While common sensibilities point to wearing red for Chinese New Year, it doesn’t always have to be that way. To some, these scarlet hues might be too loud and unwearable, especially those who live by a minimalist ethos. Instead, get festive with zodiac designs instead inspired by this year’s main animal, the Rat.
Fun, cute and totally on theme with the year’s horoscope, here are 10 style picks from brands who are taking their rodent game very seriously.
This exclusive capsule collection features cute embroidery of mice and flowers in pastel hues. The rat design is quite subtle so you’ll have no problem wearing them past the festive season. Check out how celebs like Jolin Tsai and Fann Wong style their outfits with white sneakers!
This ink-blot-like charm is a chic way to look festive without being OTT. According to Monica Vinader, the symbol should bring energy, intelligence and optimism to those born in the Year of the Rat. And this little guy has a name – it’s Ronnie.
If you still fondly remember having your eyes glued to Cartoon Network and wondering when Tom and Jerry would make peace, this new capsule collection by Kate Spade New York will certainly bring back the feels.
In this playful nine-piece collab, the brand combines its classic motifs and silhouettes with an image of Jerry peeking out from his typical hiding place. Pair this circular bag with a wide-legged jumpsuit or pants and a red lippie for the perfect reunion dinner get-up.
With charms available for every zodiac animal, you can customise a bracelet to match the birth years of you and your loved ones. We love the intricate details, from the tiger’s stripes and cubic zirconia eyes, to the signature Pandora crown atop each animal.
Partnering with local contemporary artist Jahan Loh once again, G-Shock has launched a collectible edition of the GA-2100 – a favourite in the G-Shock family of tough watches.
“The pattern on the strap is derived from the Chinese words 寿 ‘shou’ (meaning longevity) and 福 ‘fu’ (auspicious),” says Loh. The casing also features silhouettes of rats. This piece is available at all G-Shock boutiques (except IMM) and G-Shock’s e-commerce store.
While Mickey Mouse is definitely the hero of this CNY Gucci collection, the highlight is the Mini GG Supreme canvas with Mickey Mouse print, which features a new beige and ebony material with a vintage GG pattern and various sizes of Mickey Mouse. The embossing gives the appearance and texture of linen, but the protective coating makes it durable for all-day visiting, regardless of the weather.
Watercolour brush strokes and rainbow hues inject a sense of free-spiritedness that feels refreshing in the sea of rat-related merch. Pair with an oversized tee and jeans for an easy yet chic ensemble for visiting.
Longchamp pulls off yet another collab with one of China’s most influential fashion bloggers, Mr. Bags a.k.a Tao Liang, with a cheeky theme of a mouse eating cheese. The repetitive cheese prints on the nano and shoulder bags will add a perfect touch of whimsy to any outfit.
Moschino never fails to make us do a double take. For its limited edition capsule for CNY, the Italian brand splashed the varsity-inspired pieces with Mickey Rat, an underground cult comic by cartoonist Robert Armstrong. This youthful collection is available now at Moschino The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (Bay Level, #01-15) and Paragon (#01-04/05).
Apart from this leather rat charm bracelet, which we reckon would go with all your CNY outfits, Tod’s is also celebrating this CNY with a red leather pochette and bi-colour leather top-handle bag. The limited-edition collection of accessories is available at all Tod’s boutiques.
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Text: Her World