CLOTHING In this huge city, with huge amounts of people, there is a vast array of apparel. Quality, color, size, shape, material, brand name to no name — you name it, it’s here somewhere in the city, and someone is wearing it. In general, we’ve found the style & quality to be either very high, or very low. There is very little middle-ground here, so most items are cheap/fake or way overpriced. =/ Here is just a snippet of what I know….
100 rmb fake pair of designer men’s jeans
100 rmb tailored dress shirt
350rmb tailored jacket or trench coat, women’s
250-450+ rmb tailored dress – depends on material & detailedness
25 rmb fake Crocs
95 rmb cheap summer dress
285 rmb Smartwool (real) socks sold in an outdoor store
300 rmb nice men’s shorts
50 rmb cheap men’s shorts
40rmb all-silk scarf for ladies
300-400rmb for custom made leather flats for ladies (i’ve only been to one store, so that’s my only reference)
ANYTHING that is imported is going to cost more, no question about it. I bought Smartwool socks when I was back in NJ this time, and they were not on-sale. Paid between $15-18 for a pair, so it’s already expensive as it is. Here in Shanghai, a pair of Smartwool socks will cost 285rmb, which is roughly FORTY US DOLLARS. 40! Disgusting!
