During my four years in China, I couldn’t help but notice the fashion trends. If you ever feel the need to pass as a local in the Mainland, here’s the lowdown:

Get the T-Shirt

Buy T-shirts with any semblance of English words printed in big letters. This will boost your social cred considerably, giving you that multilingual jet-setter look.

If possible, get something you don’t understand, it will make you look superior to others who don’t either, but assume you do.

Show the world you know what Americans say and eat. Been there, got the T-shirt.

Hide your Height

Ladies, the most important rule is to never, ever reveal how tall you are. And I mean never. Ever single pair of shoes you own should make you at least two inches taller, whatever your height. Here are some popular choices:

For work:

For hiking:

For home:

 

Avoid the Tan

The second most important rule is to never, under any circumstance, expose your skin to the sun. It’s a bad, dangerous thing and every precaution must be taken.

Dress the Same

This is the easiest way to make your connection with someone known. Matching outfits with your boyfriend is a great way to stave off competition. “He’s mine, bitches!”

 

While it’s great to match, it’s also important to distinguish who’s who in the relationship. 

Matching your child’s outfit has the added benefit of making them easier to spot in a crowd.

 

Conserve the Environment

Avoid wasteful nappies, and let your kids do their business on the pavement instead. Baby clothes are designed with holes for just this purpose. Now that’s convenience.

 

According to general opinion, people in China are not afforded as many freedoms as people in the West. But when my culture dictates I must get dressed before leaving the house, then I see a Chinese woman out doing her errands in pyjamas, I have to wonder, “Who is more free?”

Images are my feeble attempt to take photos as I saw them on the streets in Xiamen. For all the times I wasn’t fast enough to pull out my phone, or brave enough to be caught doing it, I’ve used other blogger’s examples and images from articles, with links for you to read more about the wonderful world of Chinese fashion.