Your Chinese New Year ensemble is on point, now all you need is a statement piece of arm candy to go with it. Come the year of the Wood Dragon in 2024, here is our roundup of the best festive Lunar New Year handbags (read: red, gold, or dragon-themed) to nab.
It may be difficult to imagine just how fleeting time can be, but once again we find ourselves standing at the precipice of the Chinese New Year 2024 celebrations and the Year of The Wood Dragon. Constellations and zodiac motions aside, this beckons a fresh start to all aspects of life, from one’s aspirations and love life, to a brand new wardrobe.
The latter bit is especially relevant in the case of Chinese New Year outfits, when house visits, banquet dinners, and other social engagements are packed within 15 days. Predictably, the fashion world is quick to come to the rescue, with some of our favourite brands debuting dedicated fashion collections specific to the occasion.
And if you’ve already gotten your clothing and shoes sorted, now all that’s left to do is to find that perfect red/gold/dragon-themed handbag, especially if collecting red envelopes in on your agenda.
From a Louis Vuitton Speedy to Miu Miu’s Wander, here’s our roundup of the best Lunar Chinese New Year handbags to add to your cart.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Which brand has the best Lunar New Year 2024 handbag collection?
– Many major brands, such as Gucci and Loewe, have released dedicated Lunar New Year handbag designs for the festivities. Naturally, which happens to be the best depends entirely on your personal tastes.
11 best red or dragon-themed Lunar New Year handbags to cop for 2024:
Named after one of Anthony Vaccarello’s favorite cult classic films, Cleo from 5 to 7, this hobo handbag will take you through Lunar New Year and beyond in style. The red patent leather shoulder style is the perfect size for all your essentials, with bronze-toned metal hardware for a dash of edge. Expect a luxurious suede-lined interior and zipped pocket within.
The maison‘s latest SS24 menswear collection by newly minted Creative Director Pharrell Williams has infused the heritage Damier print with new verve through colour, which is especially befitting of Chinese tradition in its red incarnation. Pair your look with the Speedy Bandoulière 18 for a head-turning statement at every reunion dinner.
One of the biggest standouts from this year’s high fashion Lunar Chinese New Year capsules comes from Italian label Fendi. The whimsical collaboration incorporates aesthetics from not only streetwear stalwart FRGMT, but also the Pokémon franchise’s Dragonite, in a nod to the Chinese animal zodiac of 2024. The Baguette Soft Trunk is a structured go-everywhere bag, and features a Dragonite patch on Fendi’s signature FF Zucca print.
Since his appointment to the Spanish house, creative director J.W Anderson has made a point of turning the heritage fashion brand into one of the most exciting names in the business by fusing a peerless creative spirit with exceeding degrees of craftsmanship. For the Lunar Chinese New Year season, Loewe has introduced what they have dubbed the Jade Collection, which bridges the gap between haute couture and heritage Chinese jade carving artistry. Anchoring this collection is the Flamenco Purse mini, which now comes with a specially carved jade piece.
Note: Prices are converted from SGD to MYR based on exchange rates at the time of publication.
It’s no surprise that Daniel Lee’s tenure at Burberry has already resulted in a fresh fleet of bags that feature imaginative designs that are a testament of their refreshed vision and leather craftsmanship. A fine example of this is the Rose Clutch, which features delicately soft folds of leather to resemble the flower of passion. For the Lunar Chinese New Year, be sure to select it in Pillar Red to suit the occasion.
We love a good classic, and here it comes in the form of the Valentino Garavani Locò small shoulder bag in Toile Iconographe. Featuring red accents in the iconic monogram, the red, Lunar New Year-approved handbag comes with a detachable sliding chain strap and a detachable handle, so you can wear it as a crossbody/shoulder bag or carried as a handbag. Besides, it’s the perfect size to keep your angpao stash safe.
Red is the preferred colour of choice for the Lunar New Year, but if you’re more a metallics kinda gal, you may consider the other auspicious colour in the Chinese dictionary: gold. The La Medusa Patent Mini Bag comes finished with a striking gold sheen courtesy of its patented calf leather body, with an equally gilded Medusa plaque, top handle, and leather shoulder strap to dazzle everyone at your house visits.
There’s no better excuse to buy a new handbag than the Lunar Chinese New Year, and our money’s on the sinfully supple Miu Miu Wander matelassé nappa leather hobo bag in red. A classic in the making with its pleated leather and crescent-moon silhouette, this Italian wonder is best held close at hand for a true fashion statement.
Equal parts cute and endearing, Gucci’s latest Chinese New Year limited collection will undoubtedly set many hearts aflutter with the introduction of their brand-new GG Supreme monogram, this time updated with a baby dragon character. The Double G Mini Bag is incredibly versatile; offered in pink or green leather trim, the bag can easily contain all of your day-to-day essentials, including a phone and compact wallet, with relative ease.
For a very literal but also very adorable take on the Year of The Dragon, Tory Burch has you covered. Instead of offering a new print (which they did), you get to take home a whole baby dragon. The Dragon Mini Bag is essentially a purse tucked away in the confines of a dragon plush toy, which is also wearing his own miniature Tory Burch woven jacket and teeny-tiny red crossbody bag. Just be mindful not to stuff the little guy too full.
A considerable part of the Lunar Chinese New Year festivities often involve ushering in an abundance of prosperity, and this Coach Lunar New Year special promises to do just that. Equal parts versatile and stylish, the deep red calf leather number offers a substantial amount of storage space, with multifunction pockets within to keep your red packets well organised. The best part? That subtle dragon charm that also doubles as a talisman for good luck.
