 |
Kebaya
A Kebaya is a traditional blouse worn by Indonesian
and Malaysian women made from sheer material and usually worn with a
sarong, batik, or other traditional knitted garment such as a songket
with a colorful motif.
Kebayas are believed to originate from China hundreds of years ago. They
then spread to Malacca, Java, Bali, Sumatra, and Celebes. After hundred
years of acculturation, the garments have become adjusted to local
customs and culture.
On the island of Java before 1600, kebayas were sacred clothing to be
worn only by members of the Javanese monarchy. During the period of
Dutch control of that island, European women began wearing kebayas as
formal dress. During this period, kebayas were transformed from only
using mori fabric to using silk with colorful embroidery.
A similar garment called the "nyonya kebaya" was first created by the
Peranakan people of Malacca. They wore it with a sarong and beautiful
beaded shoes called "kasut manek". Nowadays, the nyonya kebaya is going
through a period of revival, and is also becoming popular among
non-Asian peoples.
Apart from traditional kebayas, fashion designers are looking into ways
of modifying the design and making kebayas a more fashionable outfit.
Modified kebayas can even be worn with jeans or skirts.
back to top |
Kebaya