In the 1970s before the reform period, clothing purchases were restricted by rationing.[1] Cotton cloth consumption was limited to between four and six meters a year per person.[1] In the 1980s one of the most visible signs of the economic "revolution" was the appearance in Chinese cities of large quantities of relatively modern, varied, colorful clothes, a sharp contrast to the monotone image of blue and gray suits that typified Chinese dress in earlier years.[1] Cloth consumption increased from eight meters per person in 1978 to almost twelve meters in 1985, and rationing was ended in the early 1980s.[1] Production of synthetic fibers more than tripled during this period; in 1985 synthetics constituted 40 percent of the cloth purchased.[1] Consumers also tripled their purchases of woolen fabrics in these years and bought growing numbers of garments made of silk, leather, or down.[1] In 1987 Chinese department stores and street markets carried clothing in a large variety of styles, colors, quality, and prices.[1] Many people displayed their new affluence with relatively expensive and stylish clothes, while those with more modest tastes or meager incomes still could adequately outfit themselves at very low cost.[1]