Online stores rush to give the public the Apec New Chinese Suit look

The mainland’s online stores were quick to offer shoppers a taste of Apec – by putting up imitations of the “New Chinese Suits” world leaders wore to the Monday night ceremony for sale.

As of this afternoon, at least eight stores on Taobao.com, the mainland’s popular online shopping site, were selling copies of the suits and dresses.

Most of the stores were selling the burgundy suit with jacquard brocade, stand-up collars and raglan sleeves that was worn by President Xi Jinping. The sapphire suit for male leaders and the burgundy and sapphire dresses for female leaders or spouses could also be found at some of the stores. The prices vary from 170 yuan (HK$250) to 1000 yuan.

According to the online stores websites, the copies were made of tapestry satin, instead of the expensive brocades used for the real suits. Customers can receive the clothes within two to three weeks of ordering.

“The clothing worn by Xi will become popular for sure,” an online store owner told the Beijing News. “Ordering copies of the leaders’ clothing is mainly for the novel experience. The state leaders can wear them. Why can’t we wear them?”

The store started pre-ordering on Tuesday morning – after leaders at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum showed up in the specially designed clothing the night before at the National Aquatics Centre – and received more than 20 orders within hours, the owner said.