Everytime CNY rolls around, spirits tend to be high with celebratory elation. Like clockwork, we’ll all inject a bold, vivid colour into our look and brightening up our CNY wardrobe almost as a rejoinder. After all, we can unanimously agree: there’s no better way to kick the new year off than with an invigorating, fresh look.
Although we’re huge advocates of bringing back the classic red dress for CNY, we get that some of you would like to switch things up a little. Consider a gear shift to other cheery shades like tangerine orange and lemon yellow this year.
Having been spotted on the spring summer ‘20 runways of designers from Valentino, Rejina Pyo and Prada, tangerine orange offers just the right intensity and brightness the festive season begs for. On the other hand, zesty spring-appropriate lemon yellow – as seen at Marc Jacobs and Emilia Wickstead, has a youthful soft look juxtaposed with a refined sophistication.
To help you get started, we’ve rounded up our favourite orange and yellow dresses to buy for this CNY. Click ahead to check out our edit.
Cut from lightweight poplin-cotton with a structured silhouette, this dress from Three Graces Londonfeatures a gathered wrap top that is cinched at the waist with a belt, en vogue balloon sleeves and a contemporary knife pleated skirt.
The slightly voluminous, airy feel renders this dress casual and summery enough for CNY visiting, yet the modern details retains its polished look. Dress it up with a pair of white sandals and wooden sculptural earrings.
This mock neck dress incorporates one of our favourite elements of CNY dressing into a dress: the use of lace.
Featuring intricate guipure lace and an uneven hem that underlines the beautiful pattern of the lace, this dress is a chic and no-brainer pick for Chinese New Year. We’ll be teaming it with a cross-body bag and a comfortable pair of kitten heels.
An ode to traditional flamenco dresses, the stunning Spanish influences on this dress by Ibizan brand De La Vali can be seen evidently via the feminine ruffled sleeves, and tiered ruffle mermaid hem.
Cut on the bias from georgette to give it a flattering shape and movement, this incredible dress also features a feather print, a low V-neck and a crystal-embellished belt.
Effortless sophistication is the look we’re going for here with this dress. Made from cotton, this orange midi dress will keep you feeling light and breezy while keeping your cool all CNY-round.
Designed with chic ‘70s fluted sleeves, a sexy plunging neck and a wrap skirt with waist ties, this one-and-done dress will even look great when teamed with a blazer for the office. Don this with a pair of ankle-strapped heels for your reunion dinner.
Exclusive to Mytheresa, this silk dress features elegant autumnal blooms captured in a watercolour painting style for a captivating artistic effect.
Showcasing a feminine and unique ruffled collar and a maxi skirt with a high slit, this sleeveless dress is practically Chinese New Year perfection with its gorgeous orange-hued florals. Anchor the statement-making dress with simple white or peachy pink mules and a matching bag.
Rendered in vibrant lemon yellow that’s bright enough to lift spirits, this dress features an empire waistline, a knotted sweetheart neckline and puffy sleeves for a romantic, modern reiteration of classic Victorian silhouettes.
Craft out your own love story in this beautiful organic cotton and linen number, and team it with a cross-body straw bag and wedge sandals for a summer-lovin’ ensemble.
A simple number with understated elegance, this polo neck dress from Diane von Furstenburg is made from silk crepe de chine for fluidity in movement and a comfortable fit.
Imparting a sense of ease and chic sensibilities, this dress can be easily dressed up with sculptural heels and a minimalist geometric tote, or dressed down with a pair of espadrilles and a shoulder bag.
We can’t get enough of lace dresses for the CNY period. Brimming with elegance and soft femininity, an incredibly pretty lace dress is an excellent way to stand out. This sleeveless midi dress features a classic collar and a sweet flared skirt.
The classic button-down design, together with its simple silhouette, adds to its class and sophistication. Pair this dress with equally bright red sneakers, a matching scarlet red lip, and dainty gold ear studs.
We’re calling 2020 the Year of The Knits. The S/S ‘20 runways were chock-full of pretty lightweight knits and crochets that looked like a (non-suffocating) hug on a summer day, encouraging us to embrace the trend with full vigour this season.
This ribbed knit dress, rendered in an outstanding shade of lemon yellow, is reminding us exactly why we fell in love with the trend in the first place. Team it with a pair of brown ankle boots and a tortoiseshell handle bag to match the sculptural belt buckle that comes with the dress.
From Jacquemus’s S/S ‘20 runway show, this gorgeous yellow knitted dress hugs the body like a glove. Designed with an off-the-shoulder neckline and a soft ribbed knit bra in a matching shade of yellow worn over the top of the dress, this hip-hugging dress flares out to a flowy, flared skirt with pleated panels.
Style this with naked strappy sandals in a bright neon colour and finish the look with a white mini clutch (that’s still big enough to haul ang paos!).