How to dress better in Hong Kong
Cosmopolitan Hong Kong is located in the south of China, at various times it belonged to the British Empire, then the Celestial Empire, today the metropolis has a special status. The name of the city translates as “fragrant harbor”, it is here that the dizzying rhythm of the city, the tropical climate and the amazing nature merge together. The special inviting atmosphere attracts many tourists from all over the world. Travelers are often concerned about what things to take with them and how best to dress in Hong Kong.
The local Hong Kongers themselves were considered very fashionable back in the 2010s. By 2025, the Chinese have already caught up and are just as stylish as Hong Kongers.
The subtropical climate of the richest legendary city is clearly divided by seasons, largely depending on the strength and direction of the monsoon. There is no other place on earth with sweltering heat and high humidity, where mountains occupy a significant space, where there are all the “gifts of nature” – storms, tsunamis, typhoons and earthquakes. Local TV weather forecasts about sunny days and rains often don’t come true, so you shouldn’t completely trust them.
In winter (mid-December – February) it is clear, sunny and mild, the air temperature ranges from +11… +20 °C. It is cool at night – no more than +14 ° C, relative humidity — 60%. However, after the Russian snowfall and cold weather, tourists feel like they are in paradise here. The sun does not appear often during this period, there may be only a few warm days during the entire vacation, and it rains. Warm clothes are necessary even during the day. It’s usually coldest in Lantau and Disneyland. In winter, there are short periods when the air temperature drops below +10 ° C. For this period, you just need to have a down jacket, a warm jacket or a coat.
Most vacationers take a down jacket, a spring jacket, warm socks, as well as winter and spring-autumn boots or ugg boots to Hong Kong. Some tourists prefer to bring warm shoes or sneakers instead of boots. You will definitely need a hat, scarf, gloves. Cold, biting winds are blowing outside, so it is imperative to have warm clothes. However, if the sun appears, then it gets hot in autumn clothes, it becomes more comfortable in a sweater or a thick sweatshirt. It happens that you feel comfortable in jeans and a warm Olympic jacket during the day, and in the evening you have to wear a down jacket. There is often no heating system in the rooms at night, so it can also be very hot.
Spring begins in March and lasts until mid-May, the air temperature during this period varies from +17 to +27 ° C, heavy rains occur. It’s quite warm during the day, but cool in the evening. The traveler needs to bring a warm sweater, a sweatshirt, a jacket, and a raincoat. By this time, the earth has not yet had time to warm up, it is cold from below. Therefore, even on a sunny day, there is a risk of catching a cold. Due to the high humidity, there is often drizzle and fog. Humidity increases in April and March, but these months are considered favorable for visiting Hong Kong.
In summer (mid-May – mid-September) it is sunny, the air temperature is + 27… +33 ° C, at night + 26 ° C, relative humidity — 86%. Even on the hottest day, you can feel the high humidity typical of Hong Kong. This is the rainiest season, with maximum rainfall in July and September, typhoon season, and heavy downpours. Record rainfall (400 mm) falls in June. Movements of air masses provoke the occurrence of hurricanes.
Clouds and wind can fly in like lightning, it happens that nothing is visible on the street except a wall of rain. The water temperature rises to +24 °C, and the bathing season begins. The local beaches are safe and comfortable, equipped with anti-shark nets. In summer, you won’t need a jacket, just take a pair of light sweatshirts, cotton clothes, dresses, shorts, long-sleeve shirts, a swimsuit, an umbrella, and comfortable shoes.
In autumn (mid—September – mid-December) it is sunny, warm and, as a rule, cloudless, the air temperature ranges from +17 to +30 °C. This is the best time to visit the mysterious city, when it is not very rainy, not very hot and not yet cold. At the beginning of the season, it is absolutely comfortable in shorts and T-shirts, it is worth taking a long-sleeve sweater and a light coat with you. The local population already wears a coat at this time of the year. October and November are not bathing seasons, but some tourists enjoy visiting deserted beaches, so it’s worth bringing a swimsuit with you. In December, the winds start to blow, so you have to wear sweaters and jackets.
