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Lu urges nation's men to try out an island-wear shirt

Some amateur models exhibit different styles of ''island-wear'' shirts during an event to promote the shirts yesterday. PHOTO: WANG MIN-WEI, TAIPEI TIMESN

On the eve of Father's Day, Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) yesterday recommended Taiwanese men adopt "island-wear" shirts, which are designed based on cultural characteristics and help protect the environment.

Most men working in Taiwan have experienced a cruel torture -- having to wear a heavy formal Western-style suit outside in the summer. Excluding mountainous areas, the average temperature in Taiwan, which straddles both the tropical and sub-tropical zones, is about 24?C. In summer, between June and September, the average temperature is about 28?C.

Due to the convention of wearing Western-style suits at work, most buildings set their air-conditioning quite low in summer to maintain a cool working environment.

The island-wear shirts are designed with the idea that the cooler clothes mean air-conditioners can be set a little higher, thereby saving energy.

Lu recommended 48 different styles of the shirts for men, which are designed to give working men a "summer of elegance." All are made from local fabrics.

According to Lu, in a bid to respond to global calls to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve energy, the government has collaborated with the textile industry, research scientists and clothing design circles.

"We hope to take advantage of outstanding technologies, further creating a well-known world brand with a distinct Taiwanese flavor," Lu said.

The display show organizer invited amateur models -- actually workers employed in a variety of professions -- to demonstrate the comfort and convenience offered by the shirts. The audience then selected their 20 favorite styles from the collection. A national-level selection of the nation's island wear shirts will be held in March.

Lu said that Taiwan's national costume should be decided jointly by the people and added that in this way a new image for Taiwanese men in the 21st century could be created.

"I strongly encourage Taiwanese men to show Taiwanese characteristics and their manly air in these newly designed shirts," Lu said.

Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷), who has called for a casual-dress code for governmental officials, yesterday also attended the event. Wearing a light-blue shirt with a Hakka flavor, he said he enjoyed the convenience of the new shirts.
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