Forever festive

FROG buttons, all-over lotus prints, full-on red and Mandarin collars may be all the rage every festive season. But for those of you rushing out to stock up on Chinese New Year threads, beware of impulse chinoiserie buys. Hands up if that qipao you bought during the last Year of the Monkey has spent more time in the closet than John Travolta. Apart from Shanghai Tang-themed parties, most traditional threads come with minimum style mileage. So it's crucial to strike a balance between chic and "cheena" when it comes to a timeless yet auspicious look.

"Traditional motifs like peonies, highly fitted cuts and anything in bright red is super…