Beijing street fashion is really unlike any fashion I have seen on a walk down any Main Street in any American city. It’s hard to capture Beijing fashion in a few words. Many think cute when they see the bows that frequent many shirts (male and female alike). Others observe the blazer top–sweat pants look with confusion. Even more debate what kind of statement short shorts over leather tights accompanied by the ever popular high heels make, and if that liberal expression of one’s identity is worth braving the 20 degree F winter temperatures.

The Chinese have a saying, 入乡随俗 (ru xiang sui su) that parallels the familiar English adage: When in Rome do as the Romans do. With this phrase in hand and an unyielding motivation to discover the ins and outs of Beijing culture I decided to try and don the most fashionable glasses I could find. Here in Beijing big, thick glasses are totally “in.” Have perfect vision? No problem! You too can look fashionably hip and cool because lense-less glasses are not only easily accessible, but a completely accepted social fashion statement.

prevnext

If you want to buy glasses in China, you don’t go to: Western catering districts (Sanlitun and Dongzhimen), malls or optometry clinics. You go to 潘家园 (Pan Jia Yuan). It’s the area of Beijing all locals go to purchase lenses. This place has streets of stores upon stores that sell glasses. I had the upper hand of local knowledge as my Chinese roommate directed me to a more secluded super mall situated behind the throngs of stores you first see. There, we (well, she bartered a lot more than me) for a pair of ridiculously awesome huge, black framed, hello kitty glasses. Before you get too jealous, you need to hear the price: 80 kuai (roughly $13 USD). That’s right, $13 and about two hours of bartering got me a unique set of frames sure to impress Beijingers and Foreigners alike and a free eye exam. To top off this amazing experience I also got my frames 30 minutes after the final price was negotiated and my eye prescription set. They made the glasses right in the complex.

For those who have not experienced the joys of ordering and purchasing glasses conventionally in America I can relay it to you here. The eye exam itself is at least $50 (Sam’s Club) and frames often $400 or more. You wait about two weeks and then you have that pair of beautiful glasses you forgot you ordered.

As you can see, ordering glasses in China is instant gratification. You see a pair you like, barter, pay and bam! You have a pair of swag, hipster, academic or trendy pair, all for a price most Americans and Chinese alike would think quite reasonable.

The fruits of buying glasses the local way: culture understanding, new words and phrases learned, a look into how people in Beijing can get glasses, fresh confidence to go out and see China, several compliments on the “cute,” “adorable,” “hip,” new frames gracing my face. How’s that for a shopping trip?