Fire Up Your Chinese New Year With These 4 Outfit Ideas

It’s Chinese New Year once again this coming Monday, and while you’re busy reveling at the thought of finally having an excuse to eat tikoy the whole day and receiving ang paos from our titos and titas we have just one question for you: Have you planned out your #ootd for the festivities?

If the answer is no then you’re in for a treat as some of our favorite fashion labels have rolled out special pieces to celebrate the Year of the Fire Monkey. And as that Chinese zodiac sign suggests, there’s absolutely no room for burned-out fashion.

So get ready to splurge on a lot of red and silver pieces! Here are four outfit ideas that you can pull off at any time of day on Monday, as well as stylish accessories, so you can get lucky—in more ways than one.

#1 Chinatown casual
With the amount of people scurrying to Chinatown, not to mention the dragon and lion dances scattered across the length of Ongpin Street and its side streets, it’s best to wear something comfortable like jeans, sneakers, and this long-sleeved shirt from H&M with a red monkey embroidered on it.

H&M Long-Sleeved Shirt With Monkey Embroidery

You can even add this red and white scarf to your ensemble because hey, you never know with the weather these days—one minute it’s sunny, the next it might be windy and/or rainy so you might as well be prepared.

Red And White H&M Scarf

H&M. G/F, SM Makati, Hotel Drive, Makati City. For a complete list of locations and more information, visit their website.

#2 Holiday hustlers
Monday may be a free day for most, but there are still those who are working overtime for that holiday bonus. But don’t let your drab office uniform bring you down.

Go add some bold and practical accessories like these watches by Giorgio Fedon and Jacques Farel, which are accented with crimson hues that will make a subtle Chinese New Year statement at your workplace.

Giorgio Fedon Ripple Red Watch
Jacques Farel Ladies Red Face in Stainless Steel Strap

And of course, no working girl is complete without a stylish bag like this red Longchamp tote that’s big enough to hold all the stuff you need, including the small box of tikoy you’ll buy on your way home.

Longchamp Roseau Box Small Tote

Giorgio Fedon, Jacques Farel, and Longchamp. Available at Rustan’s, Glorietta 4,  Ayala Avenue, Makati City. For a complete list  of stores and more information, visit their website.

#3 Reunion revelry
Chinese New Year is also a great time to attend mini-family reunions that are either casual affairs or big semi-formal ones at fancy restaurants. Wherever they are, Coach has got you covered as they featured select line of bags and wallets for Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day.

If you’re looking for something compact to carry your essentials, including the ang paos you’ll give your nieces and nephews, or the ones you’ll receive from your elders, the Nolita Wristlet 15 might just do the trick.

Nolita Wristlet 15 in True Red by Coach

Coach. Available at Rustan’s Department Store, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Shaw Boulevard corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City. For a complete of stores and more information, visit their website.

#4 Posh party-goer
Of course, new year celebrations deserve to end with a bang. What better way to do that than to go out and party the night away with your favorite girlfriends before going back to work the next day?

If you’re planning on raiding every department store for that perfect ensemble, we suggest you hold that shopping spree for a while and order some CNY pieces from Zalora like this floral crop top and pencil skirt combo that’s both sexy and sophisticated.

Floral Crop Top by Zalora (P999); Floral Pencil Skirt by Zalora (P1,349)

And for those who are more conservative yet still want to make heads turn, this bright crimson Jacquard Mandarin Collar Dress will definitely make you easy to spot in any room.

Jacquard Mandarin Collar Dress by Zalora (P1,849)

Zalora. Available online. For more information, visit their website.

Jacqueline Arias: