Many women in Singapore are buying their husbands special Chinese New Year briefs, hoping to bring them good fortune and increase their sexual potency.

A shop in Singapore displays "Funky Monkey" panties, left, and a pair of Chinese New Year briefs.

Women are also buying themselves "Funky Monkey" panties specially designed for the year of the monkey, featuring smiling cartoon primates.

The Lunar New Year begins on January 22 and is celebrated by the Chinese diaspora around the globe.

But the most popular style is bright red briefs for men featuring Chinese characters for wealth and prosperity, said Jeannette Cheong, owner of the underwear store ButtOn Trendy Undies.

Cheong said she has sold more than a thousand pairs of the festive undergarments, priced at 5.90 Singapore dollars (US$3.50), since Christmas.

"The Year of the Monkey is definitely more marketable than the other zodiac signs," Cheong said. "Because the cartoon designs for women's underwear are cuter and more appealing."

The items are most popular with middle-aged women who tell Cheong they want to spice up their love lives, she said.

She said she has also received bulk orders from companies looking for Chinese New Year gifts for their staff.

More unusual buyers of the lucky underwear include gray-haired men shopping for themselves, Cheong said.

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