Men's fashion mags have no connection with the real world

I am honored to have become a "fashion consultant" for a 40-something man who is well built except for a slight tummy. I see him as a kind of "fashionable old scholar". I take the job of choosing clothes for him rather seriously, as this tells me a lot about 40-plus Chinese men.

At their age, they have been "poisoned" by fashion trends such as green army uniforms and blue police uniforms. Even without any idea of real fashion, they now find themselves in times when everyone is expected to dress in style.

Some of them are clearly at a loss and give up trying to fit in by grabbing whatever clothes they can find. But my new client is different. He represents the few "uncles" who have realized that if they dress inappropriately, they'd be condemned by society.