The kebaya is an open tunic with long sleeves, a collarless neck and front opening. It is a hip-length garment and is gently shaped to flatter the figure. It is fastened in the front by a set of three brooches (kerosang), usually connected by a chain. This kebaya renda is made from white translucent voile and decorated with lace, which is sewn onto the edges of the plain fabric. Stylised sea shell motifs using cutwork embroidery run down the centre of the piece and along the bottom, as well as on the sleeves. Such forms of kebayas were commonly worn from the 1920s onwards among Nyonyas in the Straits Settlements. Eurasian women in the Dutch East Indies wore similar white cotton kebayas trimmed with handmade European lace in the day. As the kebaya was of a translucent material, it would have been worn with an inner garment.
