Shanghai - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
You'll find people rolling out in head to toe Versace standing next to someone in full-fleece pajamas. Chinese people like to dress up but their idea of dressing up isn't exactly what an American would think. Dressing up is basically long, black baggy clothes for men and really short shorts for women. Formal dress is good to have, along with a couple good suits for men and evening wear for women. - Nov 2020
Dress code is business to business casual within the consulate, depending on one's section. In public places, one could see a wide array of dressing choices ranging from pajamas, micro-skirts, sweatpants, to high-end street fashion. - Apr 2017
Business. - Oct 2016
It depends on what social class you want to travel in. You can definitely tell the difference here. - Dec 2014
Depends on where you work, but generally go for business casual to formal. Watch what your co-workers wear. For public, anything goes, really, though women here tend not to show much cleavage except when they're going out to a nightclub. - Aug 2014
Casual all around. You will see some very funky outfits in Shanghai - Chinglish T-shirts are quite popular. - Aug 2011
Shanghai is an international business center, and appropriate dress is always recommended."Shanghai Appropriate" also includes an acceptance of business casual in many settings. - Dec 2010
Fashionable, trendy. - Jul 2010
For younger women, short skirts and thigh high stockings seems to be the order of the day. Other than that, seems consistent with other large metropolitan cities, perhaps a bit dressier. - Feb 2009
Work: business formal. Public: depends on the venue, ranges from casual to trendy/chic. - Jun 2008
