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Walk Beijing’s streets and you’ll see labels (and flesh) galore. Although Chinese girls traditionally keep their top halves covered, hemlines are soaring. Hip-hop wannabes and local art school students add further colour, with psychedelic clothes and dyed manes. So, although there are no rules of dress in Beijing, one factor that may affect your choice is the weather. In summer, the air is dry and the sun is scorching, so wear lightweight clothes (with sleeves in the evening to protect against mosquitoes). In winter, temperatures can fall to -10 degrees, so thermal underwear, scarves, hats and gloves are a must. Beijing is reportedly the centre of China’s fur trade, and you can see members of the Russian community wearing mink coats throughout the winter months. Spring and autumn are mild, usually only requiring a sweater or light jacket, but beware of sandstorms in March and April, when a large cotton scarf wrapped tightly around your head can provide some protection.