By Xiao Changyan (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-11-20 10:44

His neighbour Wang Limei ordered a super thick coat for her arthritis-ridden grandmother.

"I also brought two of my old short coats to ask the tailors to change them into one of those trendy long coats, " she said.

Cotton-padded shoes, handmade sweaters, wool trousers and stocks are also traditional necessities for beating back a Beijing winter. Although their popularity is waning, there are still a few stores in Beijing that provide such commodities.

Nei Lian Sheng and Bu Ying Zhai in Dashilan'er are both well-known shops for traditional handmade shoes. As the old Beijing saying goes, "Shoes are the first symbol of a true master."

According to Nei Lian Sheng craftsman Wang Binsheng, such a pair of shoes takes about 20 steps to finish. To make the shoe's sole, for instance, shoemakers need to cut the shape, place the cloth, hammer the sole into the shoe, insulate the shoe and stitch the twine to make the unique "Qian Ceng Di" shoe bottom. This type of shoe is made of many layers of cloth stitched together.

In the old days, the shoes of nobles were also embroidered with golden-threaded depictions of auspicious animals, clouds or flower patterns.

"The most popular shoes for the winter right now are cotton padded shoes with silk coverings and 'Qian Ceng Di' soles," Wang said.

There are also a few stores knitting handmade sweaters and socks, like Da Xin textiles in Dongsi and Zhi You Hui. Craftsman there can also teach you how to make your own sweater for a low price. The average price is about 80 yuan (US$10).

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