Recently, while reading an unofficial report on the proceedings of the trial of GuKailai, I noticed something that has long fascinated me about modern China. Thosefollowing the news may have seen that Gu, the wife of fallen Communist chief Bo Xilai, has just received a suspended death sentence for poisoning a British businessman. Yet it was not legal improprieties that caught my attention, these seemed about par for thecourse of a Chinese criminal trial. Instead, it was another facet of contemporary Chineseculture that attracted my attention, the ubiquity of the polo shirt. The report includedpictures of Zhang Xiaojun, Gu's alleged co-conspirator, and prominent Beijing attorneyShen Zhigeng (who despite allegedly being Gu's first choice to represent her was onlyallowed to attend as an observer), both sporting polo shirts. Compare this to anyAmerican courtroom and the difference is stark (even Michael Jackson wore "suits" to histrials).
The Polo Shirt (originally called a tennis shirt), has come to dominate Chinanearly as completely as the Mao-suit (generally called a Sun Yat-Sen suit in Chinese) did. True,the highest echelons of China's leaders don suits and ties for photo ops. But, the poloshirt, along with its illegitimate cousin, the short sleeve dress shirt, dominates among allother strata of white collar workers. They are in evidence even in colder months, whenthey may be covered by a suit jacket and long sleeve versions also feature prominently.Unfortunately, the polo shirts favored in China often lack the monochromatic simplicityof more traditional western equivalents (see pictures). Many contain dizzy arrays ofcolors and/or over-sized logos.
Yet, much of China is sweltering in August and the wearing of climatically appropriate clothes should certainly be encouraged. By contrast, the Japanese government has an ongoing campaign to persuade Japanese men to shed their dark wool suits during the summer months.
The polo shirt has become so central to officials' wardrobes that it may even act as a de facto currency. A couple years ago, this blogger heard a story from a foreignertrying to start a small business in Beijing. In order to smooth over his relationship withlocal authorities, his connection helped him provide a "gift" to the local police.Specifically, he was advised to offer two extra-large (sizes run small in China and beer-guts are standard issue for mid-level officials) polo shirts from any one of fiveprestigious brands and not to cost less than 1,000 RMB (at that time approximately$127). Already amused, the foreign entrepreneur was staggered when he was politelyinformed that an upscale shop did not stock any polo shirts under 2,000 RMB.
The adoption of the polo shirt could be interpreted as a rejection of Communist Mao suits in favor of an article of clothing that is consummately capitalist in its showcasing of logos. Without a doubt, it is an example of a Chinese twist on conspicuous consumption. Instead of expensive tailored suits, designer ties and glittering cuff links, nouveau riche Chinese seem content to purchase ever pricier polo shirts. Partially, this may be because it is easier for novice capitalists to recognize logos on polo shirt than subtler hints of opulence, such as fine Italian wool and expert tailoring. Yet, even if Gu's co-defendant had opted for the finest three-piece Mohair blend that Savile Row had to offer, the guilty verdict was probably a forgone conclusion.