Summer Fashion

Just like the food, I do have people asking me what the weather is like in Shanghai right now as well as what are people wearing around town. Right now, it's summer and it's hot.

The weather mimics Arizona weather. They have two seasons here as well...hot and cold. But because of the high humidity (around 85%), it's REALLY hot and it gets REALLY cold. I don't relish the summers and Allen really isn't looking forward to the winters here. Also, because of the extra moisture, ie, humidity, water ALL over town, close to the ocean, and this area being a swampland of sorts for centuries on end, there are a TON of mozzies (mosquitos)! Ack!

Allen was here in June and he said there was not one bright and sunny day - not one. He mentioned the temperature was warm and the sky was overcast all of the time, with some rainstorms. It sounded similar to our Arizona monsoon season. However, July and August, there have been plenty of bright, sunny days with the occasional passing thunderstorm. We have gotten mild to very loud thunder overhead. These past couple of months remind both of us more of Hawaii...it's amazing how quickly the dense overcast skies lighten and move on, leaving lots of sunshine. It's amazingly hot here. I honestly couldn't think of any place hotter than Arizona..until I moved here. I miss Arizona. Here, it feels like you could cut the heat with a knife every time you step outside. You sweat just standing outside for more than a minute. Ack!

I already mentioned in another blog how the Chinese people, especially women, are adverse to sun exposure. Since many of the Chinese people transport themselves by bicycle, scooter or walking, they have designed some clever clothing to cover up while on the aforementioned modes of transportation.

I see women (everywhere) wearing a shawl of sorts across their shoulders. It is shaped like a shawl, with arm holes (and a finger band) and a tie in the front to hold it in place. The entire garment is made of very thin material as to keep them cool, but ward off the sun as well. It is also loose and can often be seen billowing out around them while they are scooting around town. The collar often has some kind of lace to also help ward off the sun from the neck area. The women also use arm sleeves while riding in the sun, which cover from wrist to mid-upper arm. I have also seen the po' woman version...a kitchen towel wrapped around their entire face, head and neck. The shawls I mentioned are not available in western stores. You have to walk the back alleyways and more "local" shopping areas to find them.

Also, the women have many clothes that have a layer of sheer material on top with an underlining opaque piece closer to their skin. the sheer layer is often seen on the upper chest, down the sides and the arms. I imagine these shirts help to keep them cooler. I have even sometimes seen JUST the sheer piece with the bra underneath showing. I figure these women feel the bra itself is a layer of clothing. Hey! It's so hot here...who am I to judge when I desperately want to shed all my own clothing just to cool down!

I once read a blogger's point of view and she had mentioned that every summer, out come the little nylon socks and she wasn't quite sure why the women wore them in the summer since it's so hot here. I completely understand the little sockies. It turns out that it is sooooo hot here, your feet sweat like little piggies in your sandals. The sockies are to prevent you from sweating in your shoes, even your sandals. But Chinese women don't often wear sandals. You will see many of them wearing pumps while walking, bicycling and on their scooters. I can't believe how far these women walk in pumps all day long! Ouch! It's looks very uncomfortable. These women here have calves of steel...I'm not kidding!

Umbrellas are the season's biggest hit in the summertime! Out comes the sun...out come the umbrellas! Since the umbrellas are used for both the sunny AND rainy seasons here, almost every store or restaurant have umbrella stands next to their entrances.

The little tykes don their split pants all year round, even in the summer. I see little boys walking around town with little board shorts or denim shorts with pockets (like you would see at Old Navy), but sure enough, as they walk by, you can see their little tushies. I have seen many little girls wearing both traditional silk dresses (with Chinese design and embroidery) AND more contemporary dresses and clothing as well. Many of the International Schools require uniforms, so I imagine that I will see many kids in their school uniforms once school starts.

Many times, we will see older Chinese people in what looks like PJ's. They will be walking around very busy touristy shopping areas as well as more local areas, looking as if they don't have a care in the world...especially about their clothing. I assume they are out for comfort, not fashion. If you walk down the alleyways of the "local" residential areas, you will see...all kinds of things. *chuckle* Prepare yourself!

Generally, everyone here wears what they want...new or old clothing, bright or subdued colors, spots combined with stripes, very interesting color combinations, etc. The men and their business suits tend to be darker colors, which go better with darker skin and black hair. The younger crowd tend to be a little more conscientious of the latest fashion trends, ie, hair, clothes, style, etc.