Festive Attire

Festive Attire means polished occasion dressing with a celebratory flair, so jewel tones, velvet, sequins, metallics and seasonal embellishment. It sits at a cocktail or semi formal level of formality but gives you licence to be more playful and expressive than a standard cocktail event. In Singapore, traditional cultural dress for the relevant celebration is always an excellent choice.

Singapore's multicultural calendar provides many occasions for this code across the year. Chinese New Year banquets and family gatherings fall in January or February, Hari Raya open houses move annually, Deepavali celebrations fall in October or November, and National Day dinner events fall in August. Christmas corporate parties and New Year's Eve celebrations at the city's luxury hotels and rooftop venues close the year.

A sleek all black outfit with statement accessories such as bold jewellery, a sequin clutch or metallic shoes is generally chic and acceptable for Christmas and New Year events. For Chinese New Year celebrations, avoid all black, since the colour is associated with mourning in Chinese cultural tradition. Choose red, gold or jewel tones instead.

They sit at roughly the same formality level, and Festive Attire is essentially cocktail level dressing with a seasonal or cultural celebratory edge. A cocktail dress or a dark suit are both appropriate starting points, and the festive element then comes through fabric, colour, accessories or traditional dress.

Velvet, sequins, satin, lace and brocade are all ideal, and anything that catches the light or feels luxurious is appropriate. Rich jewel tones such as emerald, burgundy and sapphire, and metallics in gold, silver or bronze, are the classic choices. Silk brocade and embroidered silk work beautifully for traditional pieces such as the cheongsam, the baju kurung and the kebaya.

Absolutely. Traditional cultural dress is not merely appropriate at Singapore festive occasions, it is warmly welcomed. A cheongsam for Chinese New Year, a baju kurung or baju melayu for Hari Raya, a sari for Deepavali, and a kebaya for broader cultural events are all excellent and respected choices. Guests who dress in a way that acknowledges the tradition being marked are well received.

Yes. White and black are traditionally associated with mourning in Chinese culture and are best avoided at Chinese New Year celebrations and banquets. Red, gold and other auspicious bright colours are the preferred palette. Deep jewel tones such as burgundy, emerald and royal blue are also excellent choices. Wearing red, or a colour with positive cultural significance, shows respect and an awareness of the occasion.

Modestly and in colour. Hari Raya open houses are family occasions, and guests are expected to cover shoulders and knees whether or not they are Muslim. Green and jewel tones are the traditional palette and are always safe, and many families choose a colour for the household that guests are welcome to echo. A baju kurung or a baju melayu is warmly received from any guest, and a modest dress with sleeves or a long sleeved top with tailored trousers works equally well. Shoes come off at the door, so choose a pair that slips off easily.

Bright, celebratory colour in a good fabric. Deepavali is a festival of light and the dress reflects it, so jewel tones, golds, oranges, pinks and rich reds all read correctly, and black is generally avoided. A sari, a salwar kameez or a lehenga is welcomed from any guest, and if you would rather not wear traditional dress, a cocktail dress or a well cut suit in a vivid colour with gold accessories fits comfortably. Expect to remove your shoes at a home visit, and expect the day to involve a lot of movement between houses.