An annual affair which requires tonnes of prep, shopping for new clothes ranks as highly as decorating the house and stocking up on snacks as far as Chinese New Year rituals go. When it comes to bai nian outfits, there’s a fine balance to be struck between not offending your relatives with inauspicious colours, and not looking like a walking lantern sporting tacky prints that you’ll only wear once a year.
We put together a lookbook of 16 stylish CNY clothes which you’d actually still want to wear regularly throughout the rest of the year. Best part? They can all be purchased conveniently under one roof at 313@somerset, saving you loads of time and effort this busy period.
Read till the end to find out exclusive CNY promotions at 313@somerset!
For the sartorially cautious who shy away from patterns or graphics on regular days, the festive season is your chance to opt for some bold prints. Think CNY prints and gaudy shades of red with gold glitter and florals come to mind though, and we don’t blame you for not wanting to resemble CNY decorations.
Yellow Mustard Tube Top, $3.99 & Floral Printed Navy Skirt, $17.99 both from TEMT (#B2-34)
The long skirt sports a medley of warm-toned colours that aren’t too in-your-face, but bright and contrasting enough to evoke a jolly vibe. The florals are also tastefully designed, leaning more towards avant-garde than pasar malam.
New Balance WX608 Sneakers, $119 from LE Undergound (#03-22)
Pump up this sweet and girly look with some chunky dad-style sneakers. The comfort and support will be a godsend as you make your way from house to house all throughout Singapore!
Whether your bai nian destination is somewhere more luxe or you’re paying a visit to a professional associate, CNY outfits can afford to be formal without looking like you’re stepping into a meeting or courtroom.
Karley Belted Blazer in Oak Brown Latte Plaids, $59 from The Editor’s Market (#03-01)
Donning a chic, well-tailored blazer instantly ups your formal factor tenfold, all while retaining high wearability so you don’t stick out like a sore thumb even within more casual settings. Plus, the thin checkered pattern on this design is a stunner!
Rawdon Belted Pants in Hazelnut, $49 from The Editor’s Market (#03-01), Converse Chuck 70 High Top in Parchment, $119 from LE Underground (#03-22) & Pruinina Long Purse in Beige, $79 from ALDO (#02-22).
Veer away from predictable plain black pencil skirts and slip into a sleek yet comfy pair of trousers instead. The tan colour makes you look polished and sophisticated, while the cut and fabric belt detailing spell more elegance than an ordinary pair of skinny jeans would.
Rather than racking your brains to find the perfect matching top-and-bottom combo, save some time and effort by throwing on a one-piece outfit and heading straight out the door.
Apryl Ruffle Hem Dress in Fruity Punch, $43.90 from Love, Bonito (#02-16) & PUMA Suede Heart Artica Sneakers in White, $149 from LE Underground (#03-22).
The eclectic prints come together to resemble a modern art piece from afar. But upon closer inspection, you’ll realise that this sleeved dress sports cute and quirky graphics of fruits such as pineapples, watermelon and avocado instead. Certainly a good conversation starter! Pssst… the cute silhouette also makes it perfect for picnic dates or romantic strolls at the park throughout the rest of the year.
Every year without fail, CNY is a festive occasion of feasts interspersed between snacking sessions. To not only conceal your inevitable food baby but add an ethereal touch to your overall ensemble, opt for outfits that are loose and flowy.
Patwin Button Shirtdress in Ochre, $49 from The Editor’s Market (#03-01), Ocoasien Block Heel Mules in Black Suede, $129 & Ridout Crossbody Bag in Pink, $89 both from ALDO (#02-22).
Looking like the love child of button-up shirts and nightgowns, this fashion-forward collared dress provides supreme comfort and ease of movement. It’s also equipped with every girl’s #1 want and need in clothes: REAL pockets.
One of the biggest concerns every CNY especially for style-conscious youths is the need to placate relatives who yield traditional superstitions with regard to festive clothes. Namely, never committing the sin of wearing black or other equally ominous dark shades.
Instead of wasting money on a brightly emblazoned piece just for CNY, purchase basic staple pieces that will serve you well for seasons to come.
Emari Square-Neck Crop Top in Vermilion, $35 from The Editor’s Market (#03-01).
This coral coloured top is auspicious enough to conjure images of mandarin oranges and Chinese lanterns in the minds of the older generation, but stylish and current enough to rock on a casual day out even after CNY passes.
Checkered Black Skirt, $24.99 from TEMT (B2-34), Larusa Criss Cross Round Toe Slip-On in White, $139 & Agrawen Bag in Red, $69 both from ALDO (#02-22).
This figure-hugging skirt comes in a comfortable and conservative length where you don’t have to fidget with the hem to prevent it from riding up. As icing on the cake, it even has faux belt detailing so you can do away with additional accessories. It also adds a hint of sparkly gold, which your prosperity-seeking relatives are sure to appreciate. For the rest of the year, this slinky skirt can act as your cocktail party go-to!
Image credit: 313@somerset
Directly linked to Somerset MRT station, 313@somerset is a convenient one-stop destination in town for you to settle all your CNY shopping. The mall is occupied by trendy retailers across various aesthetics, so you can be sure of snagging pieces that tickle your fancy whether you want to rock an edgy street-chic look or a dainty floral ensemble.
You can also score freebies and win shopping vouchers from now till 8 Feb:
Fortune In A Pouch
Image credit: 313@somerset
Spend $88 from now till 8th February to redeem 1 free set of ang pows and a fortune pouch.
Maximum 3 combined same-day receipts. Limited to first 2,500 redemptions, 1 redemption per shopper per day.
Shop & Huat To The Top
For a minimum spend of $10* within a single receipt to register, the top Lendlease Plus spender at 313 every week from now till 6th February will receive a whopping $680 worth of Lendlease vouchers, for even more shopping sprees ahead.
Week 1: 3rd – 9th Jan ‘20
Week 2: 10th -16th Jan ‘20
Week 3: 17th Jan – 23rd Jan ‘20
Week 4: 24th Jan – 30th Jan ‘20
Week 5: 31st Jan – 6th Feb ‘20
*Receipts can be accumulated within the stipulated week. Weekly winners will not quality for subsequent weeks’ prizes. Winners will be announced by 29th February.
Image credit: 313@somerset
Prosperous Rewards
There’ll also be $10 Lendlease vouchers plus an additional $10 Fat Cat Arcade tokens up for grabs for shoppers who spend $180 and above from now till 8th February. Lendlease Plus members only need to spend $150!
Maximum 3 combined same-day receipts. Limited to first 1,300 redemptions, 1 redemption per shopper per day.
Last but not least, document your day out on the ‘Gram for a chance to win shopping vouchers by taking part in 313@somerset’s Instagram contest from now till 8th February.
Simply follow the official 313@somerset Instagram, post your 313 shopping moments on IG Story with an @-mention of the store, tag @313somerset and hashtag #313CNYSTYLE.
8 winners stand to win $80 worth of Lendlease vouchers each. Good luck!
This post was brought to you by 313@somerset.
Photography by Faith Toh.
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