6 sneakers for Chinese New Year 2024, the Year of the Dragon, from Burberry’s classic checked red and Tory Burch’s charming illustrated shoes, to Moncler and Bottega Veneta’s athletic trainers

Jan 17 , 2024

Will the upcoming Dragon year also be the year of the sneaker? Check out pieces by Golden Goose (pictured) and more. Photos: Handout

Sneakers are the new luxury shoe of choice: having broken past the casual streetwear labels for several seasons now, trainers are now making their presence known on runways and red carpets.

For the Year of the Dragon, luxury brands from Tory Burch to Bottega Veneta have hopped on the sneaker train too, dropping a number of eye-catching styles that will help you make a fashion statement this Lunar New Year holiday.

Below, check out six of our top picks for the Year of the Dragon, which will be a hit among sneakerheads and non-sneakerheads alike.

1. Burberry

Burberry’s print, but in red, is a perfect choice for Lunar New Year

Burberry’s classic checked print comes alive in red on the check woven creeper shoes, making it the preppy trainer of choice for the Year of the Dragon. If you’re not ready to go all in on trainers just yet, you can stick with the brand’s classic Chelsea boots instead.

Well-known for its sleek, autumn ready-to-wear, Burberry is an ideal luxury label for Hong Kong’s chilly but not too cold Lunar New Year weather. Complete the look with a classic trench or special cashmere scarf from the festive capsule collection, or throw on a baseball cap or bucket hat for some added cheer.

Fendi’s Chinese New Year collection for 2024, the Year of the Dragon

2. Tory Burch

Tory Burch has a Good Luck trainer for the coming zodiac year, with its monogram and cloud accents

For a more feminine and playful preppy look, check out Tory Burch’s latest edition of the Good Luck trainer for the Year of the Dragon, with its signature monogram print and pixelated cloud accents – a nod to the dragon’s sky-high home.

Its laid-back, cutesy cousin, the Ladybug sneaker, is a flat-top trainer that wouldn’t look out of place any other time of the year, either.

More clouds appear across the Tory Burch collection

Clouds make an appearance across the rest of the capsule collection’s cosy winter pieces too, ranging from cardigans to pullovers. If clouds aren’t quite on the nose enough for you, the Dragon espadrilles are sure to give you a spring in your step with their beautifully detailed illustrations.

To fully embrace the Year of the Dragon, consider the Dragon espadrilles by Tory Burch

3. Moncler

For the holiday season, Moncler has updated its classic Trailgrip trainers with a splash of colour

Moncler’s Trailgrip trainers are equally functional and fashionable, with an instantly recognisable rugged sole designed to adapt to any sort of terrain. For the Year of the Dragon, the classic shoe is reimagined in an array of bright and joyful colours reflecting the holiday.

The brand opts for a hot pink sole instead of the obvious red, with a rubber flourish reminiscent of a dragon’s skin crawling up the front of the shoe. Reflective mesh patterns on the shoe give way to what looks like dragon scales, making this an eye-catching choice to say the least. Not bad for a Lunar New Year hike!

Gucci’s Chinese New Year capsule collection for the Year of the Dragon 2024

4. Bottega Veneta

You cannot miss the Lunar New Year vibes on this shiny red Bottega Veneta trainer

Bottega Veneta’s bright and bold Lunar New Year trainers reflect the sleek and innovative approach that has made creative director Matthiew Blazy so popular. The brand’s unisex low-top Orbit trainer, a lightweight shoe made for movement, is great for any fashionista on the go. It gets a holiday facelift here by being reimagined in a shiny, flashy red.

Bottega Veneta’s trainer also comes in yellow, a royal colour in Chinese culture

The best part about these trainers, which are available in a range of other colourways, is how well they integrate into the brand’s larger capsule collection. Picture yourself rocking these kicks with a bespoke Jodie bag with a dragon’s scales and tail as the handle. Cool and cheeky, just like the brand itself.

This bespoke Jodie bag from Bottega Veneta has a dragon’s scales and tail as the handle

5. Golden Goose

Golden Goose, an Italian luxury brand, has limited edition Lunar New Year trainers featuring the dragon

All fashion insiders know Golden Goose trainers always retain retro value, and this year’s Lunar New Year edition will be no different. Sure to be an instant classic, the Italian luxury brand’s limited-edition Ball Star and Super-Star sneakers feature the distinctive Golden Goose star alongside gorgeous illustrations of birds, blossoms, and of course, the dragon – all symbols which are deeply rooted in Chinese culture.

Golden Goose sneakers are known to retain retro value

The brand opts for a light peach shade to accent the shoes in a nod to 2024’s Pantone colour of the year, peach fuzz. A great option for those who would prefer to stick to white trainers while still celebrating the Lunar New Year holiday.

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6. Geox

In a collaboration with The Flying Hawk Studio, Geox has created a line of limited edition trainers with dragons

If you’re looking for home-grown pieces, Italian brand Geox has collaborated with Hong Kong-based The Flying Hawk Studio to create its Lunar New Year collection of limited edition collectibles available exclusively in Asia. With hand-drawn dragons and the Geox logo in big graffiti letters, these trainers are streetwear gold.

The designs come in a variety of colours and you can even add a sterling silver shoe charm, a little accessory adding some bling to your walk. Crafted from supple white napa, the trainers are a comfortable everyday alternative to high heels or fancy flats.

Bonus: Loro Piana

Beyond trainers, you can also consider suede loafers, such as these by Loro Piana

In case you’re not convinced to up your trainer game this Lunar New Year, Loro Piana’s classic and comfortable suede loafers provide a pretty good alternative. Embellished with a small and sleek dragon charm, the Summer Walk shoes are a subtle answer to the loud and proud maximalism that usually arrives with Lunar New Year capsule collections.

The loafers also come in shades of pastel blue, for when you want to tone it down a notch

Available in soft shades of pastel blue and pink, the loafers are sure to bring life to more toned-down looks, or serve as that perfect finishing touch for over-the-top outfits that go too hard on the red. If you refuse to break your quiet luxury streak for the holidays, this is the go-to shoe for you.

Lunar New Year

Signature prints by luxury brands get a revamp for the Year of the Dragon, from Burberry’s checked pattern to Tory Burch’s monogram and cute cloud accents on its Good Luck trainers
Meanwhile, Moncler and Bottega Veneta take a more athletic approach with shoes that might be better suited for hiking in the mountains than casual strolls