SINGAPOREANS are seeing red as more go for auspicious scarlet undergarments this Chinese New Year, which falls on Jan 26.

Shops and distributors of lingerie and undergarments told my paper that they have seen a spike in the sale of red bras, briefs and boxers.

For lingerie maker Triumph International, sales of red women's underwear had gone up by at least 10 per cent - "high double- digit growth" - since December last year.

Local undergarment distributor Vizon said it had seen a jump in sales since Jan 1 for its red underwear for both men and women.

In previous years the spike in demand could be up to 30 per cent in the month before Chinese New Year, as compared to other months.

Triumph was quick to latch on to the trend.

It held workshops last week on lucky lingerie colours such as red, which represents ambition and luck.

Its vice-president for marketing, Ms Lorna Tio, said: "We think explaining the concept of auspicious colours helped to increase our sales of red lingerie."

Vizon managing director Richard Wang said red is considered an auspicious colour and an essential part of fengshui, or Chinese geomancy.

Agreeing, merchandiser Emily Tan said she bought red underwear for good luck.

"My fengshui master told me I lack the element of fire. But I can make up for it and improve my luck by wearing red lingerie," she said.

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