This white kebaya has embroidered tennis rackets decorating its borders and cuffs, an unusual motif in kebayas as sports were considered male activities until the late 19th century. This view began changing as shifting ideas gender roles and female emancipation became more widespread; and by the 1930’s, sports such as tennis, badminton, and volleyball were popular amongst young women. Kebaya was the Peranakan women’s garment of choice in the early to mid-20th century, although it was also worn by non-Peranakan women. This piece was donated by a Chinese-Vietnamese lady who bought them in Singapore shops and wore them in the 1980’s and 1990’s in London.
