Clothing/Shoes
Generally, dress in Taiwan is about the same as in metropolitan areas of the United States, although the dress code in schools tends to be more casual.
Casual, versatile clothes made of light, breathable material
Taiwan's weather is generally hot and humid, but the temperature can change dramatically from day to day, and some layering staples are helpful. Western brand clothes (Levi’s, GAP, Polo, etc) will be just as expensive if not more in Taiwan than in the U.S. Local imitations can easily be found and will be far cheaper, if you choose to under-pack and buy clothes in Taiwan. In Taiwan, they sell jeans but they usually only come in longer sizes so you may need to roll them up.
Most residents of Taiwan do not own dryers. You will not own a dryer, therefore, pack with this in mind (although, in special cases, you could go to a laundromat to use the dryer). During winter, the cold and humidity means that thick clothing can take many days to air-dry, so it is better if you have quick-drying clothes to wear in the meantime. Your clothes and shoes might get moldy, so don’t bring anything that was expensive or that you don’t want ruined.
Clothing for teaching: The dress code at Taiwanese schools tends to be much less formal than the dress code at schools in the United States. It may be hard to believe, but most teachers at school wear jeans and a T-shirt to class. However, the level of formality can vary from school to school. Once you are assigned your schools, it is good to ask your co-teacher about the dress code and also observe what the other teachers wear to make sure you are dressing appropriately. Here are some general tips:
Remember to bring at least one pair of closed toe shoes. Any sandal that doesn't have an ankle strap is considered a slipper here. Even if you paid a great deal of money for them, if they don't have an ankle strap, they're slippers, and not appropriate for school. Flip-flops are also not appropriate for school.
Skirts should be knee length (this is a general rule at most schools; perhaps talk with your co-teacher(s) and observe the way other teachers dress at your school). Shirts should not be revealing and long enough so that when you write on the board you won't expose too much.
Shorts may or may not be acceptable for teaching. Pack enough variety of shorts/pants/skirts so you’ll be prepared for a more traditional or more liberal dress code.
It is especially true that when teaching younger grades, you will probably move around a lot and will likely end up dancing and making lots of dramatic gestures, so it's important to wear shirts long enough for all of this activity.
Warm clothing
Do not underestimate the cold during winter. There is very little heating in Taiwanese schools and apartment buildings. While temperatures do not drop too low, rain and moisture in the air make it feel even colder. You will often scooter to work in the morning in the rain, and end up being cold and damp for the entire day. Bring a thick waterproof jacket, warm socks, thick waterproof gloves (for scootering), and base layer clothing (for layering under pants or shirts) - this is not a joke, you won’t regret it!
Formal wear
Evening wear is seldom worn, except to formal dinner parties or banquets. However, it is advisable to bring at least two business formal outfits for Fulbright events throughout the year. (These items can be purchased in Taiwan, for around the same price one might acquire them for in America, so there is no absolute need to go out and buy multiple formal outfits in a hurry.)
Rain gear
It rains frequently in Taiwan, especially in the winter, making it a good idea to pack a rain jacket. Most scooter coats cost around $5 USD and are full-body to protect your legs while scooting.
It is also helpful to bring pants that are more appropriate for rain. When scooting in the rain, even a full-body rain coat will not prevent the bottom of your pants from getting soaked. If you have something that dries quicker, it would be a good idea to bring it.
If you are low on space in your luggage, rain boots might not be a necessary packing item. You can just buy rain boots or plastic covers to put over your shoes here. During the summer, when it is very hot, changing into a pair of flip flops or other sandals for walking/scooting in the rain is the best option.
Swimsuits
Swimsuit culture in Taiwan is generally more conservative than in the U.S. While you could still wear a bikini, most other people at the beach will be donning one-piece suits with shorts, or even long sleeve t-shirts and shorts. (Taiwanese women are scared of the sun.) For men, you'd fit right in if you packed a teeny, tiny speedo. This is not required, though, so you'll be fine in some trunks. You will be required to bring a swimming cap in any pool or hot spring, but those are purchasable here.
Water-resistant shoes
Shoes made out of leather or similar materials are not recommended, because they do not deal well with getting wet and can mold easily.
If you wear between a 5 and 8 in women's shoes, you won't have any problem finding shoes here. On the other hand, if your shoe size is larger than 8, you should probably bring all the shoes you'll need for a year.
Rain boots and/or waterproof shoes: Rain boots are helpful for scootering in the rain or walking around on particularly rainy days. Otherwise, water-resistant shoes are fine.
