Fab 5: The rat race
Credit to Author: Stephen Snelgrove| Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2020 19:00:02 +0000
According to the Chinese zodiac story, the rat comes first — it apparently won a race of all the animals by hitching a ride across the river on the ox, then jumping down before the ox crossed the finish line.
If you were born in the Lunar Year of the Rat (the zodiac has a 12-year cycle, so 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, and so on), you’re thought to be quick-witted, diligent, resourceful, and smart (though not that courageous). Everyone else, well, just join in the celebration — a little moon cake, lion dance, or red envelope never hurt anyone.
And if you’re seeking something stylish, Rebecca Tay presents five pieces to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
For a pared-down take on Lunar New Year, look to this 18-karat yellow gold necklace from the Cable Collectibles collection by David Yurman. Not only is the diamond-and-tsavorite-encrusted lucky bamboo pendant subtle and luxurious, we bet the necklace become a new staple in your daily wardrobe.
David Yurman, davidyurman.com | $1,000
This ‘Garland’ blouse by American brand Veronica Beard — which is, not coincidentally, designed by two women named Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard — is the perfect top for Lunar New Year celebrations and beyond. Besides its standout hue (red is the colour of luck and prosperity, after all), it looks great over a dinner table and adds a fashion-forward touch to jeans or a basic black skirt.
Rebecca Bree, rebeccabree.com | $495
If wearing colour comes about as naturally to you as walking backwards, but you’re also well aware that wearing black and white for Lunar New Year is considered bad luck (they’re shades associated with mourning), say hello to these cute red flats. Not only are they chic and comfortable (and on sale, hurrah), they’re about the subtlest way to incorporate this good luck hue into your wardrobe.
Zara, zara.com | $45.90 ($19.99)
Love everything about the colour red, Lunar New Year, and, well, Off-White? Enter this printed tote bag, available exclusively (alongside a few other items for the occasion) at Farfetch. It features the brand’s signature bulldog clip detail, slogan in quotation marks, and a pretty little blossom.
Farfetch, farfetch.com | $1450
Need something at IKEA? Why not head there around Lunar New Year — on January 18, there will be a traditional lion dance in both the Coquitlam and Richmond stores (at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., respectively), while the IKEA Richmond restaurant will even be offering a dim sum combo meal or braised beef stew from the Jan. 18 to Jan. 26. While you’re there, pick up a set of these super-cute lantern string lights (and whatever else is on your list — heaven forbid you forget that!).
IKEA, ikea.ca | $14.88