ADVERTISEMENT

Having lived in China for quite a while, I’ve seen a lot of unusual things. In fact, many Chinese and foreigners get so used to weird occurrences and weird Chinese fashion that people just generally ignore them.

On my Instagram page, I try to provide cultural context for why things in China happen the way they do, by explaining some of the history, the culture, or the language, and how these things influence behaviors or even a fashion sense.

The page is not all about street fashion though. It's anything that you can ask the question of ‘Why?’ or ‘How did that happen?’ to, with the general classic answer being ‘No why’ #nowhy (Chinese response) OR ‘because China’ #becausechina (foreigner in China response).

The general explanation for some of the fashion trends and choices below is that:

  • Any English = educated, different and fashionable. (it could possibly be a famous brand, but if no one’s English is that great… then just by having it… no matter what it is, it’s already good)
  • Anything ‘profound’ is considered good. If you as an observer don’t find it profound…that’s your fault. The wearer is making a statement, and that’s what’s important.
  • The wearer doesn’t have to understand, because others most likely don’t understand…so who cares. Even vulgar, rude statements can be worn by kids… because no one knows any different.
  • If the actual piece of clothing is functional and comfortable, who cares what’s written on it.
  • A haircut should set you apart from everyone else. Many people have very similar or standardized hairstyles (Chinese people are aware of that too) If a haircut creates conversation then that’s awesome.

Here are a few examples I've caught in my street photography shots…quite a few of them, actually.

More info: Instagram

#1

Pink Freud

Pink Freud

Report

Enuya
Community Member
6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I need this shirt. Where can I obtain one?

View more comments
RELATED:
    #2

    I Would Definitely Wear This

    I Would Definitely Wear This

    Report

    #3

    Follow Dreams

    Follow Dreams

    Report

    #4

    Masturbate your way to success!

    Masturbate your way to success!

    Report

    Luis Milian
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    build your success with your own hands. LOL

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Danger

    Danger

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    I Just Don't

    I Just Don't

    Report

    #7

    I'm Batman

    I'm Batman

    Report

    Enuya
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    God, now I can't unsee Batman wearing a pink nightdress...

    View more comments
    #8

    Think Less

    Think Less

    Report

    Luis Milian
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know a few people in US Congress that needs this ASAP

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Bear Attack And She Survived, Good For Her

    Bear Attack And She Survived, Good For Her

    Report

    #11

    Got Life Figured Out

    Got Life Figured Out

    Report

    Luis Milian
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is like tattooing a Chinese symbol not knowing what it really says. you just wear it proudly

    View more comments
    #12

    If You Think

    If You Think

    Report

    Han
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Testicles are just d**k titties.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    A Bit Of Nationalism Coming Out There...

    A Bit Of Nationalism Coming Out There...

    Report

    Han
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Brilliant. The KKK is sadly relevant. I'd rock this.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    Leave Me Alone

    Leave Me Alone

    Report

    Steve
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I need this for when I'm at work. Or anytime, in fact.

    View more comments
    #15

    China Fashion

    China Fashion

    Report

    Lef
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I want that. I'd wear a jacket over it and if anyone pisses me off I'll just unzip the jacket and tell them to read what's on my shirt.

    View more comments
    #16

    Make A Woman

    Make A Woman

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Hipster Triangle

    Hipster Triangle

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #18

    Shark Soup

    Shark Soup

    Report

    DC
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is definitely no mistake!

    View more comments
    #19

    Asia

    Asia

    Report

    Enuya
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait! This is not Australia?! I was wrong all my life ...

    View more comments
    #20

    How Old Are You? And Just How Drunk Are You?

    How Old Are You? And Just How Drunk Are You?

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #21

    A Bit Morbid, But I Wonder If I Can Get It In Yellow... Would It Be Less So?

    A Bit Morbid, But I Wonder If I Can Get It In Yellow... Would It Be Less So?

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #22

    Beep, Beep!

    Beep, Beep!

    Report

    #23

    Need To Stop Feeding The Cat Vegetarian Food

    Need To Stop Feeding The Cat Vegetarian Food

    Report

    Luis Milian
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have four adopted cats. I NEED this shirt!!

    View more comments
    #24

    Sexy Style

    Sexy Style

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #25

    Feline Good

    Feline Good

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #26

    I'm Not Leaving This Blanket

    I'm Not Leaving This Blanket

    Report

    Symbole Simple
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is not fashion, it's a life style I relate to!

    View more comments
    #27

    I Do Feel Happy Now

    I Do Feel Happy Now

    Report

    #28

    I Needed That Today

    I Needed That Today

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #29

    The Pig

    The Pig

    Report

    CatShatBrix
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Something tells me that pig has done some... things.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #30

    Hand Wash

    Hand Wash

    Report

    Symbole Simple
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Someone got the laundry symbol font size wrong...

    View more comments
    #31

    Pervert

    Pervert

    Report

    Rob Chapman
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't think that's something to be proud of

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #32

    Am I French Yet

    Am I French Yet

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #34

    You Learn Something Every Day

    You Learn Something Every Day

    Report

    Wynand
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One small step for doggos, one giant leap...

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #35

    Let's Not All Live Like This

    Let's Not All Live Like This

    Report

    #36

    That's... Taking Things To Extreme

    That's... Taking Things To Extreme

    Report

    Symbole Simple
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Does she realise she's been robbed? Someone literally 'picked her pocket'!

    View more comments
    #37

    Some Sweet China Style... So Fashion

    Some Sweet China Style... So Fashion

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #39

    Good Point

    Good Point

    Report

    Pumbaa
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think he got a point there! F**k yesterday, focus on today and the future.

    View more comments
    #40

    I'll Be A Plastic Toy

    I'll Be A Plastic Toy

    Report

    Anne
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like Michael Jackson in the background

    View more comments
    #41

    Too Much Profoundness

    Too Much Profoundness

    Report

    Daria B
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yep. That's a different way of saying "Netflix and chill", no? ♥ (well, she's a public figure, would match more to my statement if it were the name of an actress/actor)

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #42

    Wait, What?

    Wait, What?

    Report

    Monday
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Apples groundbreaking new product? The iDots?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #43

    Addicted To Black

    Addicted To Black

    Report

    #44

    Good Advice, Rarely Taken

    Good Advice, Rarely Taken

    Report

    #45

    I Ate A Rat

    I Ate A Rat

    Report

    Bill
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Street vendors in Thailand sell bbq rat.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #46

    If I Ask Where You're Going, Will You Be Confused?

    If I Ask Where You're Going, Will You Be Confused?

    Report

    Han
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I made a T-shirt in high school and wrote on it in puff paint "Don't follow me I'm lost too." It was 1988 and I thought it was so cool. Hahaha

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #47

    Because... They're Easy?

    Because... They're Easy?

    Report

    Ksenia M
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "My name is Bob Kelso and I like whores"

    View more comments
    #49

    Beat

    Beat

    Report

    Monday
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do we beat him until he gives up? Do we give up when the beating doesn't make him give up? I need this information!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #50

    Oh Good, Noing... That's What I Needed In My Life

    Oh Good, Noing... That's What I Needed In My Life

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT