Job Discussion Forums

donb2222 · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 134

Leaving for China soon to seek a job teaching, and I was wondering what clothes I should bring. I realize that it is probably very cheap to buy clothes in China, but I do need some clothes to get started.
So, what is the typical dress code for a teacher ?

Thanks !

wulfrun · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 167

searching for "dress code", "clothes", etc. within this forum should bring up similar past discussions.

in general, no code: plenty of the notorious "guitar-toting slacker-teachers" turn up to class in shorts, t-shirts, hoodies, etc. so as a rule of thumb for a newbie, i'd say do yourself a favour and wear something with a collar, avoid jeans and sports shoes and the aforementioned stoner-wear. that can go some way to show others that you're there to do a job, not just to get drunk and chase girls. (unfortunately there's a stereotype of westerners using the developing world as a playground...)

chinese teachers' dress code is perhaps just a little more relaxed than teachers in the west; very conservative, and black sweaters are quite popular (north of shanghai at least).

have fun!

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

It's easy to buy clothes in China if you are somewhat thin and not too tall or big-footed. Otherwise it is certainly an adventure to track down that XXXXXXXXL t-shirt that would be a 3X back home!

Listen, I'm a big guy, I'll never deny that. But I see some locals here easily just as big as I and they are wearing big t-shirts and sports jerseys, pull over fleece sweatshirts, coats, etc. Do they have all these things hand made for them? I'm kind of doubting it. Anyone have a clue (in Suzhou) where they are finding their big-man clothes?

platinum peyote · Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 4:05 am Post subject:

platinum peyote · Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 4:11 am Post subject:

As for dressing up smart for an ESL gig in China, what on earth for?

Ask yourself this: do your co-workers, principal/boss, students, cleaning lady etc treat you as a professional? Do you get the respect you feel that you deserve? Do you feel the pay and working conditions are great?

If you answered no to any of the above, I strongly recommend going to work dressed like 50 cent sans the bling.

justaprofessional · Joined: 27 Nov 2008 Posts: 22 Location: London

If you get fooled into working for one of the Chinese run joint-ventures you'll be expected to dress up.

Even as the paymasters in the main office wear what they want.

You're basically hired to be a face to prove to the parents that it's a foreign school to justify the foreign tuition rates.

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

Show the students some respect, even if they don't deserve it, by dressing appropriately. Dockers and a collared shirt are a good place to start when weather permits. In cold country, sweaters are the norm in winter.

Finding shoes that fit can be difficult. Razors made here are dull. I finally ran out of imported ones . Socks are also a problem. Good quality stuff can cost more here than in another country. Didn't used to be so.

I don't play the "clothes as a means of gaining respect" game, but I understand it. Almost certainly, you'll do better by dressing properly.

bradley · Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 235 Location: China

I agree with wulfrun.

And I also think that if more teachers dressed appropriately that we would be more respected.

Peter Wales · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 63

Clothes do not the teacher make.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

evaforsure · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 1217

China.Pete · Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 547

"I realize that it is probably very cheap to buy clothes in China, but I do need some clothes to get started." -- Don B

Only cheap clothes are cheap in China. Name brand clothing such as you would buy in a department store in the West, which is the most likely to be sized and look the way you're used to, will cost 2-3 times what you'd pay at home. But if you're prepared to shop in the markets, or have your shirts and pants tailor made using easily wrinkled fabric (and hire and ayi to iron them), you could get by pretty cheaply. But, anyway, dress codes among teachers, if there is one you could dignify with the term, are pretty, um, casual.

theincredibleegg · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 224

Smart casual works fine.
Spend some time on getting the right size and match colors properly.

A lot of foreigners in China can't dress: White sport socks with black dress pants; over-sized necks; over/under-sized tie; jacket that does go with the trousers; worn-out shoes etc.

Don't buy your stuff at parknshop either.

Any FT who can't wear either formal or smart-casual properly should go plain casual.

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

I'm not having a dig at anyone here and I'm not really for schools dictating a dress code that is overly strict (so don't jump on me) but everyone should try this.

Day one: Go to class wearing your usual attire, if it is casual or smart/casual.

Next day, wear decent enough trousers and shoes and a shirt and tie. (Weather permitting)

Whether you see yourself as a professional teacher or not, you will feel more professional on day two, guaranteed. Feeling professional inspires one to act professional. Everyone benefits.

Itsme · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 624 Location: Houston, TX

Chinese teachers are often seen wearing the usual black dress pants with dress shoes and some sort of collared shirt.

It would be nice for you to at least try and look professional. They won't make a big deal out of it but it helps to look the part.

I would buy these things in your home country as I do not find the Chinese clothing (in China) very durable. I have had stuff break days after buying them and the colors fade really quickly after washing a few times.

Unless you go to a big mall where everything is 1000 RMB a piece. In that case, I still have clothes that look good as new!