In Italy, red underwear is traditionally worn around New Year's Eve for good luck.
The custom is associated with luck, love, vitality, and prosperity in the coming year. Wearing something red is especially common around the transition into the new year, and red underwear is often presented as a private or playful version of the tradition.
The practice is not limited to one single national ritual or official ceremony. Customs vary by region and family, and some accounts connect the color red with older ideas of protection and celebration. Modern versions are often promoted through seasonal displays and gift traditions.
A common mistake is to treat the custom as an Italian midnight countdown event comparable to fireworks or a public ball drop. It is instead a symbolic good-luck practice associated with the New Year period.