For Chinese New Year, wear something new and something red. New clothes stand for a fresh start, and red is the color of good luck and prosperity. Gold is the classic accent. An outfit that is all black or all white is traditionally avoided at celebrations. Beyond that, dress as you would for any family holiday. In 2027 New Year's Day is Saturday, February 6.
Why do people wear new clothes?
Putting on new clothes is part of the new year itself. UNESCO's description of the Spring Festival lists it among the core customs: during the festival people wear new clothes and go to greet elders, relatives, friends and neighbors. The idea matches the rest of the holiday, in which the house is cleaned, debts are settled and the old year is cleared away. You meet the new year looking fresh.
The custom is easy to keep. A complete new outfit is the traditional ideal, but a single new piece does the job: a sweater, a scarf, a pair of socks.
Why red?
Red is everywhere at Chinese New Year, on lanterns, door couplets and envelopes as well as clothes. It is believed to bring good luck and prosperity and to ward off evil. The folk explanation is the legend of Nian, a beast that came out on New Year's Eve and was frightened off by fire, noise and the color red.
You do not need to dress in red from head to toe. Any of these is enough:
- a red dress, sweater, shirt or skirt
- a red scarf, bag, belt or pair of shoes
- red or gold jewelry and hair accessories
- red nails, plain or with a gold accent
Which colors go with it, and which are avoided?
| Color | How it is traditionally seen |
|---|---|
| Red | Good luck and prosperity; the color of the holiday |
| Gold and yellow | Wealth; the usual partner to red |
| Pink, orange and other bright colors | Cheerful and in keeping with a spring festival |
| All black | Avoided at celebrations; linked with funerals |
| All white | Avoided at celebrations; linked with funerals |
The rule about black and white concerns outfits and gifts that are solely those colors. A black coat over a red dress, white sneakers or a white shirt under a bright cardigan are fine. Attitudes also differ a good deal between families, and a guest in dark clothes is not going to cause offense. If you want to be considerate, add color.
What should you wear as a guest?
Think "holiday dinner with someone's grandparents."
For a dinner at home
- A dress or a skirt and top in red, pink, coral or a jewel tone.
- Smart pants with a bright sweater or blouse.
For a parade or street celebration
- Warm layers. Early February is cold in most of the US and the UK.
- A red scarf, hat or gloves so that you are part of the color.
- Comfortable shoes. Lion and dragon dances draw crowds, and you may be standing for a while.
For the office
- Your usual work clothes with one red item: a tie, a scarf, a cardigan.
What about traditional Chinese clothing?
Many people who celebrate wear traditional or tradition-inspired clothes for the holiday, such as the qipao, also known by its Cantonese name cheongsam, a fitted dress with a high collar. For the families who wear them, these are festive clothes with cultural meaning, the way a kilt or a sari is.
If you do not share that heritage and are wondering whether to wear one, the considerate approach is simple. Wear it if your hosts invite you to, or if it was a gift from them. Choose a well-made garment and wear it as clothing, not as a costume. When in doubt, a red dress or a red top carries the same good wishes with no risk of a misstep.
What do children wear?
The same two ideas apply: something new, something red. If you are buying a gift for a baby due in the Year of the Goat, a red outfit with a goat or sheep motif suits the year that begins on February 6, 2027.
Should you wear red in your own zodiac year?
There is a separate custom about this. The year of your own zodiac animal, which comes around every 12 years, is traditionally seen as a hurdle, not a lucky year. To get through it safely, people wear red underwear, by tradition every day of the year. The Lam Museum of Anthropology at Wake Forest University notes that many people still take the custom seriously.
In 2027 this applies to anyone born in a Goat year, such as 1979, 1991, 2003 or 2015. It is a folk belief, and plenty of people treat it lightly. You can check a sign with the Birthday Profile tool.
Are there lucky colors for the Year of the Goat?
You may see lists of "lucky colors for 2027." They come from popular almanacs, they disagree with one another, and no authoritative source stands behind them. Red and gold are the lucky colors of the holiday every year, whatever the animal.
If you would like an outfit that nods to the year, a goat or sheep detail does it: a brooch, a print, a pair of earrings. More on the sign is on our Year of the Goat 2027 page.
For the customs behind the colors, see Chinese New Year superstitions and Chinese New Year decorations. If you are visiting someone's home, Chinese New Year gifts covers what to bring. Outfit and color ideas for the rest of the year are in our style section.