Clothing

With China already one of the world’s largest producers of textiles, and with Hangzhou one of China’s most famous textile producing centers, it is no wonder that a wide variety of quality brand-name garments designed for export can be purchased here at inexpensive prices incredibly below market.

For example, a name-brand cotton garment sells for just USD 5-10. The ground floor of the Yellow Dragon Sports Stadium, just one block from campus, has a wide variety of discounted clothes and shoes. At the same time, several international fashion designers have already established their presence in Hangzhou, with posh boutiques by Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani, Miuccia Prada and Guccio Gucci. In April, 2005, world-renowned Italian fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana (D&G) opened their mainland Chinese flagship store here, bringing a touch of Milan style to Hangzhou. So if you want a USD 700 pair of ripped jeans, you can purchase that here too, and then have a meal for 70 cents just across the street.

There are several outdoor supply stores as well, with a large range of gear and clothing for hiking enthusiasts. Not every style of footwear for women over size 7 and men over size 9 can be easy to find, however, in Hangzhou. Please bring adequate foot ware for the year if your foot is well beyond these size ranges, including sandals, street shoes, trail shoes, and shower slippers. Likewise, if you have a full-figured physique or are taller than 185 centimeters (6' 1") you may have difficulty purchasing a wide variety of clothes that fit well, although the availability of such shoes and clothing is changing quickly as more textile products are produced in China for export. Remember, just about every consumer product in the United States that bears the label “Made in China” is available in China and for less.

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