The word Ao means jacket or ‘top’ and the word Dai means long, and the costume consists of two pieces comprising a full length top and pants. The costume has been worn in Vietnam as early as the 18th century, and during the 1950’s the garment evolved to be the tight fitting design we see today. Ao Dai’s must be tailored to fit the individual and a good one will often take weeks to complete. Even though the costume covers everything, it flatters the woman’s shape and is noticeably feminine, provocative and charming. There’s a Vietnamese saying that the Ao Dai "covers everything, but hides nothing".