Malay Women’s Traditional Dress by State
The diversity of race and culture is one of Malaysia’s unique features. Each state boasts its own distinct customs and culture, particularly in terms of language, accent, food, and traditional dress. Furthermore, every state has its own unique traditional fashion, including:
1. Perlis
Women in Perlis wear Baju Kebaya Labuh Perlis as their traditional dress. This modern cut dress features a front split that adds a contemporary touch. They embellish the dress by wearing a brooch on the front fold of the shirt. Typically, artisans craft this Baju Kebaya from songket material, which the noble class usually wears.
2. Kedah
Women in Kedah wear Baju Kurung Kedah as their traditional dress. People believe that Baju Kurung Kedah originates from Southern Thailand. This traditional dress resembles a short blouse, tailored to be shorter in the back. Artisans typically make Kurung Kedah from cotton cloth adorned with small flowers or semi-transparent gauze, either thick or thin. The neckline resembles a betel nut, and women usually match this dress with sarong fabric. They consider Baju Kurung Kedah suitable for daily wear or as wet wear.
3. Pulau Pinang
Women in Penang often wear Baju Kebaya Sulam as their traditional dress. Nyonya and Chetti women, in particular, prefer to wear Kebaya Sulam with batik fabric and a scarf. This beautifully embroidered Baju Kebaya Sulam features floral motifs and is decorated with brooches, adding a touch of elegance to the ensemble.
4. Perak
The Princess of Perak dress serves as the official attire of the Sultanate of Perak. Today, this type of fashion is quite hard to see. The design of this baju kurung stands out from other baju kurung styles because it requires trousers and a sampin. Additionally, it pairs with a long scarf made of full flower songket fabric. The design of this baju kurung also resembles the cekak musang baju kurung, featuring a collar on the neck.
5. Selangor
Women in Selangor wear Baju Kebaya Lapuh Selangor, also known as The Malay Dress, as their traditional attire. The Selangor kebaya features a loose fit and extends past the knee. Worn separately, it includes a pleated front, a folded neck, and straight sleeve ends. People usually match this dress with a songket or chiffon scarf, adding an elegant touch to the ensemble.
6. Wilayah Persekutuan
Women in the Wilayah Persekutuan often wear a modern-cut Long Sleeve Shirt with a front split. They choose flower songket fabric for this stylish attire. Additionally, they complement the dress by matching it with a scarf, adding an elegant touch to their ensemble.
7. Negeri Sembilan
Women in Negeri Sembilan wear Baju Kurung Teluk Belanga, which they match with sarong cloth made of full flower woven songket fabric. Noble women of Minangkabau descent, in particular, wear baju kurung clothes made of velvet cloth embroidered with gold thread and decorated with sequins. They use full songket cloth specially woven from Pandai Sikek or Batu Bara in Sumatra to make the sarong cloth. Additionally, the women wear a headdress called Sunting and complete their attire with a chest pad made of velvet fabric adorned with attached sequin beads.
8. Pahang
Women in Pahang wear Baju Kurung Riau Pahang as their traditional dress. This type of Baju Kurung is also known as Baju Belah or Turkish Baju Kebaya. This fashion symbolizes the historical relationship between the states of Riau and Pahang. The Kurung Riau Pahang shirt features flowered cuts on both sides, connected with “kekek gantung.” Additionally, women pair this dress with a long scarf made of woven songket fabric, completing the elegant ensemble.
9. Terengganu
Women in Terengganu wear Baju Kurung with pesak, crafted from songket fabric woven with Terengganu flower sprinkles produced from gold thread. They complement this dress with a long scarf made of flower songket material, also sprinkled with gold thread. Additionally, they wear buns, necklaces, and bracelets to complete the outfit, adding an extra touch of elegance.
10. Kelantan
Women in Kelantan wear Cik Siti Wan Kembang’s clothing as their traditional attire. They dress in long songket cloth, which they wrap around as a sarong. Additionally, they wrap the cut limar cloth around the “kemban jantan,” fixing it with a belt and pendant. They complete this dress with a long Jong Sarat songket scarf, draping it over their shoulders as a cover.
11. Johor
During the reign of Late Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Late Sultan Abu Bakar, they introduced Baju Kurung Teluk Belanga. His Majesty changed the design of the baju kurung, making it long enough to reach below the knee. This shirt also includes a pocket and features layered fabric on the left side. Women wear Cucuk Sanggul as the main accessory, while they hold Dagang Luar cloth at waist level and use it as a veil to cover their head when in public. The Johor community loves Baju Kurung Teluk Belanga, wearing it on festival days and when attending certain events.
12. Melaka
Women in Melaka wear Baju Kurung Teluk Belanga, which features a long and loose cut. They match this dress with batik, songket, or silk fabric. Additionally, they tie the cloth with a knot called Ombak Mengalun. Melaka women adorn their heads with Sanggul Lintang, named for the placement and shape of the bun horizontally on the head. They also decorate their chests with Sibar Layang, or breast pads made of velvet fabric attached with beads and sequins.
13. Sabah
Kadazan Papar women wear the traditional dress known as Sia. They craft this attire from waist-length velvet fabric and pair it with knee-length fabric called Gonob. Furthermore, Kadazan women adorn their heads with Papar/Siung hats and accessorize with silver coin belts, adding a touch of cultural elegance to their ensemble.
14. Sarawak
Iban women wear traditional clothing that includes a Selampai, a sash that covers the chest and is completed with sweet embroidery. They also wear Kain Karap, made from Pua Kumbu woven cloth. Additionally, they adorn their heads with silver headdresses known as Sugu Tinggi and Sugu Rengkap, adding a touch of elegance to their traditional attire.
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