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When in history did it become possible for Chinese people to afford a proper warm coat? Historically, the broad stabilization of the Chinese population to the point where an average person—specifically a university student—could reliably afford their own proper winter coats and leather shoes coincided with the economic reforms of the late 1970s and 1980s . [ 1 , 2 ] However, looking at the intersections of university access, economic class, and basic clothing tells a more complex story across three distinct historical eras: 1. The Imperial and Republican Eras (Before 1949): Elitist Affordability Before the mid-20th century, modern higher education in China was almost exclusively reserved for the wealthy elite. [ 1 ] The Clothes: In the early 20th century, the standard university uniform for men was the Zhongshan (Mao) suit or long gowns paired with Western leather shoes, while women wore the Wenmingxinzhuang (civilized new outfits) or early Qipao . [ ...