Traditional Thai Wedding Dress — The 8 Royal Styles, Rent or Tailor
The Thai dress is the centrepiece of the bride's look in the Thai morning ceremony — but with eight royal styles to choose from, many find it hard to pick. This guide covers how they differ, which suit the morning ceremony, and whether to rent or tailor.
The 8 royal Thai dress styles
The eight styles (Chut Thai Phra Ratcha Niyom) differ in formality, fabric and how the sash (sabai) is draped — a broad overview below (suitability depends on preference and theme).
| Style | Character | Formality |
|---|---|---|
| Thai Ruean Ton | Simple, cotton/silk, three-quarter sleeves | Casual–semi-formal |
| Thai Chitralada | Long sleeves, elegant, no sabai | Semi-formal–formal |
| Thai Amarin | Brocade, no sabai | Formal (evening) |
| Thai Borom Phiman | Long sleeves, fitted, brocade | High formal — popular for weddings |
| Thai Chakkri | Diagonal sabai, elegant | High formal — very popular for weddings |
| Thai Dusit | Wide neckline, sleeveless, embroidered | Formal (evening) |
| Thai Chakkraphat | Layered sabai, most elaborate | Highest formal |
| Thai Siwalai | Sabai + long sleeves, luxurious | High formal |
For the morning wedding ceremony, the most popular are Thai Chakkri and Thai Borom Phiman for their elegant formality, while more casual events might choose simpler styles like Thai Ruean Ton/Chitralada — ultimately choose by preference, body shape and theme.
Choosing by part of the day
Many couples wear more than one outfit in a day:
- Morning ceremony → a royal Thai style (Chakkri/Borom Phiman, etc.)
- Evening reception → often a gown / Western wedding dress
- The groom pairs with a Rajapaten jacket / Thai outfit to match the bride
Rent vs tailor (+ price ranges)
| Rent | Tailor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | commonly thousands–tens of thousands/outfit | higher, by fabric/embroidery |
| Fit | adjustable to a degree | best fit |
| Keepsake | no | yes |
| Good for | single wear/multiple outfits, budget control | perfect fit/keeping it |
Prices vary widely by shop, luxury and embroidery — include the outfit in the budget from the start and compare shops (see How to Budget a Thai Wedding).
Tips for choosing a Thai dress
- Book/fit early, around 4–6 months (matching the checklist), especially for popular shops
- Choose a cut that suits your shape and lets you sit/walk comfortably (the morning ceremony has the water-pouring, sitting a while)
- Coordinate the tone with the theme and the groom's outfit
- Allow time for fittings and alterations before the day
Plan your whole wedding in one app
Control the outfit budget with Wedly
The outfit is a category that balloons easily (especially with multiple changes). In Wedly you log the outfit, hair and makeup costs against your budget and see the impact on the total instantly, and add "book/fit outfit" to your checklist so it isn't forgotten.
Summary
The royal Thai dress comes in eight styles, differing in formality and sabai draping — Thai Chakkri/Borom Phiman are popular for the morning ceremony. Whether to rent or tailor depends on budget and whether you want a keepsake. Choose a comfortable, on-theme cut and book early, and the bride's Thai look is elegant all day.
Frequently asked questions
How many royal Thai dress styles are there?
There are eight — Thai Ruean Ton, Thai Chitralada, Thai Amarin, Thai Borom Phiman, Thai Chakkri, Thai Dusit, Thai Chakkraphat and Thai Siwalai. They differ in formality, fabric and how the sash is draped.
Which style suits the morning wedding ceremony?
The formal styles like Thai Chakkri and Thai Borom Phiman are popular for the morning ceremony for their elegance, while simpler styles like Thai Ruean Ton or Thai Chitralada suit more casual events. It depends on preference and theme.
Should we rent or tailor the Thai dress?
Renting is cheaper and suits a single wear, while tailoring gives the best fit and a keepsake but costs more. If wearing several outfits in one day, many rent to control the budget.
How much does a Thai wedding dress cost?
Rental commonly runs from thousands to tens of thousands of baht per outfit depending on luxury and shop; tailoring costs more depending on fabric and embroidery. Include it in the budget from the start and compare shops.
Ready to start planning your wedding?