Wearing the sarong and kebayas
  • Vote Up0Vote Down hockyhocky July 2008
    Posts: 264
    I have just been wondering if we could make a count of the actual number of nonyas and babas who wear the sarongs at least once a day or every day(the gents usually wear only at night/sleeping or when on holidays/weekends while at home)and the number of nonyas who actually wear the full sarong/kebaya at home and also outside as daily wear. The reason why I ask this is that I have noticed a huge decline in this Peranakan dress and have been thinking if this is becoming extinct. My mum used to wear this dress daily whether at home or outside when she visited friends or shopping when she was around before the 80s. For the guys, the only place I've actually seen them still using sarongs is in Malaysia like in Penang, Malacca and other states where it can become very hot and muggy. The sarongs worn in the day time or night at home is a comfortable and airconditioned outfit with a T shirt on top. I have been told that in Malaysia and Indonesia, the sarongs provide a good defence against the pesky mosquitoes. I also noticed that the ladies do this too with a plain blouse on top. This is also worn my the Malays and even Indians when they have the chance. Of course the complete and full sarong and kebaya ensemble with kerosangs, brooch, bun and hairpins, beaded shoes and handbag etc are usually not worn by the nonyas unless at formal type functions like a wedding reception or social meetings. Start counting !!!
  • 8 Comments sorted by
  • Vote Up0Vote Down wonjyunyungwonjyunyung July 2008
    Posts: 357
    Hi Hocky,

    I had always been a lover of sarong batik cloths.  To promote batiks, I wear batik shirts most of the time.  Either wear batik shirts or applique batik shirts.

    For pants,... some Babas informed me that they used to wear tight batik pants bell bottoms in their younger days.  Maybe I should look into that area of clothing.  Coz I personally like bell bottom jeans myself.  But I hope it wouldn't turn out too "sissy".

    As for my friends, I always encourage the ladies, don't waste your sarong skirt, you can match them with nice camisoles or spagetti straps.  Batiks can be made into fanciful A-line skirts or wraps and it can be beautiful and trendy. 

    To promote batik, I was quite impressed with some LaSalle students I met 2 years ago.  They were buying batiks to make fanciful handbags.  It can be very unique too.

    Rgds
  • Vote Up0Vote Down hockyhocky July 2008
    Posts: 264
    Yes Jyun, I actually forgot about the long sleeved and short sleeved batik shirts which I've seen in Malaysia being worn by some of the guys there as well as some European and Japanese tourists. You don't see this often in Singapore though. As you know if the brand is for everyone to see and its an expensive one, show it lah! For me, I want to hide mine so nobody knows I bought it from the $2 shop, ha ha. I don't have anymore batik shirts and only wear shorts(the mozzies will have a feast!) and normal pants and jeans when necessary. We had a function recently, a few months back and somebody came up with what he said was traditional Baba wear which I have never even seen before. It looked a lot more like the Indonesian or Bugis wear to me though I may be wrong here.
  • Vote Up0Vote Down PremillaPremilla July 2008
    Posts: 1
    HI,

    was wondering if anyone knows of a good tailor in Penang who makes nice kebayas.(am willing to pay good price..)

    P.
  • Vote Up0Vote Down wonjyunyungwonjyunyung July 2008
    Posts: 357
    Hi,

    You can try Auntie Kim from Kim's Fashion.  Otherwise, in Singapore you can some of the good kebaya shops along Katong.

    Rgds
  • Vote Up0Vote Down cicak_cobingcicak_cobing August 2008
    Posts: 8
    i wud use sarong at night, especially when going 2 bed. there is once when i wore sarong & go out 4 some yamcha wif my friends. i had strangers giving weird stare & probably thinking dat i'm a foreigner.
    duhhh...

    cheers from melaka.
  • Vote Up0Vote Down graceluograceluo January 2009
    Posts: 2
    Hi

    Not strange to wear the sarong kebaya.

    one should at least wear each race's traditional clothes at least during cny or weddings.

    regards
  • Vote Up0Vote Down Nyonya+ThiaNyonya Thia January 2009
    Posts: 2
    This Chinese New Year I'll be wearing the kebayas which my mama had left for us and the batik sarong I just bought recently. In the past years i've never seen the importance of the culture but after watching "The Little Nyonya" I wish I had learn more about it from my mama who had past away a few years ago..

    never the less its never too late to know more abot my roots and learning how to cook Perankan dishes from my aunt..
  • Vote Up0Vote Down zxchanzxchan January 2009
    Posts: 2
    Most of the time, it look really nice on most people. I guess its the way the dress is able to bring out the grace of the lady wearing it. Just like cheongsam
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