The Baju kebaya fashion is now increasingly gaining a place among young women. Baju kebaya is no longer just the cloth you wear when you attend a wedding ceremony or dinner. Nowadays, many young women like to wear the designer Baju kebaya for professional events.
Some even give modern injections by matching them with the pants. In fact, Baju kebaya is also often an option during holidays. The wearer often looks elegant with matching sarongs and jewelry to complete the style.
However, despite all the beautiful looks, it means nothing if we just wear the Baju kebaya as part of the symbol of Malaysian culture without knowing their origins. Some have claimed that Baju kebaya fashion is originally from Indonesia, and later Baju kebaya was adapted to the people of Tanah Melayu.
The Long History And The Origin Of The Baju Kebaya
Did you know that Baju kebaya originated from the Arab region? It is believed that a group of traders from that region brought and introduced this fashion to the archipelago. Known as Abaya in Arabic, it was later distributed to Melaka, Sumatra, Bali, Java, and Sulawesi.
The result of cultural assimilation hundreds of years ago, Baju kebaya was first accepted by the locals in the region. Baju kebaya was a symbol of power, as practiced by the Javanese people. Following the history, around the year 1600 on the island of Java, women from the superior and royal class were the only group who were allowed to wear Baju kebaya.
Baju kebaya was later worn by European women when the Dutch colonized Java and made it official clothing. If the previous fashion was only from woven Mori using silk, it started to be attractive with colorful embroidery. Today we can see a variety of fashion kebaya clothes adapted to the trends of the time and are worn by the people of the archipelago but are even favored by women worldwide because of their uniqueness.
The Modern Gesture Of The Baju Kebaya
Along with the modernization over a certain period, around the 1930s, the collection Baju kebaya labuh became more popular. There were bright-colored kebaya and various styles of gauze brought from the West. In Tanah Melayu, the fiction was updated and modernized to a Baju kebaya pendek, becoming an option to attend certain ceremonies.
The women from the earliest generation until now have only been paired with Baju kebaya. The batik style of the Baba Nyonya community is different from the Malay community based on the way they have worn the batik. In Indonesia, Baju kebaya is synonymous with one of the unique cultures among the Javanese. Baju kebaya Indonesia comes with a simple cut and fit on the body. For Indonesian women, wearing kebaya is a matter of pride that must be preserved.
How To Wear The Baju Kebaya In The Modern Style?
Forget about the body-hugging blouse and the skirt. The modern style Baju kebaya is providing you with more comfort with style. The best part is you can simply match it up with loose trousers or skirts. Most women still want a semi-modern traditional look in their Baju kebaya. This means that they will mix Baju kebaya combinations, such as materials, patterns, details, and colors. All are made according to the women’s needs and preferences.
The more space is making this a perfect travel outfit. The nice complete long sleeve outfit with decorative envelopes is giving this traditional outfit a more elegant look. The ladies usually match up to it with the Batik printed sarong. But when you are in a function, the excellent traditional silk sarong or the loose trousers look more stylish and elegant. And do not forget to wear a decorative brooch for a modest look.
Conclusion:
Baju kebaya’s modern and unique gestures are making this dress worldwide popular. Now, not only Indonesian women, along with them, the women from other countries also love their dress’s uniqueness and comfortable design. The excellent lace design and the brooch style is giving a minimalist look along with the lovely sarong or trousers. For special events, only traditional outfits are looking gorgeous.
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