Refresh your wardrobe with these trends springing out of the Lunar New Year
Rabbits or bunnies, but never hares. There are differences between these two species where the latter is larger, with longer ears, and an even bigger pair of hind legs. Worth noting is the one similarity they do share—they hop. Hopping and hopping and hopping until they get tired. Or do they?
Fashion is the same, hopping on the next “it” thing after another. Because everything has been done, however, there are more similarities than differences in everything that is being put out—we will never be short of tried-and-tested looks. While some styles are exhausted to the very end, no one dares to stop, whether designer or consumer, so they keep coming up cycle after cycle. They power through, even amid a life-changing pandemic. And this year is no different, same as the year that will follow, and the one after it.
To counter what has always been said about the never-ending cycles in clothing yourself, and just like water in a glass or any container you can think of, fashion adapts and takes on whatever shape is holding it. You’ve got jackets and pants and even blazers made from Loro Piana Storm System fabrics that can withstand any storm, and keep you dry, without sacrificing style and comfort. And then there are trousers with a small waist bag, a modern take on the usual fanny packs that are handy for on-the-go lifestyles. There are also blazers with removable sleeves that cater to people with prosthetic arms. Although nothing is new, and everything seems familiar, there’s nothing wrong with that. Recycling is never bad, even in trending whatnots in the realm of wardrobe malfunctions and MET Gala looks.
This is the year of the water rabbit. Just like its designated animal, and whatever the idiom “breeding like rabbits” means, this will be another year full of fleeting fashion trends or treasured classics. Just like the element this year is so honorably connected to, it is genderless, a force of nature, and most of all, it is fluid—shapeless forms that either hug you tightly deep in the abyss or flow with you just like the river that guides you to the sea as you strut your way to the world.
What better way to use a corny pun than now, in the year of every kid and kid at heart’s third favorite furry pet. So, without further ado, here are some looks, brands, and trends you can hop on to this year.
1. Colors
If you’re the type to wear neutrals or monotones or even just the all-black looks that Rick Owens and other avant-garde designers push for, then that’s okay. But it’s fun to play with color sometimes. Adding some pop can change your whole look, make you more approachable, or even a tad bit mysterious, but the freshest person in the room.
In feng shui, it’s good to incorporate pops of fuchsia, green, blue, and red this 2023 to bring you prosperity, love, and good health. In the world of Pantone colors and hex codes in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Viva Magenta is this year’s shade. It’s a great color, somewhere close to being warm, but still with a coolness to it.
Any colored piece in your wardrobe that you mix and match will always work as long as you like it and if you’re comfortable and confident enough to pull it off.
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2. Ferragamo’s Year of the Rabbit capsule collection
The rabbit is considered to be the luckiest animal in the zodiac. Quoting one of Vogue’s articles surrounding the 2023 Lunar New Year trends, it is “a symbol of mercy, elegance, and beauty,” and that is what Ferragamo’s capsule collection evokes.
It’s a beautiful take on everyday items like a t-shirt and a headscarf, but there are also bags in all shapes and sizes. Littered in motifs like a pair of bunny eyes, most of the garments are also in red, one of the luckiest colors this year.
Ferragamo’s Lunar New Year capsule is set to come out in mid-January at select boutiques and on its website, Ferragamo.com.
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Just like water, the element this year is so honorably connected to, it is genderless, a force of nature, and most of all, it is fluid—shapeless forms that either hug you tightly deep in the abyss or flow with you just like the river that guides you to the sea as you strut your way to the world.
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3. Furry, hairy, fun
Any rabbit or rabbit adjacent themed wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without something furry or hairy. From cardigans to jackets with hairy sleeves, nothing is without hair this 2023.
It might be a bit itchy to wear, but as the “tiis ganda” saying goes, nothing else matters when you’re the most stylish person in the room.
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4. Bunny ears
Nothing beats funky headwear with exaggerated ears, such as those of this year’s assigned animal. From caps to beanies to balaclavas, you’ll see one rabbit-eared headdress out in the wild wherever you go.
It may be a bit hard to style, but the fun thing about this trend is that you can wear it on the go, or elevate an everyday outfit into an extraordinary ensemble. There’s always a piece that will stand out from your outfit of the day, so why not make it the hat, and let people see the head and the face that’s wearing it?
To the people thinking they’re too old to wear such a weird headpiece, don’t fret. This is totally for the young and old and in-betweeners, for the people who like to dress up, and for those who are in love with rabbits.
There’s still a lot in store for the fashionista in you this 2023, and these are just the tip of it. After all, it’s just the start of an amazing year. The countless trends do not necessarily have to be all designer, save for the Ferragamo shout-out of course because you can look great despite the name on the tag attached to your clothing.
If you like it, go wear it. Dress the most normal or the most exaggerated way you want to, or even both. You can always hop on trends, but don’t just do it for the sake of getting that coveted approval from strangers. It’s not easy to pull a rabbit out of the hat, but this year’s surprise twist is that you can dress as fluidly as you want to.
