张（上图左），是簋街粗粮人家餐厅的服务员，穿戴一套印花套装，一双简略的黑布鞋，梳着麻花辫。除了有点像睡衣这点缺乏外，这套制服看起来很有吸引力，这非常契合餐厅复古的个性。

'I like my uniform because it's unique and looks nice,” she says. 'It's very comfortable.'

“我非常喜爱我的制服，由于它看起来很共同，很不错”，她说，“而且它很舒畅”。

As in most countries, uniform wearing begins from a young age in China. A student at Beijing No. 55 Middle School, 12-year old Fu (below), wears the mandatory tracksuit school uniform in blue, white and red. The tracksuit-style uniform has been worn by schoolchildren for more than two decades.

“We’re inviting you to bring your personal taste and handcrafted style to work,” Star told workers in its new policy. “As ambassadors of the Stars brand, you should feel proud of your own look as you tie on the green apron.”

“咱们期待你在作业时展示自个品尝与手作个性，”星巴克在新的指导方针里通知职工。“身为星巴克的品牌大使，你在系上绿围裙的时候，也该为自个的表面感到骄傲。”

Calin以为，未来将会愈加注重制服的外观，她说“我国女人越来越介意自个的表面。她们作业的当地也需满意她们的这一需求”。以New World Hotel酒吧的职工为例，“她们穿黑色短裙，摇滚风的鞋子，画着烟熏妆，这带给人一种非常酷的形象”。

But China's love affair with uniforms stretches far beyond hospitality. While there is no single explanation for this, it may reflect a more inherently collectivist culture, where self-identity is shaped by group memberships. In the workplace, or in schools, people feel a stronger sense of self if they are able to define themselves as part of a group.