[Street Chic] Fashion Snaps at Shanghai's Festive Market

Caption: Fit check, and season's greeting all in one.

First things first, season's greetings everybody! With 2025 being the Year of the Snake, hopefully we all successfully shed our old selves, got a chance to self-reflect and make room for a new, exciting life in the new year. The year of the Fire Horse is approaching, bringing new, hot opportunities and invigorating energy.

Some Quick Chinese Zodiac-Inspired Fashion Tips for Ringing in the Year of the Fire Horse

Now, before we dive into our Street Chic: Festival Edition, I've got some seasonal fashion advice to drop. Did you know that every year, there are specific colors recommended for welcoming the new year? These shades are based on the Chinese zodiac animal ruling that year, and the element associated with it plays a huge role too.

The funny part? In the West, we usually apply these rules to New Year's Eve instead of the Lunar New Year, which is how it's traditionally done in China. Either way, the best colors to welcome the Year of the Flaming Horse are warm, rich tones that symbolize luck, movement and ambition. Think deep wines, burgundies and burnt oranges.

Not a red person? No worries – deep, rich evergreen tones complement the fiery spirit of the 2026 Horse just as well. Gold accents are always a win, too.

And remember: There is zero pressure to go feral and buy a brand-new outfit just for New Year's Eve. Honestly, wearing something you've had for years – something you love and feel confident in – is the best choice. Plus, not contributing to the fashion industry's ongoing attack on our planet's ecosystem is always a plus.

How are we doing this edition of Street Chic?

So, how are we approaching this Street Chic? Well, unless you've been living under a Shanghai rock, there's a massive Christmas market right in the heart of The Bund: the CHRISTKINDLMARKT. And if the suspicious lack of vowels didn't give it away, yes – it's German-themed. Very popular. Very festive. Very loved by locals.

Our idea was simple: dive straight into the chaos, clock what people are wearing, and see how they're channeling the festive spirit through their OOTDs. And honestly? I think we nailed it – we caught the jolly, cozy, slightly magical vibe of a Shanghai festive night.

Without further ado...

Two Lovely Nurses Enjoying Their Hot Cocoa

Credit: Ma Xuefeng

Caption: Our first two festive victims. The lovely ladies both work at a hospital as nurses, a very noble profession. Their outfits are cute, warm and very festive.

A Cozy Scarf and a Cute Sweater, Classic Combination

Credit: Ma Xuefeng

Caption: There is something so festive about wearing a visually challenging sweater. Throw on a lovely diamond-pattern scarf and some deer antlers, and you got yourself a perfect festive OOTD.

Leopard Print Is the New Black

Credit: Ma Xuefeng

Caption: Some fashion insider tea, next year will be all about bold animal prints. Leopard, zebra, even deer prints are all going to have a chokehold on the style enthusiasts. It can be demure, elegant or festive, so be sure to get you some hot animal print next season.

Christmas Angels Came Alive

Credit: Ma Xuefeng

Caption: An interesting thing about Shanghai is the amount of lolita-style devotees you see in your day to day life. And don't they look like they just jumped off a Christmas tree right into out little article? So pretty.

Page, Our Returning Christmas Miracle

Credit: Ma Xuefeng

Caption: If you follow Street Chic, you may remember my friend Page. He diligently was helping me approaching Chinese Christmas market goers, asking them about their Christmas spirit. And we thank him and his 50 shades of grey wool ensemble.

Holiday Romance Is Alive, Thank God

Credit: Ma Xuefeng

Caption: Another very Shanghai phenomenon, is living and doing daily activities in full cosplay drag. Can't do nothing but admire the dedication and the strong ankles of the lovely lady on the left and her 10 inch platforms.

Simple Festive Elegance

Credit: Ma Xuefeng

Caption: A good wool coat will never look out of place in a winter setting. The only thing this lovely gentleman is missing are the deer antlers. Perhaps after a mug or two of the festive mulled wine, he would be inclined to put on some.

Silly Hats and Belgian Fries, a Killer Combo

Credit: Ma Xuefeng

Caption: Honestly, I don't know if I spotted his funny hat or smelled the Belgian fries first. Regardless, from my observations, people's favorite thing to wear during Christmas are cute silly hats, and their favorite festival snack are Belgian fries. I swear, I see both of them appear at every winter festival.