Due to the high humidity, clothes dry slowly here, so it’s worth taking a few jackets, windbreakers and warm sweatshirts with you. During the rainy season, clothes can dry for 2-3 days and will still remain moist to the touch. To feel comfortable traveling, you need to choose outfits made of high-tech fabrics that dry quickly. Especially for a trip to Hong Kong, you should stock up on practical shoes made of synthetic materials that are impervious to water. Tourists often take flip-flops with them, in which the water does not linger. Ideally, you need to bring several pairs of shoes on the road. Those who plan to visit dense forests on the islands should stock up on high rubber boots that will protect their feet from snake bites.
At any time of the year, air conditioners are turned on at maximum capacity in transport, offices, homes, and shops in Hong Kong, so even in hot weather, it’s worth taking light clothes on the road. At every turn in the city there are vending machines selling disposable umbrellas that save you from short-term rains. After the downpour is over, an inexpensive umbrella can be thrown into the trash. When typhoons approach, warning signals are sounded, public transport stops working, and shops close. There are special warning signals about the approach of heavy rains. If a heavy rainstorm is expected, then everyone should definitely take shelter in the building.
In the evenings, many tourists go for a walk to admire the amazing Symphony of Light laser show or other wonders. Hong Kong at night is flooded with lights, for which he even got into the Guinness Book of Records. For evening outings, it is advisable to bring evening dresses and sparkling jewelry. To go out to a restaurant, ladies need evening trousers or cocktail dresses. Men will need suits, ties, and coats. The city-country with a vibrant nightlife will not let tourists get bored.
Hiking is well-developed in Hong Kong, and you can walk around indoor pedestrian areas for a long time without stepping on the sidewalk. The city is conducive to walking. In the evening, many tourists get tired of the hustle and bustle of the city and are happy to go to city parks or out of town, so you will need comfortable shoes for long walks. It is worth taking warm clothes with you on excursions, for example, when traveling to Big Buddha, since it is quite cool when climbing the funicular. Tourists often experience heat stroke, so you need to bring hats, sunscreens, and water bottles.
If a traveler has forgotten something at home, then you can purchase the necessary goods in Hong Kong. Prices here are low for absolutely any clothing, successful shopping can pay for the entire trip. This is due to the fact that there is free trade and very low taxes on products. It is difficult to accurately calculate how many boutiques, markets, shopping malls and shops are open in the city. There is an expensive Central area where people with fat wallets buy clothes and other things. The same items can be purchased cheaper in the Mongkok area and elsewhere. Those with very little money should go to the wholesale market in the Shanghai Street area.
However, it should be borne in mind that many stores offer Asian-sized clothing to customers. Overweight tourists may have trouble finding the right swimwear, trousers, windbreakers, and other outfits. Therefore, you will have to go through many outlets before you can find clothes of the right size. For those who want to purchase something unusual, you can contact the atelier of the city and order individual tailoring of dresses, shirts, evening dresses or fur products.
Not only Chinese people sell goods in Hong Kong, but also Arabs, Indians, Blacks, etc. You need to bargain everywhere. Most Hong Kongers speak English with a peculiar pronunciation, so it is often difficult to understand them, you will have to explain yourself with gestures. It also doesn’t hurt to take price writing sheets with you. Sellers smile politely and at the same time sell a lot of both excellent branded items and cheap fakes.
For example, a tourist is often shown a great suit, given a low price, then told that the product is out and offered another one at a very high cost. Even the police are powerless in the fight against such scammers. When shopping, tourists need to keep an eye on their pockets. Bags should not be left unattended on crowded streets. You should not trust merchants who offer to make a profitable deal, and you need to be careful when exchanging currencies.
In Hong Kong, Asia is mixed with Europe and America, while the ancient Chinese traditions are carefully observed. The local population dresses in the latest fashion, just like in Paris or London, many are obsessed with brands. Almost everywhere you can find men dressed in stylish expensive suits and beautifully dressed women with elegant bags.
Young Hong Kongers are very relaxed, with a mix of California and Japanese styles in their clothes. For example, young girls can often be seen in pleated dresses or in ultrashort shorts and large, coarse boots worn on their bare feet. Bank clerks and employees are busy, and they wear white shirts and business suits at any time of the year. Police officers wear perfectly fitted British-style uniforms with shoulder belts and shoulder pads. The doormen of prestigious hotels, according to the colonial tradition, stand in luxurious liveries and turbans.
