Years ago, a popular brand of children’s underwear had an advertising campaign where young children and toddlers paraded around in their underwear. To the tune of Happy Birthday, a studio chorus sang Happy Underwear to you…

Their expressions were positively joyful.

I have thought about this commercial a lot during the first days of 2016. When discussing goals for the year with a friend, he volunteered plans to re-stock his collection of briefs with some new pieces (probably too much information considering our relationship).

When I spoke on the phone with a friend who had lived in China for many years, I told her that I was expecting a good year because on February 8^th, we will be entering the Year of the Monkey, my birth sign according to the Chinese Zodiac.

She told me a little about the tradition of benming nian. In the beginning of your birth year (which comes around every 12 years), instead of automatically welcoming good fortune, one has to be on guard and take actions to avoid ill fates.

So, if it’s your year, it is customary to wear red, which represents good fortune. A common sight, she recalled, was seeing red underwear hanging out to dry. (Wearing red underwear, as opposed to red scarves or outerwear, was developed as a strategy for attracting good fortune while not revealing one’s age.)

Although not especially superstitious, I liked the idea of buying myself something new with the intention of ushering success and happiness into my life.

During lean years, I remember thinking of buying a new pair or two of panties as a way to tell myself that I deserved good things. Not a big expenditure, it was still a way to send a little message to my subconscious mind that I didn’t have to be miserly with myself.

Charged with the mission of finding red underwear, I went to a department store in a nearby mall and marched towards the Intimate department. Not only did I want to make sure I was generous with myself, I wanted to feel LUCKY.

I usually exercise style preferences based on what feels comfortable, but I never gave much thought to COLOR.

What a wonderland! The store had more choices than I imagined, or at least more than I ever paid attention to.

I skipped bins of bikinis and thongs (butt floss) and looked at rainbows of colored panties worn by mini mannequins and displayed on hangers.

Along with different shades of red, I saw pinstriped panties (as if they should be worn by bankers) and leopard-spotted and tiger-striped pairs suitable for anyone wishing to get in touch with their inner animal.

What a hoot! I ended up buying a couple red pair and a few high-cut briefs of other colors.

It felt good to start the year with something new, even something inexpensive and common. I reveled in having so many choices. And I liked the thought of wearing red in secret – my secret magnet for drawing good fortune to me.

Starting the year with something new – something that is just for you – is no small thing.

HAPPY UNDERWEAR!