SSM vs. EB

I was in Shanghai about 2 years ago and noticed a street trend that I dubbed “socka-too-mee sockmunchers” (SSM). Wherever I went, young and old sported the look – flesh-coloured knee-high pantyhose which were two shades too light, worn quiet loosely around the ankles, with sandals. It was really disconcerting because China’s big cities are supposed to be one of the fashion capitals of the world.

I wondered what was the purpose of knee-highs. Was it because the humidity made it difficult to wear full length pantyhose? Was it because they wanted to get more wear out of their pedicures? Or did the knee-highs make for nice ankle bracelets. To this day I’m still not quite sure what the answer is…



I did, however, see a men’s trend that really baffled me (maybe more than the ladies). Men walking around in shorts and tee shirts, hoisted up like a stage curtain to reveal their dim sim bellies.

Although these trends were all the rage, we did seem to find some nice Escalator Boots (EB’s).