Culture Society, Identity and Belonging
Chinese millennials are mounting a small-scale scruffy insurrection against intense work pressure and economic uncertainty by showing up at the office in sloppy clothing and posting videos on social media under the hashtag #grossoutfitsatwork. Mutinous slouching has been a tool of China’s youth since Covid, with the counterculture “life flat” movement rejecting careers in high pressure jobs – thus undermining the state’s instruction to strive. Revolting clothing first appeared in February when user Kendou S posted a video on Douyin, China’s TikTok sister service, sporting pyjamas at work that her boss called “disgusting”. The hashtag spread across social media platforms, creating a competition for the most repulsive work outfit. China’s leader Xi Jinping told young people to “eat bitterness”, meaning “endure hardship”. Perhaps that’s easier to do in fluffy slippers.