In Italy’s New Year tradition, red clothing is commonly worn to symbolize good luck.
Red is associated with vitality, celebration, love, and protection in the Italian custom. People may wear red underwear or another red garment on New Year’s Eve, with the practice often described as a way to invite luck and prosperity in the coming year.
The tradition is cultural rather than a required religious observance, so customs differ between families and regions. Some accounts connect the modern practice with older symbolic uses of red, while others emphasize its popularity through fashion and commercial New Year campaigns.
Italian New Year celebrations also include regional foods and public fireworks. Lentils are commonly associated with wealth because their coin-like shape suggests money, while cotechino or zampone may be served in some areas. These food customs are separate from, but often celebrated alongside, the red-clothing tradition.