Red clothing is commonly associated with good luck in Italy's New Year's Eve tradition.
Many Italians wear or give red garments, especially red underwear, as part of a folk custom intended to attract luck, love or prosperity in the coming year. The practice is particularly visible around New Year's Eve, when shops and advertisements often emphasize red seasonal items.
The precise origin is not firmly established as a single historical event. Explanations commonly connect red with vitality, protection and fertility, while some accounts point to older Roman uses of red as a symbol of power and celebration. Customs vary between families and regions, so not every Italian observes the tradition in the same way.
Red clothing is one element of a broader Italian New Year's celebration that may include a long meal, sparkling wine and lentils. The color custom is symbolic rather than a religious requirement, and it should not be confused with the red envelopes associated with Lunar New Year in several Asian cultures.