Slope to office
Tired of chasing every new fashion trend? This autumn, an old look is making a comeback — and it may already be hiding in your wardrobe.
Among young professionals in China, the "apres-ski" look has recently caught on. The French expression literally means "after skiing" and originally referred to the socializing and leisure that followed a day on the slopes. Now, the look has left the mountains and made its way to the office.
The basic idea is simple: pair a sporty piece with an otherwise polished outfit. Try a shell or technical jacket with a satin or A-line skirt. The jacket keeps you warm and shields you from the wind, while the skirt makes the look office-ready — or even suitable for a last-minute meeting.
The style means less time agonizing over what to wear, less need to change between different parts of your day and, best of all, no need to shop for new clothes. The pieces may already be in your wardrobe — you just never thought of wearing them together. It also works throughout the day, from commuting and shopping to traveling and everything in between.
Perhaps that is what busy professionals want from fashion: style without fuss, comfort without compromise. "What's really worth learning from the apres-ski look is not another fashion label, but a simple reminder that comfort can look good, too," one Xiaohongshu user commented.
Tastefully tasteless
A slice of Baumkuchen soaked in milk, served in a wooden bowl and filmed through a low-saturation filter that makes everything look slightly faded — this is the latest food trend sweeping Chinese social media: "danfan", or "light dining".
The idea of "dan" — meaning subdued or restrained in spirit — is not new among young people. Last year, "danren" became a popular term for people who are emotionally steady and seemingly indifferent to material desires. Now, the concept has evolved into a visual aesthetic and made its way onto the dining table.
"Danfan" typically comes in tiny portions and is deliberately unflashy. Food is often boiled or steamed, or simply soaked in milk or other dairy products.
But looking understated does not necessarily make a meal healthy.
Some followers bought the same milk-soaked Baumkuchen featured by influencers, only to find it "sickeningly sweet".
That is hardly surprising. Cake is often high in refined carbohydrates and added sugar, while milk contains lactose, a naturally occurring sugar. Even a small portion can therefore raise blood sugar levels.
Ultimately, a balanced diet is about more than appearances: getting enough protein and dietary fiber matters, too. Food can be both healthy and enjoyable — not just Instagrammable.
