Chinese New Year Clothes: What & When to Wear

Chinese New Year is a moment for everything taking on a completely new look. One of the Chinese New Year traditions is to wear three new items to welcome the new year: new clothes, new shoes, and new stockings.

Why New Clothes on Chinese New Year

Wearing Chinese New Year clothes is an immemorial custom in China which was first recorded in convention of the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589). What to wear on Chinese New Year is associated with whether there is a good start of the coming year.

On the first day of Chinese New Year, there is a rule to be in Chinese New Year outfit all older and younger, 长幼悉正衣冠 (zhǎnɡ yòu xī zhènɡ yī ɡuān) in Chinese. No matter the royal families or the plain folks, they would all put on Chinese New Year clothing for an auspicious Chinese New Year’s Day.

When to Wear the New Clothes

On the 1st day of Chinese New Year, people all happily put on new clothes and get up early to set fireworks. You are supposed to wear new clothes on this day and more days as you like even during the whole Chinese lunar new year from the 1st day to the 15th day.

People believe that more new clothes will bring about more luckiness to the person as it also can keep away evil spirit with elegant and decent look on social occasions.

What to Wear on Chinese New Year

To wear traditional Chinese New Year clothes has become a fashionable trend inheriting Chinese culture. What do people wear at Chinese New Year? What are traditional Chinese New Year clothes called? Let have a look.

Chinese Tunic suit (Zhongshan suit)

Chinese tunic suit is a kind of Chinese New Year outfit for men with a stand-up collar and four-patch pockets designed by Sun Zhongshan, the founder of Republic of China.

After the revolution of 1911, Chinese people overthrew the Monarchy, in order to integrate into the international community, Mr. Sun designed Chinese tunic suit combining features of Chinese traditional dress and western suit. Today when people refer to Chinese New Year clothes name, Chinese tunic suit would rank the first track.

Cheongsam

Cheongsam, the Chinese New Year outfit for female, is hailed as Chinese national essence and national apparel. It is one of the most gorgeous clothing layouts among centuries-old Chinese costume culture. Cheongsam was gradually evolved from ancient Chinese robe in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.

‘Try to figure out the glamour of a Chinese beauty, dress her the cheongsam.’ Cheongsam can be catalogued into four classifications: Beijing style (modified clothing of Qing Dynasty), Shanghai style (Chinese and western styles combined, popular in the 1930s to 1940s), Yue style (popular in southern coastal provinces), Su style (originated in Suzhou province).

Han Chinese Clothing

Han Chinese clothing, was first burst into popularity in central China, officially known as ‘traditional Han costumes’, is also called Hanfu, Hansuit, and Chinese style dress. It relies on the background of Huaxia-Han culture from the period of the Yellow Emperor’s ascending the throne to late Qing Dynasty and early Ming Dynasty for a history of five thousand years. It inherits more than 30 items of intangible cultural heritage as well as patent arts and handicrafts.

There are five categories of it: Ruqun, ancient Chinese robe, straight style, overalls, and short brown. Nowadays, Han Chinese clothing is popular once more. It is not difficult to find young ladies in Han Chinese clothing at high streets and back lanes. Han Chinese element is adopted into latest clothing fashion and the clothing style has become a hit attire.

Baby Clothing

Parent would dress the little newly-born babies up by national style dress of red color, of which the pattern with auspicious words like 福 (fú) meaning blessing or traditional mascot design are full of nifty characteristic.

Modern Style

You may feast your eyes on modern Chinese New Year clothes at evening parties where ladies and gentlemen in festive suit of western style, Chanel’s style, and court style etc.

Colors of Chinese New Year Clothes

What is the lucky color to wear for Chinese New Year? Here are some tips for your reference:

Recommendations

1. Red

Chinese people love the color red deeply which seems load our long river of history and profound tradition. Red is a kind of bright warm color amazingly matching the Chinese complexion. Since the ancient time, red had been the color for privileged position and stateliness. Plain folks also use red to decorate architectures. Red is the very color for marriage and birth to a child, a symbol of vitality.

Since the Ming Dynasty, people adopt red for all festive occasions which shimmering a women or a man with charm and predominance.

2. Golden

Golden is the color of the sun, cabling a power of warmth and felicity. From time immemorial, golden has implied specific significance of satisfaction, wealth, magnificence, nobleness and holiness. It shows your good taste wearing formal dress of golden on Chinese New Year.

Not Recommended

1. All black We integrate black color with water and wisdom in the five elements, Chinese culture. However black is the color for darkness and death which is not appropriate during Chinese New Year occasion. All black from top to bottom is not propitious but you can try a red coat and black trousers or underdress as the color can intersperse the whole look a modest feel.

2. All white White symbolizes gold and feature of white tiger in Chinese culture, but a representative of inauspiciousness and funeral arrangement. All white is also not a smart way of dressing during Chinese New Year.

Taboos about Chinese New Year Clothes

1. No patched clothes People wear new clothes on Chinese New Year in expression of good expectation of the new year. Patched clothes are considered inauspicious and would appeal bad luck and hard time to the person of the coming year.

2. No dirty clothes To denote respect and anticipation of the new year, people will tidy their houses as well as dress clean and neat. Dirty clothes was in disregard of the festival and would affect the fortune from then on.

3. No mourning dress In the Chinese culture, mourning dress is only be put on when there is a funeral. As funeral is regarded inauspicious activity, wearing the mourning dress is said to attract though break to the family.

Practical Tips about China New Year Trip

Before your China tour plan, the following suggestions will help:

1. Arrange a photography or painting tour of exquisite clothing culture in China.

2. Try different styles of traditional Chinese clothing on Chinese New Year.

3. Go and experience a typical Chinese New Year in flaming Chinese red.

4. Pray and bless the new year happiness wearing Chinese New Year clothes with the locals.