Stitched in Tradition: Tales of Lunar New Year Attire
Written by Sara McQuaid, Creative Content Manager @ Threading Change
Wednesday, January 29th, 2025
5-minute read.
Happy Lunar New Year from our community to yours!
New Year’s celebrations, whether aligned with the solar or lunar calendar, are rich with traditions designed to usher in good fortune, prosperity, and joy. Clothing often takes center stage in these customs, carrying both symbolic meaning and cultural stories into the year ahead. In Brazil, for instance, wearing white on New Year’s Eve represents peace and renewal. Meanwhile, in England, some believe doing laundry on New Year’s Day could “wash” someone out of the family—a superstition my Leicester-born grandmother insists we observe each year to safeguard her against a premature death via a misplaced Tide pod. Similarly, Lunar New Year traditions emphasize the significance of attire, with bold red and gold garments symbolizing luck, wealth, and a fresh start.
“Lunar New Year is a vibrant celebration observed across many countries in Asia, brimming with rich traditions, rituals, and festivals to honor the passage of time and the arrival of a new year. It’s a moment to reflect on the stories we crafted in the past year and to embrace the blank pages of a new chapter awaiting us.”
The festival begins on the first day of the first lunar month, coinciding with the new moon closest to the start of spring, typically falling between late January and mid-February. As a lunar event, it does not have a fixed date on the solar calendar, making each year’s celebration unique in its timing.
Historians trace Lunar New Year’s origins to ancient China, where it marked the end of the winter harvest, blending agricultural, mythological, and social traditions. Today, the holiday is celebrated in countries with cultural ties to China—such as Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar, South Korea, and Malaysia—as well as in Asian communities worldwide. While each country adds its own unique traditions and cultural flair, some customs remain universal. Families spend days cleaning their homes to sweep away bad luck and unwelcome spirits, while businesses close to allow time for rest, shared meals, ancestor worship, and the enjoyment of dazzling fireworks displays.
A standout feature of Lunar New Year celebrations is the stunning attire worn during the festivities. In traditional agricultural societies across Asia, new clothing was a rarity, as families living far from cities had limited access to new fabric and little time for crafting garments. Lunar New Year, however, marked a special occasion when red and gold attire took center stage, symbolizing fire and energy—powerful representations of luck, renewal, and the transformation of misfortune into prosperity.
Read on to discover more about the meaningful clothing worn during Lunar New Year and its profound role in telling the stories of this cherished celebration across Asia!
Source: Unsplash
China
In ancient China, clothing was considered sacred, and receiving new garments was a rare occasion. As the New Year celebrations began, people would don their new clothing to invite fresh luck into the year. The Cheongsam (Qipao) for women and the Tangzhuang (Tang Suit) for men both draw inspiration from the traditional Manchu-style clothing of the Qing Dynasty. These garments can be crafted from various fabrics, including satin, silk, cotton, or velvet. The Qipao evolved from the loose-fitting robes of that era into the modern, fitted style that gained popularity in 20th-century Shanghai. Similarly, the Tang Suit is a contemporary adaptation of the Manchu Magua jacket, now celebrated as a symbol of Chinese cultural pride during festive occasions. While both garments trace their origins to Manchu traditions, their modern forms reflect a harmonious blend of historical influences and contemporary design.
A group of teachers from Da Qiao Primary School stand in a line wearing the classic cheongsam. Source: Donated by Tang Kian Cheong, and displayed at the Heritage Roadshow 2008. HRS3_107.
In 2003, the Hanfu Revival movement gained momentum across China, encouraging the resurgence of traditional Han Chinese fashion from the pre-Qing era. Modern Hanfu preserves its iconic flowing silhouette while introducing contemporary elements such as cropped designs, tailored cuts, and fusion styles that combine traditional motifs with Western influences. At its heart, Hanfu acts as a bridge between history and modernity. Wearing Hanfu for Lunar New Year allows individuals to honor their cultural heritage while celebrating the spring festival with elegance and a deep connection to the past.
Image 1: [Snow guest] Song Hanfu autumn and winter woolen set, by YandanHanfu
Image 2: Shanjian Ming Hanfu, light blue ink painting style super immortal ancient clothing, by YandanHanfu
Image 3: Afternoon Overture Daily Hanfu, by YandanHanfu
South Korea
South Koreans celebrate two major holidays marking the passage of time: Lunar New Year in January (Seollal) and Chuseok (the Harvest Moon Festival) in October. To honor these important cultural festivals and life events, Korean men and women wear a traditional embroidered outfit called the Hanbok. For women, the Hanbok consists of a short jacket (jeogori) that secures several layers of fabric beneath a brightly colored, flowing skirt (chima). The men’s version features a long-sleeved, wide jacket (jeogori) paired with loose-fitting pants (baji).
Wearing the Hanbok holds special significance during an important Lunar New Year ritual known as Sebae. Dressed in their Hanboks, the youngest family members bow deeply to show respect and pledge filial piety to their elders. In return, they receive Sebaet Don: a few words of wisdom and pocket money, often presented in a beautifully embroidered silk pouch.
