Shanghai - What to Wear

First published in Wearever the Weather on 2 April 2011.

Shanghai is like a fashion model. She has her glamorous catwalk days and days off where she is in sweats. On any given day in Shanghai, you are bound to bump into fashionistas strolling along in their Louboutin heels and Hermes bags, and factory girls lingering about in their T-shirts and knee length shorts.

Shanghai is boiling hot in summer and freezing cold in winter, so what you pack really depends on when you are going. Since summer is coming up, I will talk a bit more about the summer fashion in Shanghai.

My Stylist Packing List

Sightseeing in Shanghai calls for sensible shoes. That is because they have a vast amount of cobble streets in the touristy sites, such as the Yu-yuan Garden or the Zhou-zhuang. You will be best to have a pair of Teva sandals with you for that.

If you are going for a decent meal or drinks at the top floor of Grand Hyatt or Park Hyatt, it would be wise to dress up and fit in with the fashion savvy crowd. A sleeveless black dress with a pair of stiletto heels will do the trick.

Clubbing in Shanghai is mainly separated in two streams: expat and local. Clubs like M1NT and Prive are pretty much like what you can find in any other major cities around the globe. Put on a well-fitted tube dress and a pair of bling bling heels for a great night out.

Style Inspirations

Online Resources

Time Out Shanghai, found in upscale restaurants such as M on the Bund, offers all the secret hideaways of resident expats.

Shopping and Designers

For a more local taste of fashion, visit the City God Temple. There is a huge market outside selling Chinese styled clothing and accessories.

For an up market approach to Chinese fashion, go to Shanghai Tang. They provide exquisite qi-pao and silk scarves with oriental patterns.

Shanghai's trend is diverse, flashy, and flamboyant.