Dress Code

Different countries have different dress codes. But the same point is that you should wear suitably. As we know, the westerners are particular about clothes wearing. On different occasions, they wear different clothes. These occasions can be specified and include wedding, party, church, holyday, business, office and recreation and so on.

However, still some people hope to be special. For instance, when they are asked to wear black tie, they wear a pair of slippers; when they are invited to barbeque in the open air, they wear a swallow-tailed coat. Anyway, dress code is just dress code but not everybody use the same one.

Similarly, Chinese people pay much attention to their suit. As China is a very traditional oriental nation, it attaches much importance on etiquettes. Take dress wearing for an example. They think to respect others and esteem themselves, they should wear decent dress. So, it's infrequent to see Chinese girls in the very low dress in public. Wearing like that is a great challenge for them indeed.

As a foreign tourist who is getting around the coastal cities of China, you will seldom see bikini girls on the seashore. In many aspects, the easterners are more conservative than the westerners. Therefore, if you are a western lady, you are suggested to wear kind of conservative swimming dress. Otherwise, you will become a very eye-catching icon among the people.

During the traditional festivals like the Spring Festival, Chinese people like dressing them up to join the banquet. Mid-aged woman like to wear cheong-sam or skirt; man usually wear a suit. Indecent dress can make your dignity lost. Compared with senior people, youngsters would like to dress themselves semiformally even when they are on the banquet. Fortunately, the seniors are always very kind to forgive the juniors.

In addition, Chinese people like red color very much. At festivals or great ceremonies, they prefer to wear red clothing. Even if some people don’t like red, they also choose brightly-colored clothes. In their mind, red symbolizes luck and fortune; only bright colors can match the atmosphere of festivals. If you travel to China or visit your Chinese relatives during the Spring Festival, please prepare some brightly-colored coat in advance. This is so-called ' When in Rome, do as Romans do.'

If you are going to visit a Chinese family, please don't worry about your clothing. Although Chinese people value various etiquettes, they are not very fussy about their guests' clothes. As long as you don't wear too weird or body-revealed, it will be fine. Plain clothes are also acceptable.

When you're arranged to go on a package tour, you'd better prepare one formal dress at least, as sometimes the travel agency will arrange formal dinners, concerts or operas for you. If you look too unkempt due to your coat, you may not be allowed to enter in. For instance, if you come to Xian, China, you will have a chance to try the Dumpling Banquet and watch the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show. On these occasions, please dress yourself formally.

Useful Resource:
Chinese clothing shops: offers high quality Chinese dress, Chinese clothing, Chinese wedding and prom dress as well as cheongsam online.

Travelers' Voices on Dress Code

1.

Nov. 2,2009 07:14 Reply

Mrs.Hickman(Geermany) said:

I'm a lawyer and will see clients in Beijing in November. Now it is very cold in Beijing. How do I dress appropriately and still be warm. Will a warm overcoat be acceptable or must it be a formal coat? Will boots be acceptable or must I wear formal court shoes with heel? What about slipping on the ice?
Please help.. Must I wear a suit or can I wear a slack/pant-suit?

Nov. 3,2009 20:46
Mr.rita(cn) replied:

Hi, Beijing had its first snow on Nov.1st. Thus it is cold now. My suggestions is to wear your formal court suit and with a warm coat outside. There must be airconditioner in the hourse you worked, so just put off the coat when you are indoor.

2.

Oct. 22,2009 15:31 Reply

Mr.Charles(usa) said:

Hello,

Where can I order a swallow-tailed coat, and maybe a flag robe too, in China? I'll be there on holyday next month. Hope the taylor shops have stuff speaking Engrish.

Charles!

Oct. 24,2009 20:40
Mr.tina(singapore) replied:

I think there are a lot of shops who offer this service, you can have a look when you arrive china.

3.

Sep. 19,2009 22:00 Reply

Mrs.rebecca cummings(USA) said:

We are attending a evening wedding in China. Could you please suggest what my husband and I should wear?

Oct. 24,2009 20:39
Mr.jill(usa) replied:

you can wear dress and your husband can wear a suit!

4.

Sep. 10,2009 11:19 Reply

Ms.Lisa(Canada) said:

Hello,
I will be travelling to Shenzhen to teach high school in a few weeks. As the climate there is very hot (I am from Canada), are capri length dress pants acceptable (they are between the knee and ankle lenth). Also, I have a small butterfly tattoo on my ankle- will this be considered offensive if visible?

Sep. 12,2009 21:20
Mr.tina(cn) replied:

The tattoo is ok. You cloth is ok too. Do not worry. In china, alot of people have tattoo too.

5.

Sep. 3,2009 20:44 Reply

Ms.Rebecca(Australia) said:

hey, i was wondering if you could tell me what you would wear in the seasons of beijing?
eg. summer you would wear shorts and shirt ect
many thanks.

Sep. 5,2009 21:31
Mr.yina(cn) replied:

Hi, see this page and you will know the detail about clothes suggestion!
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/climate/beijing.htm

6.

Aug. 22,2009 20:19 Reply

Ms.Molly(Australia) said:

As a young womann staying in an urban centre and doing tourist things, what would casual and appopriate attire be? Are western clothes ok?

Aug. 22,2009 20:59
Mr.jim(cn) replied:

casual cloth is ok i think

7.

Aug. 16,2009 18:24 Reply

Mrs.Lisa(USA) said:

could you please tell me what "formal" dress means for a lady? do women wear pants for evening formal? formal to me is men in black tie and tuxedo and ladies in long evening gowns. We will be entertained by some business people.
also, in September, I will be in Beijing and other cities and was told during the day to wear jeans. is this acceptable?

thank you.
Ms. Lisa

Aug. 16,2009 22:34
Mr.jim(usa) replied:

A suit of Dress is ok, i think. Actually jeans is ok for the normal occasion. But if you are attending a business meeting, you'd better wear a suit of dress.

8.

Aug. 10,2009 12:13 Reply

Mrs.Fawzia(South Africa) said:

Hi, Thanks to Mr Cindy (cn) for your reply. That makes me feel better. My son is working there and we'll be spending time with him for a month. We may be invited by his superiors for dinner, etc. Please let me know whatever you can think of to make my husband and me fit in. Etiquette, conversation with his superiors, friends, etc. Thank you kindly.

Aug. 10,2009 20:03
Mr.yina(cn) replied:

Hi, superiors in china are always quite good. They just like the brother or sister of the students to help students with everthing either in life or study. So you do not need to be so serious, just wear a clean cloth is ok. Have a good time!

9.

Aug. 7,2009 15:37 Reply

Mrs.Fawzia(South Africa) said:

Hi, My religion requires me to wear a head scarf at all times when in public. I cover my whole body but do so modernly. How will the Chinese feel about the head scarf?
2. If we are invited for dinner, what do I wear?

Aug. 8,2009 20:14
Mr.cindy(cn) replied:

Hi, i know, i see a lot of people wear scarf in public. Actually, we feel it quite good, not strange, as we know that it is your culture.
If you are invited to dinner, you can wear whatever you like, you are not allowed to appear in public without the scarf, right? So just wear what you wear in usual. Do worry.

10.

Aug. 4,2009 14:34 Reply

Ms.Mary(USA) said:

I am preparing to come to China to teach in a university. I the weather has been very hot this summer. Are sleeves shirts acceptable for female teachers?

Aug. 5,2009 04:48
Mr.jim(cn) replied:

It is acceptable! In Sep. , it will become cold gradually.

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