Following fashion in Thailand

Yes I dont wear lace-up shoes......

Since I live in Chiang Mai fashion is a semi questionable issue. In part because there is such a large tourist population here, along with weather conditions. Since the tourists are from all over the globe there is a wide range of fashion. Plus, this being something of an inexpensive destination fashion is not always an objective. I do notice that the new young Chinese like to dress up, even if they are here on a tight budget. I also notice that Thai girls don't like to wear helmets when they drive a motor bike because it messes up their hair, even if it's against the law. Thai men dress with collared shirts, long pants, with shoes and socks (even though Thai shoes look funny).

There is not a special «Thai fashion». Most Thais wear the international style, influenced by Japan and South Korea. The traditional dresses are only uses for special occasions.

I dress «traditional» or wear the Thai fashion only at these special holidays like Songkhran or when we are invited to a special event.

Hi Priscilla,
As a general rule, I don't really follow the fashion code of Thailand, though I have had to change my dressing style a bit to fit in. Its hard to find people who dress in romantic, edgy, and hip classical clothes these days. I am not sure if this is only true of the upper high middle class or not since this is where I fit in the social scale.

I have never been a follower of fashion.When at home I dress in shorts and a decent shirt and sandals. Never wear T shirts let alone the "wife beater" T shirts.When I go to Government departments like 90 day reporting etc I wear long pants and never denims and a decent muted colour office shirt creme,blue etc and shoes and socks.I beleive to show respect to these government employees
When I visit the Temple at times with my GF I wear the same as to Government offices
The climate has dictated for me to change my dress style
I have always hated wearing a tie even when in the Corporate Jungle of Johannesburg and I have no ties to wear here.

I have something to add to my first post:

During my first visits, I dressed like a tourist, means short. Now, I have adapted to the Thai business style a little bit and always wear long pants in public,.

In some cases I wear also closed shoes and a long-sleeved shirt.

Living in Thailand now I will say yes I have changed some. When out in public I do try and dress a bit better then I did in America. What I wanted to mention was that I see so many westerners here dressing very offensively by Thai standards. Woman wearing skimpy bathing suits to the mall.... Men walking around with no shirts on. Once a dude ( probably gay which is ok here) but walking down street with a speedo bathing suit and flipflop on, and nothing else... I was surprised he hadn't been arrested. Thailand is more conservative then the west....