Whether global or local, traditional or modern, outwardly symbolic or simply culturally inspired, one thing remains clear – Chinese New Year fashion brings joy and sets the mood for celebration, which is what matters most. Photo: By Invite Only
Fashion plays an essential role during Chinese New Year. The celebration is very much about dressing up, as it is about extending a narrative about prosperity, renewal and community life.
In this manner, collections from brands make clever use of symbolism to highlight the deeper meanings behind the celebration.
“It is deeply woven into Asian culture,” says Trixie Khong, founder of jewellery brand By Invite Only.
“Symbols have long been how we tell stories, express wishes and pass blessings from one generation to the next. They are not decorative shortcuts, but a form of cultural language.”
Khong’s festive designs are meant to be treasured, either worn as keepsakes or gifted to loved ones.
They comprise an array of charms, each with its own meaning.
The fortune cat, for example, represents good luck, while the horse charm signifies strength, progress and achievement.
There are also gourd-shaped pendants, the motif of which is cherished by the Chinese for its associations with prosperity, longevity and protection.
“Rather than being overt or costume-like, we focus on interpreting them with restraint and sensitivity, allowing the symbolism to be felt rather than loudly announced,” Khong relates.
For clothing label Fiziwoo, setting the mood comes from drawing inspiration from Hong Kong showbiz legends such as Anita Mui and Andy Lau.
Women’s designs are defined by elegance, precise proportions and understated sensuality, while the men’s collection channels masculine authority through refined shirting instead of conventional suits.
“We understand the importance of diversity and boundaries,” notes Hafizi Radzi Woo, whose father is Chinese.
Co-founder Izree Kai Haffiz has a similarly diverse heritage, with his dad being half Chinese.
“From learning in depth from our mixed-culture background and of our local environment, we understand what we can create and what we can push to be as innovative, creative and daring, yet remain restrained,” he says.
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Old meets new
While Chinese New Year is steeped in heritage, its fashion has taken on a more contemporary edge. Festive pieces today are designed to extend beyond open houses and family gatherings, fitting seamlessly into everyday wear.
Izree points to how the Fiziwoo collection is guided by modern sensibilities.
“We create quiet luxury, defined by designs that whisper craftsmanship. As a result, our pieces are made with an evergreen ideal in mind,” he explains.
Offerings for ladies pay ode to the cheongsam (also known as qipao), which come in silhouettes ranging from form-fitting to softly structured. For the guys, brocade tops carry Hawaiian collars instead of mandarin collars.
“There’s not truly one situation to wear one outfit,” Hafizi says.
“You can see how the baju Melayu and kebaya are worn at multiple events, no matter what they are. That is our culture – and the same can be said about the qipao or samfu.”
Audrey Ng, co-founder of clothing brand Shoploooh, shares how designs can be subtle yet still signal a celebration.
“For us, the balance comes from using traditional elements in a way that feels natural for how people dress today,” she says.
“Growing up, I realised that many meaningful moments during Chinese New Year aren’t the loud or festive ones. They’re the quieter details, the gentle rhythm of family gatherings, and the sense of calm that comes with starting a new year.”
The Shoploooh collection incorporates materials like denim, firmly rooted in everyday wear rather than, if ever, being associated with Chinese New Year fashion.
Also available are mini-me designs for kids, allowing the whole family to dress in coordinated looks for the season and beyond.
Shifting traditions
Indeed, Chinese New Year often centres on intimate rituals passed down through generations. These shape how the season is experienced as much as how it is dressed for.
While traditions once emphasised new clothes and must-have colours like red, pink or gold, times are changing.
“I think younger Malaysians are becoming more intentional about how they dress,” Ng claims.
“Instead of seeing it as a day where you ‘must dress a certain way’, many now choose outfits that reflect their personality and lifestyle. They want to look good, feel confident and still enjoy the celebration comfortably.”
She adds that it is now more about people expressing who they are, whether that means something festive, something modern or something simple.
“This openness is shaping a more relaxed and individual style of celebrating,” Ng says.
Khong, however, believes that Chinese New Year remains difficult to separate from family, whether to do with fashion or otherwise.
Channelling cinematic flair, Fiziwoo uses dark, moody festive visuals inspired by classic Hong Kong films. Photo: Fiziwoo“I love celebrating Chinese New Year as we greet each other with ‘Happy New Year’ or ‘Gong Hei Fatt Choy’, hands outstretched and shaken. It’s a rare moment of blessing and tenderness that ushers us into the new year.”
Memories like these continue to inspire her festive collections.
“That sense of understated connection still shapes how I approach my designs today,” Khong reflects.
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Global and diverse
While rooted in local traditions, modern interpretations of Chinese New Year fashion resonate far beyond countries like Malaysia, appealing to a wider audience.
Major fashion houses release their own festive collections each year – or at least make their best effort to capture the market with celebratory campaigns.
For many, the simplest entry point is through colour rather than attempting to reinterpret cultural designs, allowing them to embrace the seasonal spirit without missteps.
Symbolism is another key tool, with motifs like zodiac animals subtly incorporated into designs to enhance relatability.
As this will be the Year of the Fire Horse, Chloe unveiled a limited-edition collection featuring bold horse motifs and splashes of fiery red shades, blending tradition with contemporary style.
Tommy Hilfiger puts its global ambassador, Blackpink’s Jisoo, front and centre in its Chinese New Year campaign.
Festive accents, like gold buttons layered over a red- and-white striped polo T-shirt, inject seasonal cheer while keeping the look unmistakably modern and wearable year-round.
This global approach contrasts with a very unique Malaysian scene though, where cultural diversity directly shapes how Chinese New Year is celebrated through fashion.
“People here are open to different interpretations of festive wear. It doesn’t have to be traditional, as long as it feels joyful,” Ng shares.
“Because of our multicultural environment, you can see the influence of different cultures in the colours, silhouettes and styling choices we make. That’s why Chinese New Year fashion in Malaysia feels more diverse and, in many ways, more fun compared to other countries.”
In the end, whether global or local, traditional or modern, outwardly symbolic or simply culturally inspired, one thing remains clear – Chinese New Year fashion brings joy and sets the mood for celebration, which is what matters most.
