Ah, ‘Plum Rain’…whoever came up with the misleadingly poetic moniker for the miserable three week stretch of humid heat and nonstop rainfall that graces us each June was clearly some kind of ancient marketing genius. Still, the denizens of Shanghai are nothing if not an adaptable bunch and, ever keen to retain their reputation as China’s most fashion forward urbanites, respond with an impressive display of rainwear. Bespoke’s former French Concession perch gives us the perfect vantage point from which to view the annual fashion parade, and for those interested in updating their wardrobes, we’ve included information on where you can ‘get the look’ yourself.
The Two-Man Poncho
Attention thrillseekers, this one is for you! Dodging several lanes of traffic in a torrential downpour not quite risky enough for you? Then consider rendering effective control of your vehicle almost impossible by swaddling yourself and a passenger of choice in thick plastic! The ‘urban camel’, as we like to refer to it, is the bastard child of the traditional bicycle poncho and the ‘couples clothing’ we all know and, ahem, love. Get the look!
The Stiletto Cover
Representing the famous Shanghai ‘can-do’ sprit, Ms. Stiletto Cover differentiates herself from more practical commuters in one distinct way: even the onset of typhoon conditions cannot persuade her to contemplate flats. We like to imagine her striding in to her Plaza 66 office and triumphantly unwrapping her perfectly preserved Louboutins whilst casting a snarky side-eye at her soggy-footed colleagues who simply don’t have the same amount of foresight or taste. Get the look!
The Plastic Bag
A genuine old-school Shanghai classic, this is the wet weather equivalent of the vintage Feiyue shoes beloved of trendy French expats citywide. Nothing says ‘I don’t care about fashion’ quite as fashionably as this chic little number! Rumors of a specialty, ethically-sourced boutique on Anfu Lu had yet to be confirmed as Bespoke went to press. Get the look!
Want to shelter from the plum rain beneath Bespoke’s two-man poncho? Email us here.