[Cheshire Cosplay] Azur Lane Qipao Styling: Dried Fish Rain at the ACG Expo

Ever since receiving this light blue Qipao-inspired outfit, I had been eagerly anticipating wearing it, and today I finally brought it to the convention floor. The overall color scheme is a crisp, translucent ice blue paired with pure white, topped with that wide-brimmed lace hat for instant recognition. For the wig, I specifically chose silver-gray hair with dip-dyed ends that echo the ribbon colors on the hat; combined with blue contact lenses, this fully maximized the character's radiant aura.

I especially want to highlight the cut of this garment. The halter-neck ties across the chest combined with sheer mesh inserts keep it breathable while maintaining refined detail along the neckline. Cutouts along the sides of the waist and golden tassel ornaments give the one-piece suit rich dimension without feeling plain. The biggest delight is that ultra-long white plush shawl—it is remarkably fluffy, cascading nearly below the knees, with its ends adorned with extensive gold embroidery and yellow tassels that sway gently with every step. Many convention photographers focused specifically on capturing this detail. The only slight challenge is the shawl's substantial weight; paired with wearing high heels throughout, maintaining an upright posture required solid core engagement.

For footwear, I chose glittery light-colored pointed-toe heels with small blue bows on the toe cap, unifying the palette. The lace trim of the white over-the-knee stockings sits right at the mid-thigh, which, combined with the high-slit skirt hem, visually elongates the leg shape significantly. Some might think walking around the convention hall in this setup all day would be exhausting, but by slightly adjusting the center of gravity and ensuring proper shoe sizing, enduring most of the day was completely manageable.

The indoor lighting at this expo was very advantageous. Overhead spotlights cast down, giving the garment fabric a subtle sheen—especially the blue sections and golden embroidery threads, which caught the light with shifting halos from different angles. During the shoot, I tested several poses: holding a support stand with one hand, opening my arms naturally, resting casually on the floor, and a tight shot focused on the legs. However, I feel the pose with both arms raised best captured her overall aura, with the shawl draping naturally, my posture fully extended, and the lens framing a clean background.

Regarding the inspiration for this styling, it originates from the Qipao series in the game's 2D artwork. I strove to align with the original illustration's expressions in makeup and details while adding a touch of my own interpretation—such as keeping the eye makeup softer rather than exaggerated, since overly heavy eyeshadow can look distracting in reality. The plush shawl feels delightfully soft to the touch, though care had to be taken to keep it from sweeping dust off the floor, so I carefully lifted it between locations. Several fellow fans recognized the character and came over for photos, and that straightforward joy of recognition was truly wonderful.

Overall, the photoshoot experience was exceptionally smooth, and the photographer skillfully framed the angles to bring out every advantage of the garment's tailoring. The combination of light blue and White tights cosplay is remarkably photogenic; furthermore, this design with a vintage, elegant touch avoids looking overly revealing while providing plenty of eye-catching appeal. If I encounter similar Qipao styles in the future, I might experiment with different hairstyles or accessories to unlock new vibes, but for now, I am extremely pleased with this set. In the end, putting effort into what you love makes every bit of fatigue worthwhile.