Any type of clothing is acceptable in Hong Kong. You should know that cleanliness and modesty are important for the local population. Women should limit themselves to conservative dresses, blouses, skirts, and suits. It is preferable to choose suits and skirts. Men who are engaged in business should wear dark suits and Western-style ties and good watches. When choosing a wardrobe, it should be borne in mind that white and blue shades are considered the colors of death in Hong Kong, red symbolizes hatred and malice, and green — infidelity. For social events, you should not choose white or blue suits.
Tourists are not allowed to appear in beach clothes in public places and on the streets. Topless sunbathing is considered offensive. To blend in with the urban crowd, you should choose jeans and hoodies. On weekdays, Hong Kongers wear business suits and casual clothes, while the local population loves the color black. On weekends, everyone changes into shorts, T-shirts, flip-flops. T-shirts and flip-flops are practically not worn here. The alleys and streets of Hong Kong are usually dirty and wet, so it is optimal to choose closed shoes to protect yourself from unnecessary bacteria. Hong Kongers usually wear comfortable dark shoes. Tourists can be immediately seen by the white sneakers.
The weather in Hong Kong is unpredictable at any time of the year, so the best option is to dress in several layers. It is best to choose things that can protect you from the cold, sun and rain. Even in the warmest season, it doesn’t hurt to put a light jacket, a long-sleeve sweatshirt, a scarf, and an umbrella in your suitcase to protect you from rain and sun. Due to the high humidity and heat, you should not choose tight-fitting clothes.
When traveling to Hong Kong, you should be prepared for any hysterical vagaries of the weather. This city combines incompatible things, and you want to come back here again and again. You can relax comfortably here at any time of the year, the main thing is to prepare properly.
January
If you live in Hong Kong, and thus have a whole wardrobe of clothes of varying degrees of insulation, this article is not for you – you’re fine as it is. This article is for those who are going to Hong Kong in January and have no idea what to wear, what to take with them, whether it will be cold or not.
So, first, check out the weather forecast for the next couple of weeks if you’re already packing your bags. Historical weather data in Hong Kong in January can be viewed on our website.
Be sure to take it with you:
- warm clothes, warm sweaters;
- warm trousers (not ski pants, but just slightly insulated), jeans or hiking pants;
- a windbreaker will also be useful, especially with protection from wind and moisture.;
- hooded jacket;
- long sleeve sweatshirt;
- The scarf will come in handy;
- comfortable shoes, absolutely.
It gets colder in the evenings in the city, and if you decide to walk along the embankment or take a boat to go to one of the islands, you will definitely feel cold without warm clothes.
It will be superfluous and completely useless.:
- swimming trunks or a swimsuit (only if your hotel has an indoor pool);
- shorts;
- T-shirts, tops (save for another season);
- umbrella (rain in January is extremely rare).
Seriously, don’t expect to swim in Hong Kong this season.
February
If you are going to travel to Hong Kong in February, you should think about the right equipment and clothes, so as not to bring too much, and not to forget what you need. As we have already written, February in Hong Kong is a fairly mild and dry month. This is a great time to choose one of the hiking routes and take a walk (more on this in another article). It rains extremely rarely, but in the evenings the temperature can drop to 12 °C.
Before planning your wardrobe, you need to familiarize yourself with the weather for the next few weeks. We collect weather data in Hong Kong in February on a special page.
Be sure to take it with you:
- a light jacket;
- light sweater, light sweatshirt;
- jeans or hiking pants;
- a long sleeve sweatshirt;
- a windbreaker that protects against wind and moisture;
- comfortable shoes, absolutely.
The above list does not mean that you need to take it all at once, but rather options from which to choose and what you may need.
If you plan to go hiking in nature (along mountain trails, for example), you should take comfortable shoes, think about wind protection and do not forget comfortable backpacks.
It will be superfluous and completely unnecessary:
- T-shirts, tops (it’s a little early);
- umbrella (probably won’t be needed in February);
- swimming trunks or a swimsuit (only if your hotel has an indoor pool);
- shorts
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