In Italy's New Year's Eve tradition, red underwear is commonly worn to attract love and good fortune.
Wearing red garments, especially red underwear, is a widely reported Italian New Year superstition. Red is associated with passion, vitality, and good luck, so the color is worn as the calendar changes from December 31 to January 1. Some versions of the custom say the underwear should be new or received as a gift.
The practice is a superstition rather than a religious requirement, and observance differs among individuals and regions. Italy has many other New Year customs, including eating lentils for prosperity and celebrating with fireworks or family meals.
Red clothing traditions also appear in other countries, which can make national customs seem interchangeable. In the Italian version, the distinctive popular detail is red underwear worn at New Year, often with romantic or lucky associations.