Among all the traditions to observe for Chinese New Year, dressing up in new clothing is an integral part to welcome the New Year, and to also signify new beginnings. Everyone would dress up in brightly colored shirts, usually in red, to scare off evil spirits and bad fortune. To step this tradition up a notch, many people would dress up in traditional Chinese outfits. The females would wear a Qi Pao and male wear Chang Pao , which is a traditional Chinese dress.