Written by Valerie Luu; photographs by Andria Lo
Chinatown fashion combines urban utilitarianism with smart, unexpected combinations of prints. Their use of color makes you feel uplifted whenever you see it. They’re fashionistas — worthy of any street-style blog.
If you were to replace the 80-year-old senior with, say, myself, I would look undoubtedly hip. Unfortunately, I don’t possess that same knack for fashion, but I wanted to meet these fashion-forward seniors and document their style.
This photo essay is a month’s worth of excursions with photographer Andria Lo and translators Tricia Choi, Kat Wong and Michelle Yeung. It was a month of cold and hot tea and dim sum meals, and of many seniors being open with us, sharing their outfits and telling us their stories, from the feet up.
Floral and Bright—Yu Tom
We met Yu Tom, 76, and her daughter, Charmaine, the weekend before the Lunar New Year, when everyone rushes to Chinatown to buy up fresh citrus, kumquat trees and cherry blossoms. They had lived in Chinatown for 35 years but currently reside near Cow Palace.
Her daughter said our timing was interesting because her father had just passed away a month ago, and this was her mom’s first outing since.
“My dad always liked bright colors,” she said, when I asked her why her mom wore two different shades of purple, a common Chinatown aesthetic. In a way, it seemed like Ms. Tom’s tribute to her husband.
Also on Ms. Tom was a long-billed cap because “she cannot stand the sun.”
“Sometimes she wears it sideways, so it looks a little hip-hop,” giggled Charmaine.
I asked her about the layering in Chinatown. “The elderly like vests to keep warm,” she said, pointing out that it’s not as bulky as a long puffy jacket.
“The hat, the vest — it’s all like a security blanket for her,” she said.
Heartfelt Fedora—Li Nan Ping
We spotted Li Nan Ping walking down Stockton Street on his way to tea with his son. Even at 95, the former schoolteacher treks down from his house on Broadway Street to read the paper and relax over tea — a ritual he’s enjoyed during the 40 years he’s lived in Chinatown.
We were enamored by his velvety fedora cap. “I’ve had it for the past 20 years,” he said. When asked why he enjoyed the hat, he says he bought it because it spoke to him. “I felt it in my heart,” he said, patting his chest.
When asked him to describe his style, he said “warm.” He had eight layers on that day, each one creating a Saturn-like ring around his neck.
The Most Handsome Couple in Chinatown
We saw them at Portsmouth Square and frantically made a beeline for them. The were both in a brown, earthy palette, with matching cheetah sweaters and furry hats. He didn’t want to pose for us or reveal his name, but thanks to the persistence of Kat, our translator, she bantered with them long enough for them to agree to a portrait.
And yes, they did match on purpose.
The Rascal—James Yang
Andria spotted James on one of her outings. His outfit is typical of many men in Chinatown: monochrome — all beige, gray or black.
Her prefers wearing suits and slacks instead of jeans, like “young people.” When Andria took his picture, he exclaimed, “I’m a real fox!”
The information he gave was hard to believe. He told Andria of his ties with the mayor, his grand education in foreign countries and that he could speak 17 languages. But with that rascally smile, you’ll nod and listen and take his bio, but with a grain of salt.
Three Silks—Yok Lan Chung
We cornered Yok Chung, a 90-year-old Chinatown resident, outside a grocery store on Stockton Street. She was a bit taken aback at first by the three of us, a gaggle of girls touching her tweed coat and complimenting her on her layers of silk—a jade blouse with a purple paisley shirt underneath and a black-and-gold paisley scarf around her neck.
We loved the silk on silk on silk. Her daughter, who’s been with her in Chinatown for the last 40 years, was a little less impressed when I asked her for some insight on Chinatown fashion. “What is there to write about?” she grunted. “There’s nothing special.”
But if you notice details, there certainly is much to write about.
Sweet Peach—Shi Ping Tung
Shi Ping Tung had on three different prints when we noticed her pushing her cart down Jackson Street: a yellow Tropicana floral blazer, a blue plaid scarf and a burgundy checkered vest. She revealed four patterns after she unbuttoned her jacket and showed us a purple plaid shirt.
“All my clothes are gifted,” said the 80-year-old fashionista and Chinatown resident of 15 years. “My friends give me all my clothes. I never have to buy anything.”
She had such a sweet look that it’s no doubt that people just want to give her things.
“People give me food too,” she said. She recounted how just yesterday, she was walking down the street when a stranger pet her on the head.
“Normally, people don’t like that, but I didn’t mind,” she said. “I smiled, and he gave me a big juicy peach.”
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The Best-Dressed Man in the World—You Tian Wu
It was the last day of our shoot. We went to Young’s Dim Sum and shared a table with this older gentleman, clad in an all-red suit and a bolo he had fashioned out of old Mardi Gras beads. Our eyes grew wide when we realized that he was “The Best Dressed Man in the World” — a guy our friend Pete Lee showed us pictures of on the Tumblr Accidental Chinese Hipster. He was famous.
We talked to Mr. Wu, 82, about his fashion philosophy: “When you’re young, you don’t have to care about fashion. But when you’re old, you have to.”
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