Many of us enjoy the blissful rush that is retail therapy and keep looking for new excuses to shop for anything under the sun. And what better excuse to buy new outfits than yet another celebration to celebrate! Blessed is our country for having so many different cultures that we can share together!
Eve Writes | 04 February 2019
Style & Beauty : Fashion Trends
The Chinese tradition of wearing new clothes as they visited friends on New Year’s Day goes all the way back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) as it symbolizes new hopes and a fresh start, whereas during the Republican era (1912-1949) new clothes were needed to show respect to the elders.
Some families still wear traditional Chinese clothing, but many others nowadays have opted for more relaxed Western-style clothing while celebrating. No matter the reason or preferred style, it’s always a good reason to treat yourself and splurge on new clothes.
As a new year signifies new revelations, Pantone has announced that the colour of 2019 should be coral as they stated in their Instagram account it “energizes and enlivens with a softer edge. Sociable and spirited, the engaging nature of Living Coral welcomes and encourages lighthearted activity. Symbolizing our innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits. Living Coral embodies our desire for playful expression.” The pink-orange coral hue is aesthetically pleasing, with the message to nurture and not ruin the natural world as well as to preserve what we have left.
Seeing them on runways such as Prabal Gurung and Altuzarra, coral can be playfully vibrant and in your face, or muted and soft. Seeing as how there aren’t any special requirements what kind of new clothes you can wear for Chinese New Year, there is freedom in choosing to sport the latest trends when you go visiting friends and family. If looking sleek without being daring is your niche, there is always the monochrome look to save you, but do remember to break up the look by playing with cuts, textures and prints so that it won’t look dull.
On the other end of the spectrum however, you can try out one of this year’s trends that is the attention-grabbing neon. With even just a single piece, it’s bound to be a showstopper as well as a conversation starter. If you wish to pay tribute to Chinese traditional wear, however, there's a variety of styles to choose from. Even during the old days, the Chinese would keep up with the current fashion trends so you can bet the traditional wear has some modern flare to them.
The first image that comes to mind when you say Chinese traditional wear is the elegantly alluring qipao or more commonly known as cheongsam. Why the different two words, though?
The Cantonese cheongsam is used in the southern part of China whereas qipao is used in the northern region. Whichever linguistic preference, it’s such an icon all on its own that it might as well be the Asian female equivalent to Bond’s dapper suit. The qipao we are so accustomed to seeing now is contrasting to what it was when it first came into being during the Qing dynasty. A modest sheath with straight, loose cuts that only revealed the head, hands and tips of the toes, it then went through a series of changes from long to short, loose then not.
What happened was during the Chinese Revolution, Chinese tailors fled to Shanghai and brought back to life the conservative dress, only this time accentuating the female body. To get that perfect tight fit, it is recommended that you get it custom made.
Sociable and spirited, the engaging nature of Living Coral
welcomes and encourages lighthearted activity.
Symbolizing our innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits.
Living Coral embodies our desire for playful expression.
If you’re not entirely sold on the idea of donning coral in the form of clothes, might we suggest wearing them in the form of accessories to complete your look. From handbags to bracelets, let’s inject this beautiful hue into your style this year.
If you want to go the extra mile to make sure the colors look good on you, why not check your Chinese horoscope to see what colours are lucky for you this year, so you can match it to coral accordingly.
Clashing colors are also a good idea. Pairing coral with turquoise will give you fresh, beachy vibes or you can go with pink to make it look more vivacious.
Living coral is also an absolute dream in the form of makeup as well!
It’s not really orange, neither it is entirely pink and so it goes well with all skin tones. It gives such a youthful glow when brushed across the apple of your cheeks, and with just a flick of black eyeliner or black mascara, you’re all set! You’ll look like a sun-kissed natural perfection. This colour doesn’t make it look like you’ve just bawled your eyes out like pink or red does, either, and can be magically adjusted by intensifying with darker shades or muted down with nudes or shimmer palettes.
Surely something so sweet yet broadly versatile can be carried throughout the year; a new classic that doesn’t require you to step out of your comfort zone like the other forever classic red might. So consider getting everything coral an investment this year, ladies!
