Are you looking for the latest business attire etiquette guide? Are looking forward to establishing a successful business in China? Well, you are at the right place. Here at Laowai Career social media pages, you will get to know more about business attire dress code, business attire do’s and don’ts and the best business attire Pinterest ideas. It’s also important to note that the business attire guidelines present on this page are for westerners who are planning to relocate to China.

Chinese Business Etiquette

In China, the knowing how to dress for any business meeting or occasion is very valuable. How you dress at work or during interviews will display how professional and responsible you are. In most cases, your business attire should reflect your position and environment. For instance, if you work in a business environment, you should follow the general business attire Pinterest guidelines.

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 men

A 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 shirt 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 attire. Here’s a difference between the two dress codes:

Business Casual

Just 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 Professional 

This 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.

Business attire for cabin crew interview.

Before mentioning anything else, you should know that airlines like it when their flight attendants are spotless – they should look presentable with shiny shoes and always neatly ironed clothes. A good business attire for cabin crew interview should give you an out-of-the-box look. Therefore, you should dress sharp. Suita is a must and hair must be neat. Girls should pull back their hair. Your hands should be moisturized, and nails neatly manicured and clipped.

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.

Simple business attire do’s and don’ts

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.

Are you ready for that job interview in China? After reading the business attire etiquette guidelines, you should get that job. It’s essential to know that how you dress reflects about 55% of your personality. The Chinese business attire dress code is not very different from that of western countries.

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