Expert: Pauline - 11/11/2004

Question
I am attending in a wedding banquet in Hong Kong very soon at the Hong Kong convention center.  I am unclear as to whether the appropriate dress is formal (long form dress) or semi-formal.  What is appropriate for dress and is there a problem if I wear all black to the wedding banquet?  Also, is it appropriate to wear blue jeans while site seeing in Hong Kong?  Thanks so much for your help!  Your quick response will be MUCH appreciated!

Answer
Hi Shari, thanks for your question. For a wedding , do not wear black! It's a color for funeral and sadness. I would suggest red, (not all red, of course) with red, you may pair with black. If you dont wear red (I dont) then you can consider some bright color and happy color. like pink, peach, purple... Something less girly: blue, yellow... As for a long dress, i think it should be appropriate for a wedding.

Wearing jeans for site seeing in hk? why not? Dressing is very casual there. In fact, in some residential neighborhood, you will see peple wearing pyjamas and flip flops on the street. While in shopping center or tourist attraction, you may wear as you were going out in the U.S.

I hope my answers help. and Have fun in HK!   (as i heard from friends, it's not that cold this year, but it's very humid, so bring something light, but a jacket as well!)

Pauline