In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year, one of the most exciting things to do is shopping for new festive outfits. Before that, you might also want to find out which auspicious colours to wear during Chinese New Year based on your zodiac sign.
For those who want an extra huat look, there’s no better colour of choice than auspicious red for the Lunar New Year. Whether you’re a fan of sporting a full-on red outfit or adding a splash of burgundy to enliven your festive fit, we’ve got you covered with these celebrity-inspired red outfits for Chinese New Year that’ll make you shine this Chinese New Year.
1. Rebecca Lim
Rebecca wore this flowy number to the Busan International Film Festival last year and we love how the subtly stylish design added an air of elegance to her red carpet look. If you’re looking to amp up this minimalist look, consider sleek gold-tone accessories such as earrings, rings, and bangles. Our advice is to pick dainty pieces that will match perfectly with this elegant dress. Want more contrast? Why not complement it with a pair of sparkly shoes that guarantees a look that says, “I’ve arrived.”
2. Tasha Low
If it's a more formal celebration you're attending, a maxi-length dress like Tasha's is well-suited for the occasion. Fair warning though: Her all-red look is not for the faint-hearted, and the bold open-back look *might* get some raised eyebrows from more traditional family members. Or if you're heading to the office during the day, consider layering an oversized blazer for a business-meets-party ensemble. A pair of boot heels can help toughen up this look.
3. Hong Ling
For a stylish and edgier ensemble, try matching a red leather skirt with a white tee like how Hong Ling has done. The leather piece adds a tough girl vibe to the overall look, and if you're up for layering, a blazer casually strewn over the shoulders adds a nonchalant vibe, too. Plus, it's a simple look that you can probably pull together in minutes — perfect for mums who are always short on time. Complete your outfit with boots, or a pair of freshly unboxed sneakers for a sporty touch.
4. Jeanette Aw
Fact: not all of us are fans of wearing head-to-toe red during the Lunar New Year. So, take a leaf out of Jeanette’s stylebook and go for a more pared-down look. And since there's likely to be a bit of walking around for CNY visiting and other activities, it’ll be wise to put away your heels and pick a pair of red sneakers that’ll promise comfort while adding an auspicious element to your look.
5. Fann Wong
Bags are a must-have for Chinese New Year because where else are you going to keep all your red packets? Instead of carrying one bag, how about making it two (because even numbers are more auspicious than odd, according to Chinese traditions)? Fann accented her black outfit with two Prada bags in a glossy scarlet colour. The high shine effect on the bags will be sure to get attention from everyone.
6. Amanda Chaang
If solid colours look a tad too dull and serious for your liking, consider incorporating prints into your outfits. Keep it simple by sticking to one print. This injects a bit of fun without the risk of going overboard with too many busy prints. Polka dots, for example, are always a good idea to make your outfit pop more and look playful. Amanda’s sleeveless dress above is by Revolve and it makes for a good option for our hot weather.
7. Chen Liping
Wearing an all-black outfit for the Lunar New Year is often frowned upon by more conservative relatives, since black is often seen as inauspicious and wearing it during the festive season can be seen as having a lack of cultural awareness. Our advice: balance it out with a touch of red. Take Liping's lead and juxtapose your black fit with a fitted red blazer for a look that can be worn not only for Chinese New Year gatherings but on normal work days too.
8. Drea Chong
One of the easiest ways to get your Chinese New Year outfit sorted is to pick a classic cheongsam. If you’re looking for an updated cheongsam, why not consider this dual-tone piece as seen on influencer and entrepreneur Drea Chong? The piece, which is from her fashion label Good Addition, has pink and red panels that make it an eye-catching and interesting piece to wear.
9. Melissa Koh
Worried that you won’t be wearing your Chinese New Year dress after all the celebrations? You can get more style mileage out of your newly bought piece by picking a design that you’re likely to wear again for other occasions. This festive piece by Mango with eye-catching palm prints that we see on influencer Melissa Koh looks as good for CNY visiting as it does for a beach vacay.
10. Chen Xiuhuan
Besides looking for printed pieces, you can get creative with your festive fit by going for an asymmetric design. Xiuhuan’s asymmetric top is a good option that’ll up the ante for your Chinese New Year dressing. We love that it’s pretty easy to wear too; style it with high-waisted jeans for a casual and chic weekend-appropriate getup. Or match it with long pants and a blazer for a more serious and pulled-together look.