Why more women in China are buying men’s clothes episode artwork

EPISODE · May 29, 2026 · 10 MIN

Why more women in China are buying men’s clothes

from What in the World · host BBC World Service

Some women in China are unhappy with how brands are making women’s clothing. Posts on the social media site Xiaohongshu show just how awkward the sizing can be. A video of a tiny dog squeezed into a size L women top went viral as proof that brands label tiny clothes as much bigger than they actually are. Now many women are turning to menswear for its durability, quality and low cost. BBC Chinese reporter Eunice Yang explains the trend in detail.This isn’t just happening in China. Gender and age in fashion have been getting more blurred. Fashion Psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell explains why we could all benefit from shopping in any department.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Benita Barden and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Emily Horler

Some women in China are unhappy with how brands are making women’s clothing. Posts on the social media site Xiaohongshu show just how awkward the sizing can be. A video of a tiny dog squeezed into a size L women top went viral as proof that brands label tiny clothes as much bigger than they actually are. Now many women are turning to menswear for its durability, quality and low cost. BBC Chinese reporter Eunice Yang explains the trend in detail.This isn’t just happening in China. Gender and age in fashion have been getting more blurred. Fashion Psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell explains why we could all benefit from shopping in any department.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Benita Barden and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Emily Horler

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Why more women in China are buying men’s clothes

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This episode was published on May 29, 2026.

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Some women in China are unhappy with how brands are making women’s clothing. Posts on the social media site Xiaohongshu show just how awkward the sizing can be. A video of a tiny dog squeezed into a size L women top went viral as proof that brands...

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