would look most elegant with such a beautiful dress.

[hobbitlocks]

I agree, I think the dress will look better with your hair up. If you do a French twist, maybe you can find a pretty decorative comb to go with it? Personally, I can't reliably get French twists to work, but I think any sleek, high bun would work.

[pandabarrier]

Braided bun! If possible with hair sticks matching the color of your dress!

[OhSuzi]

http://cdn2.stylecraze.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Elegant-Messy-Updo-on-Curly-Hair.jpg

simple loose bun with blossom flowers

maybe a few face softening loose tendrils round the front /sides.

[OhSuzi]

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTlxvsJXvdy9cUD52l7qXiZGpz4_ogj8 QFcP7pAJ010uClLGVTS

Sort of low bun - no idea how you do em though - twist / braid sections to the nape & gather them all together?

[Dante]

Great dress! Given the collar is high (assuming your dress has this detail too), I'd go with all your hair up, so you don't cover the collar or lose your neck. And given your lovely curls, you could do up a beautiful bun with a braid for detail, maybe something like this (http://therighthairstyles.com/15-most-delightful-prom-updos-for-long-hair-in-2014/34/)? Add in some face framing curls or style bangs if you have them to add some softness if you like

[Acid]

a four strand french plait would look nice with some face framing curls left out: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HM_yA3fcswc/TonlDnQuLEI/AAAAAAAABjo/fjM7wNF4rJI/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/Braid.jpg or a bun with braids https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/94/89/55/948955f532edfa2ac76b5404b48ddbd0.jpg so you can still show off your length and curls

[PixieP]

A tucked french braid always looks very elegant, isn't too hard to do if you know how o french braid, and can be decorated with combs/pins :)

[lizardspots]

You've got lots of wonderful suggestions here. :)

Given the style of your gorgeous dress' collar, I'd go with hair up in a bun of some sort. With your lovely curly hair, you could go with a simple curly bun with some flower hair accessories, or maybe a jewelled comb. I'm sure whatever you do, it'll be stunning :D

My go-to fancy updo for attending weddings etc is a diagonal dutch braid, ending in an off-centre braided bun with a flower hair accessory behind my ear :)

[Tosca]

How about an upside down french braid (starting at nape and going up) ending with a bun? You could even wear a Chinese style hairstick, something like this https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/tIt_0bL5igYUOPdpnEr-BGqAIq9ogwh5-M_wV1qiNetD96-Ui1VQ2kulzqZ8VnT8wIO20me1996N7FNXoSk_2dLZ9da5rwOWm ZtDhW7Z592Q=w300-h300-nc to match your dress.

[Hay_jules]

With that dress I totally see a high bun with fancy hair sticks.

[sumidha]

Another vote for a loose french twist, but personally I wouldn't do hairsticks or a decorative comb, I'd leave the hairstyle unadorned and high, to keep focus on the dress. Also I feel like the qipao dress + hairsticks might be in danger of venturing into the realm of asian parody, which is not a great look, imho.

[XiaoBaiTu]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I'm going through and trying them out to see what I like. I only have simple hairsticks and no fancy combs, but I this is one style I attempted:

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=26687&d=1490383424

My hair wasn't being cooperative (4th day curly hair for ya) but I think I could clean it up some. There are two plain, black hairsticks in it that aren't very visible.

What do you think? And any tips on doing a french twist on long hair? I've never figured out how to get all of my hair into the twist.

[Groovy Granny]

What do you think? And any tips on doing a french twist on long hair? I've never figured out how to get all of my hair into the twist.

That looks pretty!

This may be of help https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nyDmSNsR74&feature=youtu.be&t=2m17s

If you want... instead of folding the loop down, you can tuck it into the twist....or even leave it up depending on your length, and secure it there.

[Aredhel]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I'm going through and trying them out to see what I like. I only have simple hairsticks and no fancy combs, but I this is one style I attempted:

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=26687&d=1490383424

My hair wasn't being cooperative (4th day curly hair for ya) but I think I could clean it up some. There are two plain, black hairsticks in it that aren't very visible.

What do you think? And any tips on doing a french twist on long hair? I've never figured out how to get all of my hair into the twist.

I actually like this! IMO with Chinese gowns, the simpler your hair & accessories are, the better. Anything too fancy will be just way too much going on at once, and will distract from the lovely dress. :) Plus the little curls you left out of the bun is a nice touch!

[sumidha]

I think french twists look great with hair coming out the top, especially if it's curly! You just make the twist and instead of tucking the extra hair into the twist you leave the ends out, kinda like this: http://i2.wp.com/therighthairstyles.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/12-easy-summer-french-twist-updo.jpg?w=500