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| Yang Mi’s White-Green Knit Dress in Scare Out Becomes Spring Festival’s Hottest Fashion Trend. (Photo: Sohu) |
Yang Mi has unintentionally kicked off one of the biggest post–Spring Festival fashion waves thanks to a single on-screen outfit in Scare Out (惊蛰无声). While the Zhang Yimou-directed film continues to generate debate over its Douban score, it’s Yang Mi’s white-green striped sleeveless knit dress that’s dominating timelines and online carts alike.
In Scare Out (惊蛰无声), directed by Zhang Yimou, Yang Mi plays Bai Fan, a role set against a contemporary national security backdrop. Yet beyond the suspense-driven narrative, viewers found themselves laser-focused on a fitted knit dress featuring horizontal white and green stripes and a sleeveless tank-style cut.
Clean, figure-hugging, and effortlessly modern, the piece has been widely described as simple but striking — the kind of wardrobe staple that feels wearable in real life.
Since the film dropped during the Spring Festival holiday, social platforms have been flooded with side-by-side comparisons, outfit recreations, and “where to buy” threads.
Fashion bloggers quickly dissected the look, praising its minimalist silhouette, fresh colour contrast, and how it frames a modern feminine shape without looking overstyled.
Within days, online retailers rolled out lookalike versions, with some reportedly labelling them as “Yang Mi Scare Out dress”. That one retailer admitted to selling over 30,000 Malaysian ringgit’s worth within a few hours.
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| Sohu |
The buzz once again proves Yang Mi’s influence goes far beyond the screen. When she wears something in a major release, it doesn’t just stay in the cinema — it walks straight into the high street.
Interestingly, the film’s reception has been more mixed than the dress. Scare Out (惊蛰无声) opened on Douban with a 6.3 rating, slightly trailing other Spring Festival releases that revealed their scores earlier, including racing-themed sequel Pegasus 3 (飞驰人生3).
While some viewers praised the film’s attempt to explore contemporary national security themes — marking Zhang Yimou’s first venture into this genre under official guidance — others felt the pacing and tone were uneven.
Still, online discussion remains lively. And much of that traffic circles back to Yang Mi.
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| Sohu |
On 18 February, during a Beijing promotional roadshow, Yang Mi appeared alongside Liu Shishi, marking their rare same-stage appearance in 16 years. Both actresses, often grouped among the “post-85 flower” generation of leading stars, coincidentally opted for black jacket styling that day.
A small but widely shared moment saw Yang Mi step forward to speak, only to realise she had forgotten a microphone. Liu Shishi casually handed her one, prompting fans to label it a “warm and natural interaction”. Clips of the exchange quickly circulated, reigniting nostalgic discussions about their early careers and past collaborations.
Reactions online have varied. Some fans are all in on the fashion impact:
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“She made a basic striped dress look premium.”
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“This is how you do understated elegance.”
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“Bought mine already. Spring wardrobe sorted.”
Others are more critical of the trend’s hype:
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“It’s just a striped knit, why is everyone acting surprised?”
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“The marketing is working harder than the script.”
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“Cute dress, but can we talk about the film itself?”
Meanwhile, neutral observers see it as a textbook example of celebrity-driven consumption in China’s film market — where costume styling can spark a micro-trend overnight.
Beyond Yang Mi, the film features a heavyweight cast including Jackson Yee, Zhu Yilong, Song Jia, Lei Jiayin, Zhang Yi, Liu Shishi, and Liu Yaowen. As China’s first film centred on contemporary national security themes under official guidance, expectations were naturally high.
Whether audiences view it as a solid thriller or a bold but imperfect attempt, one thing is undeniable: Yang Mi has once again demonstrated that her commercial pull extends into fashion culture with impressive speed.
Now the question is — are you here for the film, the fashion, or both? Would you wear the viral white-green knit dress, or is the hype overblown? Drop your thoughts and let’s see where everyone stands.