Call of Duty, the current king of video games, has just shown the next iteration in the series: Modern Warfare 3.  It also has been announced that Call of Duty would soon make its official debut in China with subscription plans estimated to earn $100m in its first year.

China already loves Call of Duty, and here is proof.  This Taobao shop creates replicas of Call of Duty’s ‘Task Force 141′ tactical jacket, as popularized by the character named Ghost.  Very similar to the way that the Bruce Lee’s megashop creates homage clothing.  These Modern Warfare fans have recreated Ghost’s outfit with a wide variety of sizes and options. Cotton-or down-filled, in a variety of sizes, or even custom made. Because when you zipline into a terrorist-filled oil rig, you can’t risk getting snared up.

Every task force should have one hot chick.

A while back I announced that I was going to start using exclusively tactical products.  If you tour my apartment, which is in the upper deck of a Russian submarine, you will find tactical dining tables (made to kick over in case of gunfights) , tactical dinnerware (throwing knives only),  and tactical Snoopy throw pillows (love Snoopy!).  Of course, I don’t invite many guests.

How do you know if something is tactical or not? Having patches is a good clue.

Custom Call of Duty-inspired tactical jackets are a special treat only afforded to us by the magic of Taobao. Enjoy it!

Wait until Dino Beach sees me in this!

Being a season pass holder to Shanghai’s Dino Beach 热带风暴 water park, I am in my bathing suit all summer long. And long ago I shed my baggy American board shorts in favor of the Chinese Speedo. I mean, I don’t want to look uptight in front of everybody.

Problem is, certain areas of my body seem… uptight in my Speedo. Save your cold water jokes. This is no laughing matter.

Ask for the cup size you’d like to be

Are you an expat in China who still wears your baggy board shorts to go swimming? You might as well wear a T-shirt while you are at it, Mr. Shy!

Shed your old fashion habits and embrace the modern Chinese swimsuit. Just be sure to give yourself this secret advantage.

Buy it on Taobao, the judgement free zone.

I have saved up all my Taobao VIP points…

I have saved up all my Taobao VIP points, and am thinking about what to buy. Being the Taobao Master Numero Uno, I have millions and millions of points, which can be used on most purchases to give me a cute little discount. And I think I know what I will spend them on. Will I be the first person in history to use a coupon on his purchase of a Lamborghini? Probably. But I won’t tell that to all the chicks I pick up. I’ll tell them that I paid extra, because paying extra is cool.

Millions and Millions

Don’t have millions of VIP points? You will have to pay cash. Prices range is between 4.5 million rmb and 6.9 million rmb.  They haven’t sold one yet (not in the official Taobao system, anyways) and probably never will.  It’s not exactly about that. Lamborghini is another in the long line of big brands to realize that to exist in the minds of the Chinese consumer, you need to be on Taobao.

Lamborghini~6888000rmb

Mankind has almost won its war against metal keys. Flat, pocket-friendly cards now grant me access to my apartment and office. And with the multi-use jiaotong transit card, we have even replaced car keys. Today, I have only one necessary key in my life – the key to my front door.

Until we upgrade our apartments to hotel-style key locks, we will have to live with this uncomfortable hunk of metal in our pockets. But we can take this key and put it where the rest of our old keys have gone: our wallet.

The Porter 819 wallet. This wallet has room for all your cards and money, and a keychain built right into it.

Porter, a Japanese brand, is certified practical man-fashion. Like so many things in Japan it is ahead of its time and made for the good of all man.

What is 愤青

愤青 fengqing apparently means angry, cynical youth. With this cool shirt, you can announce to the world that you’re mad and you probably hate stuff.  The font is just right.

But type fengqing into Taobao and you get a few other shirts.

That’s pretty much me. But it is not very fengqing.

That is the ultimate in fengqing style. And you see what kind of guy gets the girl.

Girls always appreciate fengqing style. But those boys are no good. They won’t treat you right!

Speaking of girls, Laobanniang tries to convince me that these T-shirts are not as cool as I think. What’s your impression?

愤青 fengqing T-shirt – 42rmb

Look Like Bruce Lee

The Bruce Lee magic extends beyond fist and philosophy. He was also a fashionable mofo. And Bruceshop rises to the challenge, capturing his unique look with his signature outfits. That starts with this killer piece – the yello Bruce Lee kung fu jumpsuit. This one-piece is 178rmb And everything here can be made custom made for a small additional charge (like 10rmb)

Even if you are not familiar with Bruce Lee, you may recognize the outfit. It is the Kill Bill special. Oh man it is so badass. You see those shoes Uma Therming is wearing? Yeah they got those too, for 222rmb in sizes up to 45.

…is probably a stronger choice if you are looking to wear it street style. (Society continues to look unfavorably on one-piece jumpsuit fashions.) Maybe you need both – one for combat and one for cocktails.

