Prosperity Dressing: How Lola Tung Mastered Lunar New Year Style on a Budget
There’s something utterly captivating about a young star who understands the assignment—and darling, Lola Tung didn’t just understand it, she elevated it to an art form at Gold House’s Lunar New Year Gold Celebration in New York City this past Thursday evening.
The breakout sensation from Prime Video’s beloved series “The Summer I Turned Pretty” arrived at the soirée in a masterclass of accessible glamour, anchoring her entire ensemble with Betsey Johnson’s Nikki heels—a surprisingly democratic choice at just $129. But make no mistake, these weren’t your average budget-friendly pumps. The black mesh textile uppers came embroidered with intricate beadwork and sequins, perched atop a flared three-inch heel with that signature Betsey Blue sole peeking out from beneath. The pointed-toe silhouette with its delicate slingback strap offered just the right amount of sophistication without sacrificing the playful DNA that makes Betsey Johnson so irresistibly charming.
Yet it was Tung’s embrace of red—that most auspicious of hues in Chinese culture—that truly commanded attention. The actress, who celebrates both Chinese and Swedish heritage, draped herself in a voluminous faux fur coat in the most glorious apple red, its shaggy texture adding dimension and drama to every movement. Beneath, she layered an even brighter crimson turtleneck, because when it comes to invoking prosperity and good fortune, why not double down?
The genius lay in her proportional play. Against the coat’s generous silhouette, Tung selected a dark gray asymmetrical skirt with flirty ruffles dancing along its high-low hemline—a study in textural contrast that felt fresh and youthful. Sheer black tights provided the perfect canvas for those show-stopping heels, which featured black-and-gold floral embroidery nodding gracefully to traditional Chinese motifs.
Her accessories told their own story: a black studded Hammitt micro bag punctuated with a red silk scarf, moto-inspired sunglasses that screamed downtown cool, and a generous stack of chunky gold hoops that caught the light with every turn. An assortment of statement rings completed the jewelry narrative, while her beauty choices—silky blown-out hair, rosy blush, and glossy pink lips—kept things effortlessly polished.
The evening brought delightful reunions, with Tung posing alongside “TSITP” co-star Sean Kaufman and hitting the dance floor with Hudson Williams from the viral sensation “Heated Rivalry.” It’s this kind of generational camaraderie that makes fashion’s future feel so wonderfully promising.
