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In China, the knowing how to dress for any business meeting or occasion is very valuable. It’s

still a rural society!

Business attire dress code.Just like in western countries, the business attire dress

code in China varies from one company to the next. The dress code is also influenced by the culture,

environment and industry. For example, the business dress code at a call center is very different from that of

a bank. If you aren’t sure about a company’s dress code, ask the supervisor or human resources manager for more clarification. However, a typical business attire

dress code includes wearing conservative suits in navy, black, taupe, beige, white and brown.

Business attire for menA man’s business attire will depend on the type of

position he holds. However, if you’re in Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong, wearing a nice suit during an interview is a good idea even if the job requires

outdoor or jeans clothing. Men who work indoors in an office setting should wear navy, gray or black

suits that fit properly. The shit should be long sleeved, white/light in color and cuffs shouldn’t be

rolled up or frayed. Instead of wearing tennis shoes, go for brown or black dress shoes.

What about women’s business dress code in China?For women, smart-looking pant suits and dress suits are

ideal choices for interviews and business meetings. Pantsuits should not be too tight or flowing. Instead,

they should be creased and tailored. The skirt in a dress suit shouldn’t go more than 2 inches above the knee.

Miniskirts are not appropriate in China. The shoes should have closed toes, not open toes. Lastly, the heels

should be conservative.

Business attire vs. business casual

Most people don’t know the difference between business professional and business casual. Business attire is the term used in various business settings.

Unless business attire is specified as business casual, you should assume that business attire refers to business professional attires. Here’s a difference

between the two dress codes.

Business CasualJust as the name suggests, business casual is not professional. Here, you will want to look appropriate for a casual office setting. Some good examples of what should be worn in a

typical business casual include; khakis, pants, open-collar shirts, dress, flats, nice sandals or

heels. Don’t go for jeans, sneakers, unprofessional heels or flip-flops.

Business ProfessionalThis setting has a clear set of guidelines. This is what you should wear when attending formal

business meetings in China. Most people go for suits and jackets. Darker and neutral colors are

very common. If you want to express your personality, wearing a simple necklace or a nice

pocket square without breaking the rules of professional business attire is acceptable.

Business attire ties or no tie

This is the most contradictory topics when it comes to business attire dress code. So should you wear a tie with a

suit? This is what you should know, wearing a coat without a tie makes you look goofy – at best this dress code makes you

look like a bank teller. Here are some tips for you:

• A button-down collar shirt with a soft American style casual blazer gives you a classic look with or without a tie.

• A suit is the most flattering attire for a man.

• No tie doesn’t have to means no pocket square.

So, what about Chinese business dress code and etiquette? In the past, Chinese business

attire included a specific type of suit, the Mao suit. It had a military-like appearance with two pockets on each side of the chest and a rugged design. Today, this isn’t the case. The modern

Chinese business attire allows men and women to dress casually and borrow some

dress code ideas from the western countries.

In China, men should wear a conservative suit and tie. Ensure that you

always wear a tie (neutral colors are preferred over patterns, flashy and bright

colors). It’s considered rude to remove the jacket during the meeting. Don’t

wear any jewelry unless it’s a wedding band or a classy watch.

As a foreign lady, you should embrace how Chinese business women dress up. They

are more conservative. Don’t go for anything revealing. For instance, the hem of your dress should be below the knee. Otherwise, it’s considered inappropriate. You should also avoid wearing extremely

high heels, flashy or large jewelry.

Do’s• Wear tasteful jewelry.• Go for business suits.• Wear a well-pressed button-up dress

shirt.• Closed-toe shoes for ladies, and

polished dress shoes for men.

Don’ts• Ladies shouldn’t wear anything too revealing or

too short.• Never wear casual khaki pants.• Avoid extremely high heeled shoes especially if

your hosts are shorter than you.• Men should not wear wrinkled clothing.• Never go for white socks.• Avoid leather casual shoes.

BonusClick on the link below to read the full blog post.

https://blog.laowaicareer.com/chinese-business-attire-must-know/

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