If you missed out on Lunar New Year shopping, don’t despair: the festival, celebrated across East Asia, extends from the New Year (which fell this year on January 25) to Lantern Festival (February 8.) If you didn’t grow up with the tradition, the Lunar New Year is celebrated with everything new, especially new clothes, and everything red—the traditional Chinese colour of good fortune—so a little shopping may be in order. We’ve compiled some great vermilion-hued gift ideas launched just in time for the New Year, so you won’t be left scrambling.
It’s traditional to start off the Lunar New Year with a whole new set of clothes, symbolizing a fresh start for the year to come. From two-toned quilted purses to entire suits in vibrant red wool, Burberry’s Lunar New Year range hits all the right festive hues at Holt Renfrew. This classic cashmere scarf in red Burberry check is woven in 30 different steps on traditional looms in a 200-year-old Scottish mill. The fabric is washed in local spring water and carefully brushed with teasels for a super soft finish.
Image courtesy of Burberry.
The Lunar New Year is also a good time for lengthy toasts and well wishes, often involving elaborate puns and references, but if your Mandarin is a little rusty, stick to a simple “shu nian kuai le,” or “happy year of the rat.”
Image courtesy of Lotus Whiskey/Tea Lounge.
As a fitting libation, head to the Lotus Whiskey/Tea Lounge in the Parq Vancouver for the aptly named Red Lotus cocktail. Served exclusively for Chinese New Year until February 13, this cocktail—with Glenlivet and equal parts Aperol and port (along with a dash of gold flakes)—is the perfect celebratory drink to ring in the New Year.
Image courtesy of Clé de Peau.
The Legend Colour collection from Clé de Peau’s limited-edition collection of lip finishes, all featured in the iconic Legend Red #103, makes a fitting complement to the lunar festivities. Launched 10 years ago, this signature hue holds dramatic confidence and power in four different styles: Lipstick Cashmere in matte finish; Radiant Liquid Rouge Shine; Refined Lip Luminizer in sheer finish; and Radiant Lip Gloss in dewy glow.
Image courtesy of Lululemon.
It’s traditional for anyone who was born in the year of the rat to go into the new year with red underwear, a protection against bad luck the birth year can bring. For a very Vancouver twist, try yoga wear. Lululemon serves up sweat-appropriate limited-edition Lunar New Year gear in a full range of red-and-gold spandexed glory. For the fashionably fit-forward, there’s T.H.E. Shorts in lightweight, sweat-wicking, four-way stretch with UV-protected fabric.
Image courtesy of Omega.
And just in time for Lunar New Year, Omega launches its new eyewear collection with a range of classic designs including this round vintage-inspired pair of Italian-made sunglasses in shiny gunmetal and festive red.
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