Stylish in Red

There is no other colour that shouts Chinese New Year more than red. Symbolic of joy, prosperity and good fortune, it is considered an auspicious colour by the Chinese. In fact, as the festive season draws near, entire households and whole wardrobes have been known to be made over in this particular hue.

But dressing in red takes a particularly deft hand because the fiery shade is a bold choice. Here are some CapitaMalls boutiques with clever ideas on how best to pull off the look.

No Accessories and Ironing Required

Red is already an arresting colour. So, when you want to don the shade, less is best. Enter Blum & Co, a boutique specialising in qipaos (旗袍) or Mandarin gowns that require no further accessories to complete the look. Playing on hand-stitched motifs, lavish brocade, luxurious fabrics, fine piping, and excellent workmanship, Blum & Co’s collection allows you to simplify your ensemble.

For this Chinese New Year’s collection, Blum & Co marries Southeast Asian influences with their qipaos for a uniquely Asian look. The fabric of choice this season is batik. The ornate floral details make for a perfect backdrop for their pieces. The beauty of batik lies in the fact that it lets you dress in red without having to resort to a solid shade. Most stylists say red is such a daring choice that the best way to wear it is to go all out. But if you balk at the idea of dressing in all-red, batik lets you take the prints option. Adding to the Blum & Co no-fuss appeal is the fact that their outfits, generally made of wool silk, require no ironing.

Another Blum & Co feature are their forgiving silhouettes. While traditional qipaos are form-fitting, Blum & Co’s incorporate flared skirts that allow for different body shapes. Since red is so eye-catching, mixing it with it a kinder cut will help to minimise flaws.

East Meets West

If dressing in a red qipao is overly chinoiserie even for the Chinese New Year, Xi boutique may just be what you are looking for. Their East-meets-West designs take the essence of the qipao and give it a modern spin.

So, there are asymmetrical designs that work in the red without overwhelming the outfit. There is the use of modern details like Chinese characters worked into the details with metal buttons perforating the fabric.

Xi also prefers to introduce Chinese influence in subtle details, like the use of embroidered floral patterns minimally rather than throughout the outfit. The use of modern fabric like denim also adds an edge to their designs.

Consider the Little Things

Luxury Chinese fashion pioneer, Shanghai Tang, known for its gorgeous interpretations of Chinese culture and craftsmanship lets you bring red into your Chinese New Year outfit without being overwhelmed. Their solution – accessories. From clutches to belts and scarves, Shanghai Tang’s red accents are the perfect complement to your festive wardrobe.

For those who think red is not for them and yet want to wear the auspicious colour, accessorising is the key. Keeping red to the accessories lets you exhibit an adventurous streak while generally dressing simply. In addition, limiting the colour to the accessories means there is less of a chance of making a fashion faux pas since accessories tend to be smaller and, if all else fail, you can always take them off.

This Chinese New Year, if you want to usher in joy, prosperity and good fortune in the season’s favourite shade, there are plenty of options that will let you simplify, modernise and accentuate your look. So don’t be afraid to see a little red.

Blum & Co
Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road
02-31
Singapore 238839
Tel: 65 6337 7805
www.blumnco.com

Blum & Co
Raffles City
252 North Bridge Road
02-12
Singapore 179103
Tel: 65 66943635
www.blumnco.com

Xi
Raffles City
252 North Bridge Road
03-33A
Singapore 179103
Tel: 65 6338 1383
www.orientalxi.com

Shanghai Tang
Raffles City
252 North Bridge Road
01-28/29
Singapore 179103
Tel: 65 6338 6628