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[linzbc]

I am packing my things to leave this week for Taiwan, and I need to know what to bring (in terms of clothes). Not that I'm worried about being haute couture or current or anything remotely like that, I just don't want to look like a fool, or inappropriate/slutty (not that I dress slutty but I certainly wear a lot of spaghetti straps etc in summer)

I have a friend who said that low cut tops, tank tops, or anything showing shoulders are scandalous there. Mini-skirts and short shorts, on the other hand, are quite common (completely opposite of current American fashion) Is this still true?

Is there anything else you've found that is a major difference between American and Taiwanese fashion? Anything that surprised you?

I'd like to bring things that are somewhat cute, but not inappropriate, and I know where the line is in America, but not Taiwan. My friend told me that one of the biggest mistakes she made was bringing nothing but "matronly teacher-like clothing".

[MomCat]

Hi Linzbc,

If you're in Taipei or a larger city, your spaghetti straps will be fine for weekend wear. Smaller cities in the south may be more conservative. Since the ladies here usually have none, cleavage is not seen and I'd recommend de-emphasizing it it you're full busted. Most women here are thin and have an "apple" figure, so they're quite straight up and down. They also tend to have shorter legs and a longer torso than many Westerners. The clothes you'll see here flatter and enhance that figure. The long bare (or legginged) legs with high heels makes the legs look longer. Here, compared to them, a tall, thin Western woman dressed the same way can look like a stork with rotund butt cheeks at nearly eye level. And, to my taste, many of the ladies here dress in overly cutesie baby-doll clothes (although often just black and white) with frills, ruffles, layers and a-symmetry. But they're tiny and can wear it well. Personally, if I dressed that way, I'd look like a goth wedding cake.

If you're teaching children, you can be more casual, long pants are fine but save the shorts for the weekend. I see tee-shirts and short sleeved shirts on my Taiwanese colleagues but anything sleeveless is under a small shirt, sweater or jacket. With shoes, anything goes.

If you're teaching adults a more professional look is expected. But Taiwan is hot and humid much of the time so it's, again, a more casual look (men wear ties, but not jackets).

If you're an average Western in height and weight you'll be able to buy clothes here quite easily. Taller and/or heavier and you will have a bit more problem.

Good luck and enjoy your stay here.
Cat