WHAT will you wear to welcome the year of the rabbit?
There’s only a few days left before the grand celebration of Chinese New Year and everyone is looking forward to the food and the colorful events and traditions. Some also can’t wait to show off their outfits.
Almost everything about the Chinese festivity has a significance, including the clothes that the revelers will wear.
Traditional OOTD
According to China Highlights, a site about Chinese culture, Chinese people traditionally sewed or knitted clothes to prepare for the Chinese New Year because it is believed that having something new to wear emphasizes the idea of change and symbolizes new beginnings and the leaving behind of the old or negativities from the past year.
Some Chinese people would also wear a tang suit, an upturned jacket with a collar typically worn by men during the Tang Dynasty. Women, on the other hand, traditionally wore the qipao, a knee level tight-fitting dress.
These clothes are normally made of brightly-colored silk. It could be plain or have delicate details.
Later on, the cheongsam became a popular outfit during the Chinese New Year. It is named after the first president of China, Sun Zhongsan, popularly known as Sun-yat-sen, who served their country from 1866-1925.
Modern Chinoy OOTD
But the times, they are ever-changing.
In the modern generation, Chinoys rush to the malls or to online shops to buy their desired outfit for the celebration.
They can wear what they want as long as the outfit is proper for the occasion.
Actually, there is really no particular criteria on what color and style to wear for Chinese New Year as long as the one who wears it is comfortable, presentable and fashionable.
But elders still recommend that the younger generation wear red as it is the lucky color for Chinese folks.
Any new clothes that were bought should be worn on the first day of Chinese New Year. New pajamas must be worn during bedtime too.
Big no-no
Although there is no certain style that is recommended, elders discourage the young from wearing something black, distressed, or worn-out during the Chinese New Year as this is feared to bring bad luck.
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