Bruceshop could have stopped there, content that they had delivered on Bruce Lee’s fashion legacy. But they forged on, digging through the archives and creating replicas of nearly every piece of clothing the man was ever photographed in. None of them are more than 200rmb.

That last one is my top choice. Although I am uncertain of the performance of my chest in this outfit, I am going to forge ahead like a fashion rebel.

Custom Bruce Lee Ninja outfits

In Enter the Dragon, Bruce Lee put on his ninja outfit and stuck into the evil guy’s fortress, discovering his nasty plans in the process. Eventually he got captured and immediately sat down to meditate (as shown below). You can get yourself a custom-fitted ninja suit complete with black shoulder bag for weapons and stuff. Highly recommended.

Bruce Lee Gold Pendant Necklace

If you are going for the Bruce Lee look and really need to get it just right, then you can’t go wrong with this piece. It supposedly was the original gold necklace worn by the man himself. 220000rmb.

Nciku is awesome!

If you are a technology-aware Chinese learner, then you definitely already know about nciku, the awesome online dictionary that has emerged as the de facto champion for online Chinese-English translation.

nciku polo – 50rmb

Show some love for your favorite web apps

Finally those geniuses have put their so-familiar-it-might-as-well-be-my-homepage logo on some sweet merch to let your Google-Translate-using friends what’s really up.

nciku coffee mugs – 9rmb

Everything is such a bargain! Now if only they will put their cool iphone app on the android, we would be all set. (Hint, hint nciku: port your iphone app to android please!)

http://nciku.taobao.com/

Homegrown China Styles

Once again, the superstar design minds in Beijing have generated a great clothing brand. NLGX draws its inspiration from the distinct flavors of China. They bring together the coolest bits of found design. Anything you buy here today is certain to become your favorite nostalgic item in a few year’s time.

Recycled Blue and White Bianzhidai Bags

Not only does NLGX use some of China’s best recycled iconography, they also use recycled materials from China’s signature sights. Like those blue-and-white-striped bianzhidai bags that are a common sight at the train station.  Those bags carry the hopes and dreams of migrant China on their voyage into the big cities. Re-purposed for your essentials.

Military themed magazines always catch my eye on the China newsstands. This one makes a formidable impression. Solid. Waterproofed newspaper lining completes the ultracool package.

PEK vs SHA

Equipping the combatants of China’s biggest intercity rivalry, NLGX has created apparel and accessories to let you rep your city – lest anyone forget which side of the battle you’re on. (Shanghai, represent!)

Taking after my own heart, NLGX has an airport fetish. Airport and metro styling are right up my alley, and I’ve had my eye on this luggage-tag style T-shirt for a little while.  They have a big sale going on these days – I think it is time to make it mine.

]]> http://taobaofieldguide.com/cool-stuff-to-buy-on-taobao/nlgx-brand-clothing-loves-chinas-recycled-design/feed 1 http://taobaofieldguide.com/cool-stuff-to-buy-on-taobao/bowling-shoes-are-for-man http://taobaofieldguide.com/cool-stuff-to-buy-on-taobao/bowling-shoes-are-for-man#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:41:18 +0000 The Field Guide http://taobaofieldguide.com/?p=3494 Reader recommendations welcome!

I’ve been suffering from some post-Alifest depression, as I realize that the next Alifest is 350+ days away. With this depression came some bad writer’s block. For the first time, I could find no delight on Taobao — my days were grey. It took a product suggestion from long-time Friend of the Field Guide to bump me out of my malaise. Thanks @msittig!

If you have a hot tip for the Field Guide, hit me up at my Twitter: @justtaobaoit

As a man, most shoes seem wrong to me. One very notable exception is the bowling shoe, which seems right in nearly every way.

For one, they are clearly labeled with the size. Most other shoes would so crudely bear a brand logo instead. My bowling shoes thinks that type of brand-bragging is impolite. My bowling shoes work in numbers.

Bowling shoes are indoor shoes. This provides enormous mental benefit. Whilst wearing bowling shoes, you may safely ignore any inconvenient summons to leave your home. You are, after all, wearing your indoor shoes. Like Mr. Rogers.

In fact, whilst you are wearing bowling shoes, it is not okay to partake in any strenuous mental or physical activity. Approved activities include sipping a scotch or practicing your golf putting into a glass or roll-up putting green. Reading a newspaper is encouraged. You may engage in low-level planning and scheming, only up to the point of drawing circles and x’s on a map or schematic. Do not wear your bowling shoes while using a computer or while transporting any item requiring the use of both hands. Bowling, of course, is an approved activity. As are trips to the Land of Make Believe.

Bowling Shoes – 55-250rmb