Image 1: Traditional Couple Hanbok, by Hanbok Sarang
Image 2: Traditional Dalbit Sori Female Hanbok in Skyblue, by Jote-Ta Korean Online Store
Vietnam
Vietnam's history with China, shaped by centuries of cultural influence and periods of rule, is reflected in many aspects of its traditions, including Lunar New Year, known as "Tết." This term is a shortened form of Tết Nguyên Đán, meaning "Feast of the First Morning of the First Day." One of the most iconic pieces of traditional Vietnamese clothing associated with Tết is the áo dài for women. Its origins date back to 1744 when Vietnam was divided into the Inner Land (Đàng Trong) and the Outer Land (Đàng Ngoài). Lord Nguyễn Phúc Khoát, a significant ruler of the Inner Land, introduced a front-buttoned gown paired with trousers, known as the áo ngũ thân, to distinguish his people from others. This five-panel garment, often crafted from luxurious silk and adorned with intricate designs and colors, was used by the royal court and elite to signify their rank.
Image 1: Traditional Cyan Matching Ao Dai Set, by Cute Sass
Image 2: Light Yellow Blossoms Modern Ao Dai Set, by Cute Sass
Image 3: Huyen Mi - Blue Branches Modern Ao Dai Set, by Cute Sass
In the 1930s, Vietnamese artist Le Mur Nguyễn Cát Tường modernized the áo dài by simplifying it into a sleek two-panel design. He extended the front flap to the ankles and tailored the fit for a more contemporary look. Initially controversial, the new style gained acceptance after Le Mur created an áo dài collection for Queen Nam Phương, the wife of Vietnam's last emperor, Bảo Đại. This modern version became widely popular among urban women, cementing the áo dài as a timeless symbol of Vietnamese culture and fashion.
Images 1 & 2: Rare Vintage Photos of Beautiful Empress Nam Phuong From Between the 1920s and 40s, by Vintage EveryDay
Malaysia
Lunar New Year is widely celebrated in Malaysia, reflecting the country’s close ties to Chinese culture. A significant Chinese population resides in Malaysia, stemming from large-scale migration during the 19th and early 20th centuries. These migrations were driven by British colonial economic policies, which encouraged Chinese laborers to work in the tin mining and rubber industries. During this period, Chinese immigrants in Malaysia faced limited access to traditional Cheongsams from China, as importing them was both costly and impractical. To adapt, they began crafting Cheongsams using locally available batik fabric, giving rise to a distinctive style known as batik Cheongsams.
While this practice waned for a time due to the increased accessibility of imported garments, batik Cheongsams have experienced a resurgence in recent years. The Malaysian Chinese community now embraces this unique style as a way to honor their Southeast Asian heritage while distinguishing themselves from their ancestral roots in China. Similar to China, Tang Suits for men are also popular during Lunar New Year, reflecting shared cultural traditions.
“TC is incredibly proud to highlight the work of our amazing Development & Impact Director, Aish Mann, who collaborated with an animation team to bring the story of Lunar New Year to life. ”
Myanmar
Lunar New Year is not a national holiday in Myanmar and instead, the country celebrates its own New Year in April called Thingyan, which has been added to UNESCO’s preliminary list of World Intangible Cultural Heritage Festivals. Thingyan boasts its own rich traditions, including the special custom of pouring water onto friends and family to symbolize washing away bad luck. Unlike Lunar New Year, Thingyan is based on astrological calculations. People often wear longyi, a sarong-like garment, with men donning the pasoe and women wearing the htamain. These are paired with light, comfortable tops, ideal for the water-throwing festivities.
However, Lunar New Year, remains of great significance to the Chinese diaspora in Myanmar and is widely celebrated in Chinese neighborhoods. The community continues to observe all of the holiday’s cherished traditions, such as lion dancing, festive meals, and honoring their ancestors. Similar to Malaysia, the Chinese Burmese community wears outfits inspired by traditional Chinese styles, like the cheongsam (qipao) for women and the Tang suit for men. These garments, often made of silk, feature classic red or gold hues with intricate patterns. Younger generations may opt for more contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements, such as red dresses or shirts, to stay connected to their heritage while welcoming a year of luck, wealth, and good fortune.
Image 1: UNESCO, Thingyan
Image 2 Student wearing Longyi as uniforms, pre-colonial time traditional clothes Htamein, by IndoChina Voyages Voyages
What luck will find you in 2025?
Lunar New Year is more than just a celebration of the changing calendar—it is a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with the cultural threads that bind us to our heritage, family, and community. Across Asia, traditional clothing plays a vital role in honoring the past while embracing the promise of a fresh start. From the intricate embroidery of the hanbok to the graceful silhouette of the áo dài, each garment tells a story of resilience, gratitude, and pride. These outfits are not only symbols of cultural identity but also tapestries of history, connecting us to family members who are no longer physically with us. By wearing these traditional pieces, communities around the world honor their ancestors, celebrate their roots, and step confidently into the new year, carrying centuries of history in every stitch.
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Edited by: Luiza Giocondo Teixeira, Communications & Engagement Director @ Threading Change
Sara McQuaid
Sara is a writer and teacher currently working in Montreal, Quebec. She has a Honours Bachelor degree in History from Trent University and a Master's Degree in History from KU Leuven, focusing on women's history. Her passion for understanding contemporary challenges and love of fashion has inspired her to shift into the sustainable industry. She hopes to shape history by helping to change the future of fashion into one that is fossil-free and equitable.
