The kebaya is a long sleeved blouse reaching to about waist-length. It has a v-shaped neckline and an open front, which is secured by three ‘kerosangs’ or brooches connected by short chains. A kebaya could be made from voile, which is a type of fine cotton fabric originating from France or Switzerland. This white kebaya is embroidered with red and white flower petals with stem and leaves. The motifs are concentrated on the front collar and down the centre, fanning outwards along the edges of the bottom. Flowers carried feminine connotations and thus were appropriate designs for the kebaya. The kebaya came into prominence in the early 20th century, when it slowly replaced the knee length ‘baju panjang’. It is usually worn with an inner camisole and paired with the sarong, which is a rectangular piece of dyed cotton cloth worn as a skirt by wrapping it around the waist.
