Why lucky red underwear is among China's biggest Lunar New Year trends (2024)

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What happened The Jing Take FAQs

What happened

With Chinese New Year just around the corner, the term “2024 year of the dragon women’s underwear gift set” (2024龙年本命年内衣套装女礼盒) surfaces hundreds, if not thousands, of different red-colored lingerie on Chinese shopping apps such as Taobao.

On Tmall, “Chinese New Year red” has become its own category, where lucky long red underwear is among the bestselling winter innerwear for local brands like Ubras.

Across the last 365 days, top-ranked retailer Ubras has sold over 40,000 units of long red underwear and over 100,000 units of its racier red bra, underwear, and socks set, according to Tmall. Meanwhile, its competitor, Neiwai, has sold over 30,000 red underwear gift sets during the same period.

Why lucky red underwear is among China's biggest Lunar New Year trends (1)

The Jing Take

Wearing red underwear during Chinese New Year is a practice rooted in tradition. Generally, red is considered a lucky color that can bring people fortune and prosperity.

The color red is also believed to ward off evil and bad luck. According to Chinese superstition, individuals may face misfortune if their birth sign aligns with the zodiac sign of the current year. Therefore, wearing red underwear is thought to shield the wearer from potential misfortunes that might arise during the new year.

And local lingerie brands have honed in on this custom. In recent years, Chinese zodiac-themed red underwear has become all the rage thanks to the belief that, in addition to wearing red shirts, jackets, dresses, and other items of clothing, even donning red as innerwear brings one additional

good luck

.

For brands such as Ubras, creating a dedicated collection of red underwear for the new year helps to build a stronger emotional connection with their customers.

During this year’s campaign, Ubras featured the supermodel Liu Wen wearing red underwear. This celebrity endorsem*nt played a pivotal role in pushing the brand’s red underwear sales to secure the third position on the Tmall Top Chart for “New Year red warm clothes.”

Why lucky red underwear is among China's biggest Lunar New Year trends (2)

Netizens on Xiaohongshu also praised the collection for its modern design and craftsmanship. User Shijinlidedokii (@是锦鲤的dokii) said the underwear “exuded passion, sensuality, and premium value.” User Ningxui Nia (柠袖Nia) added, “It can even be worn outside and looks beautiful and cool when paired with a small blazer.”

The Jing Takereports on a piece of the leading news and presents our editorial team’s analysis of the key implications for the luxury industry. In the recurring column, we analyze everything from product drops and mergers to heated debate sprouting on Chinese social media.

Why lucky red underwear is among China's biggest Lunar New Year trends (2024)

FAQs

Why lucky red underwear is among China's biggest Lunar New Year trends? ›

Wearing red underwear during Chinese New Year is a practice rooted in tradition. Generally, red is considered a lucky color that can bring people fortune and prosperity. The color red is also believed to ward off evil and bad luck.

Why do you wear red underwear on Chinese New Year? ›

Wearing the color red — both on the outside and inside — is said to ward off evil spirits and ensure one will have a prosperous year. Therefore, wearing red undies 24/7, every day of that lunar calendar year is believed to provide extra protection.

Why is red so important in Chinese New Year? ›

Red is also the traditional color of the dominant ethnic group in China—the Han people. It signifies fortune, luck, and vitality. During the Lunar New Year, the Chinese would decorate themselves and their houses with new red clothing and lanterns to ward off evil spirits and bring in luck.

What does wearing red underwear on New Year's mean? ›

Red: Life, Love, and Passion

The color red represents life, love, and passion. Wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve is said to bring new impassioned relationships. We recommend a pair of red undies if you're tired of listening to horrifying Hinge voice prompts and need some real romance in your life.

What are the benefits of red underwear? ›

You'll feel more confident

It's not just about the colour; it's about how it makes you feel. Red is like a little confidence boost you can wear under your clothes. It's associated with courage, strength, and assertiveness, and slipping into red lingerie can help you channel those qualities within yourself.

What does red underwear symbolize? ›

For example, one tradition says to wear yellow underwear for wealth and prosperity, and red underwear for love and passion. Along with the superstition of lucky underwear, the New Year's Eve underwear colours you choose can also be a way to set your intention for the year ahead.

Where is it good luck to wear red underwear? ›

In Italy, many participate in the tradition of wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve to guarantee luck and success for the upcoming year. Not just a fun fashion statement, wearing red underwear on NYE is serious business for Italians, representing passion and love for the next 12 months.

Can men wear red underwear? ›

Whether you are a man or a women, you can wear whatever you feel like. The same goes true with the red underwear. Men these days wear whatever looks good on them.

What are good luck underwear for new year's? ›

In some cultures, wearing red underwear is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year. In others, yellow underwear is worn to attract wealth and prosperity.

What does white underwear mean? ›

White is a colour of peace, purity and naturality. It also looks fashionable when patterns and prints are added. Not a popular one, but White underwear can be found in every man's wardrobe. White is also a colour of traditions. Men who love to wear traditional attires love white lingerie.

Do guys like red underwear? ›

Red vs black underwear

Contrary to appearances, not all men, although there are those who prefer red lace underwear on their chosen one, are in favor of red underwear, but prefer black lace, exclusive. Moreover, they like navy blue and graphite underwear. Red underwear is one of the most vivid and intense colors.

What is the history of red underwear? ›

Since the sexual liberation movement of the 1960s, red lingerie has developed more romantic and seductive associations, gaining a reputation for being “sexy,” “red-hot,” “smouldering,” and “incendiary.” Incendiary: A History of Red Lingerie tells this story through thirty objects, dating from circa the 1860s to 2017.

What does red underwear mean in Japan? ›

This is no marketing ploy but a tradition woven in with history and health. Red and luck in Sugamo. Red is a lucky colour in Japan, and has been for centuries, purportedly since 300 AD. The brightness of the colour is relied on to frighten off evil and bad luck, while attracting the gods to our pleas and prayers.

What does red underwear mean for New Years in Italy? ›

In Italy, wearing red underwear on New Year's Day is thought to bring good luck for the coming year. This belief has its roots in the Italian tradition of celebrating the New Year with symbols of good fortune and positivity, and red is seen as a color associated with passion, energy, and prosperity.

What do you wear on Chinese New Year if you don't have red? ›

While red clothing takes centre stage during New Year festivities, other auspicious colours such as gold and yellow, which stand for wealth, prosperity, and royalty, are also popular choices. Now that we've covered our New Year dos, it's time that we move on to our don'ts.

Why are red clothes worn on New Year's Eve? ›

Red attracts attention, but that's not why you should wear something red on New Year's Eve. In Italy wearing something red on New Year's Eve is a tradition with origins dating to ancient Rome. In ancient Roman times both men and women wore something red as a symbol of power, fertility, health and wealth.

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