What the men say

Shanghai has China's most henpecked husbands?

Armpit hair here to stay

Leo Peng, 32, trade analyst, China

"No, I disagree. Both men and women are not very fashionable. Chinese women don't dress properly or have their own style. They both get an F. I think Chinese men don’t know what they can get from being fashionable. It’s a significant investment. You can make interesting friends, make the world a better place. Walk out of the door in good shoes and clothes and you feel better. You have better self-esteem. Chinese people were very fashionable in the Tang and Song dynasties, but during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76) the only fashion was wearing an army uniform. Now we have to start from the beginning."

Weiwei Fong, 34, entrepreneur, China

"Yes! But does it come from a Western perspective? The locals don't necessarily think they are casual. Polo shirts and long pants are quite formal for many in China. That's the most formal they’ve ever got in college anyway. For engineering or science nerds in China, most have never tried a suit, or a pair of jeans. Or leather shoes. For the conservative, or old-fashioned ones, fashion is like cheese. It only belongs to Westerners and is therefore irrelevant. For more liberal men, they will learn and they will learn fast, myself included."

Yang Li, 27, graduate student, China