Every year growing up, I knew what time it was when the halls were decked with red and gold and the sound of firecrackers sizzled against the sidewalk. Chinese New Year comes with cheer, traditions, and a strict rule book. This major holiday calls for celebration and honoring of deities and ancestors. During this festival, Chinese families can be particularly meticulous about everything from the way you behave to, the things you touch, even the way you dress. Needless to say, this festival is a really big deal to Chinese communities around the world.

Here are some do’s and don’ts of Chinese New Year. Do you find these traditions strange? Don’t! All cultures have unique traditions.

Do’s:

• Eat a ton! This festival includes lots of delicious feasts with families and friends. These Thanksgiving comparable meals include juicy roasted pork, tender chicken, savory Buddha’s delight as well as puddings and cakes.
• Go home for the holidays. This is a time for people to gather and celebrate together. To make new traditions and celebrate the old. Maybe this isn’t too big of a deal for you personally, but think of how much it means to someone you love.
• Be happy and wear red. During this time, everyone takes measures to deter ill-fortune and ensure that the new year will bring good luck and prosperity. Basically, bring good vibes. Red symbolizes luck and joy! Youth receive red envelopes that contain money to bring good luck and ward away evil spirits.

Don’ts:

• Do not wash your hair on New Year’s day. Whip out your dry shampoo, because it is taboo to wash your hair on New Year’s Day. It symbolizes washing out your luck.
• Get all your cleaning done beforehand. No sweeping or dusting on New Year’s Day! You’ll sweep the luck away.
• No buying shoes. Even if new Yeezy’s are dropping, no new kicks within the first fifteen days of Chinese New Year. The pronunciation for the word “shoe” in Chinese is similar to the sound of a sigh. Meaning, you would be inviting rough times with lots of sighing.

Now that you’re all read up on what you can or cannot do during Chinese New Year, go ahead and monkey around! It’s 2016– Year of the Monkey!

Keep reading below to find my modern New Year’s inspired outfit.

I wanted to add a modern spin to a Chinese New Year outfit while still incorporating Chinese prints and lots of red. I paired a light pink Chinese print halter top, with high-waisted curve-hugging pants, classic black boots, and a bright red track jacket. Overall, I wanted to style something festive and feminine yet fierce and fresh.

I found this light pink Chinese print top, similar to the prints on cheongsams. I really adore it, it’s a beautiful elegant print with a flirty cut. It reminds me a two piece outfit I had as a child. We got it in China when we were on vacation but when we got back to America I was too embarrassed to wear it. I wish I didn’t care as much as I did and wore it anyway, but it was bad enough I didn’t have name-brand jeans as a kid. I could only imagine the stares and sneers I would have received showing up in a traditional getup.

As cheongsams have a bodycon shape, I decided to wear hip-hugging bottoms. Since I’m a little shorter with muscular legs, black boots look flattering with high-waisted pants.

You can always count on Adidas Originals on having bold colors and prints. I got this track jacket for less than half the price at a warehouse sale! Keep your eyes peeled as they come by San Francisco every year.

Gong hay fat choy! Do you dress up for holidays?

Outfit:

Jacket- Adidas Originals

Top- Valfre

Bottoms- American Apparel

Shoes- Dr. Marten’s