Red attracts attention, but that’s not why you should wear something red on New Year’s Eve. In Italy wearing something red on New Year’s Eve is a tradition with origins dating to ancient Rome.
In ancient Roman times both men and women wore something red as a symbol of power, fertility, health and wealth.
Men typically wore a toga, and women wore a stola. A woman’s stola was a dress worn over a tunic and was usually brightly colored. A fibula (or brooch) would be used as ornamentation or to hold the stola in place. Frescos and mosaics preserved throughout Italy and at sites such as Herculaneum and Pompeii depict gods, goddesses, and nobility wearing red. In fact, “Pompeian Red” is even a Pantone color (PANTONE® 18-1658 TPX).
Chinese tradition also reveres red as a color that brings luck and prosperity. It is usually worn at weddings to wish the newlywed couple good fortune. According to Chinese mythology, the Niàn, the man-eating beast can be warded off by loud noises, fire, and the color red. It became custom to wear red and place red lanterns in the window to send away evil spirits.
Valentino is the Milanese designer most associated with the color red. The colorful statuettes and sumptuous red curtains at the Barcelona Opera House struck the designer as a young man. Trying to create richness and beauty, he mixed his own color. Today, “Red Valentino” is a trademarked color.
Although you would look fabulous, you don’t have to wear an evening gown to follow the Italian New Year tradition; a red accessory or accent will do. A ribbon tied at the waist, a scarlet manicure, a silk scarf peeking out from a coat collar, a pair of red heels, or even a discreet touch of red beneath your outfit all carry the same message: vitality, protection, and a wish for abundance as the year turns. In Italy, this custom has always been less about spectacle and more about intention—one deliberate detail that says, “I’m stepping forward with confidence.”
If you want to make it feel modern rather than costume-like, treat red as you would a bold lipstick: keep the rest of the look simple and let that single note do the work. Black, ivory, camel, navy, or metallics create an elegant backdrop. For a subtle approach, choose deep tones—oxblood, garnet, or “Pompeian” brick red—especially in velvet, satin, or leather, which nod to Italy’s love of texture and craftsmanship. If you prefer something playful, try a small red bag, a hair accessory, or a piece of jewelry with a ruby-like stone.
The point is not to copy anyone’s idea of glamour, but to participate in a gesture that links the ancient and the everyday. Whether you’re celebrating in a crowded piazza, at a dinner table, or quietly at home, a touch of red turns into a personal ritual—part tradition, part style, and part hope for what comes next.
What to Wear on New Year’s Eve
Attico
The Attico – Lola Slingback Satin Pumps – Red
net-a-porter.com
La Perla
La Perla: Layla U-Wire Bra
ShopStyle.com
Gucci
Leather belt with torchon Double G buckle
gucci.com
Salvatore Ferragamo
Gancini bracelet
farfetch.com
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
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