Red is the traditional lucky color worn at New Year’s Eve celebrations in Italy.
The custom is especially associated with red underwear, which is thought to bring luck, love, fertility, or prosperity in the coming year. In popular practice, the garment may be given as a gift and worn on New Year’s Eve or at the turn of the year. Some versions of the tradition say the item should be new, while others add that it should be discarded afterward.
The symbolism of red has deep roots in European and Mediterranean culture. It can suggest vitality, passion, protection, and good fortune, making it a natural color for a ritual focused on leaving the old year behind and welcoming the next one.
Italian New Year customs vary by region and family, so red clothing is a popular folk tradition rather than a universal rule. It also should not be confused with the red envelopes used during Lunar New Year celebrations in several Asian cultures.