Sorry if this sounds naive - but I'm unable to find any quick answers here or elsewhere online.

Leaving this afternoon for Denver, and will be flying from there to Shanghai on Thursday morning. I'm packing now and need some advice for clothing...

Specifically, are shorts and tanks okay for a 20's-something female? Flip flops okay for footwear? (I wear my flip flops all over our ranch and everywhere else, so not concerned with comfort).

Again, I know this sounds a little silly, but it just occurred to me that there might be appropriate and inappropriate choices for clothing.

I already have 2 pairs of linen pants, some short and long sleeve tops, a knee-length skirt... but wanted to add a pair of shorts and some sleeveless tops.

Thanks in advance for any advice!!!

Shorts and tank tops are fine in Shanghai as long as you do not plan to dine at upscale eateries. Flip flops, too.

Thanks!!! Forgot to add the rest of the itinerary - after Shanghai, we're off to Xi'an, Datong, then Beijing. Any suggestions for those?

With the amount of spitting that occurs, I was glad to be wearing closed-toe shoes.

I would wear shoes with better tread than flip flops; dusty, slippery steps, huge variety of surfaces (gravel, concrete, stone, dirt), and, yes, there is a lot of spitting. (In the cities, girls dress VERY girlie-girl, including nice shoes.)

Thanks, everyone! I have flip flops plus a pair of Puma sneaks and a nicer looking pair of close toed shoes.

Didn't think about spitting as a concern, but that's good to know.

BTW, as long as your shorts and tank aren't "skanky" (to use my daughter's [she lives there] term), you'll be fine in them.