What to don when you’re celebrating
Anything goes, just make sure colours are bright and bold
Chinese New Year is upon us and for those attending events around the GTA, you may be wondering what to wear to ring in the Year of the Rooster.
The celebration spans two weeks, beginning Jan. 28, and you can expect to see a mix of traditional Chinese fashion, contemporary styles, as well as quirky, rooster-themed apparel when you’re out on the town.
It’s certainly a beneficial time of year for the clothing industry, as one tradition calls for new clothing to be worn as a symbol of fresh beginnings, optimism and hope for the year ahead.
Then there’s the colour. Attend any Chinese New Year soiree and there is agood chance you will see lots of rich, vibrant red apparel. The colour is said to represent good fortune and a happy future. But if red isn’t your colour of choice, seek out other bright tones to signify happiness and good cheer.
Elegant, higher-ticket affairs may see revellers donning luxurious materials, such as silk, and wearing hues of gold or yellow, as well as pretty floral prints or fine embroidered garments.
For fashion inspiration with a modern influence, turn toward H&M’s Chinese New Year collection, being sold exclusively in nine of the company’s Asian-based markets.
Fronting the campaign, which portrays love and joy, are Chinese actors (and real-life couple) Fan Bingbing and Li Chen. The festive, specially designed collection includes wears for women, men and children.
Among the standouts is a stunning multicoloured, patterned dress in red, black and white, with shades of pink, that can be dressed up or down.
Also hot are casual printed sweatshirts, red knits and accessories with pops of red or gold.
Meanwhile, you can put your best face forward with the limited edition Chinese New Year Collection from M.A.C. Cosmetics.
The10-piece line comes in sexy redand-black packaging and features the Year of the Rooster Eye Shadow palette with nine shades ($42), three great lipstick colours (including the luscious, orangey-red matte lipstick in Dangerous, $21 each), and a few of the brand’s signature products, such as the Penultimate Eye Liner ($24), among other goodies.
For men, perhaps it’s about finding the right accessory to rule the roost this year. Considering the new year is an occasion symbolic of new beginnings (and the rooster happens to be a highly time conscious morning bird), the Year of the Rooster timepiece from luxury brand Ulysse Nardin is quite — dare we say it? — timely.
Those looking for affordable rooster-themed apparel will find the brightly coloured bird appearing on everything from T-shirts and baby onesies to purse hooks.