Sarong Kebaya
Labels: home life, retail therapy
Comments:
Darling, I'm no Nonya but I've always wanted a kebaya!!!
Never got round to buying one but this may indeed be the time. Won't look as nice as you though, you looked fabulous in that yellow top. I want one too!!!
I bought a sarong kebaya emsemble for my girl for CNY. I can't remember if it was from Rumah Bebe, but I think it might have been. Is that the shop on the same row as Kim Choo kueh chang 2 doors away? However, it was a last minute thing and they didn't have a skirt in her size, the type with zip like you bought. So I had to go through the folding etc for her and borrowed a gold belt from a friend & completed it with a child-size kerosang. I get what you mean by the skirt coming apart thingy. And I really need to send the sarong in for tailoring so it's easier for her to wear it. A friend recommended a shop in Arab St where I found some beautiful sarongs & they do made-to-measure kebaya. Maybe S, you might want to check it out? And the sewing charge there is cheaper.
I think you look absolutely great in the yellow kebaya and it matches very well with the capri. Unfortunate about the beaded slippers. I couldn't find a pair for her too. Maybe try Malacca? And just curious, does you MIL possess any of those Dutch kebayas?
Lotus, as you are going to be in Singapore during the summer, you can, like D suggested, go to Arab Street and have one tailored. I bought off the rack as I was short of time and the sizes did fit me. I think you'll look good in one.
D, hi!
Thanks for your compliment. Yes Rumah Bebe is just a couple of doors down the same stretch of shophouse from Kim Choo kueh chang. The entrance is very small and nondescript. It's the doorway leading upstairs just by the kueh chang store itself. I was also planning to drop by Rumah Bebe for a look see but again, didn't have enough time. Will definitely pop in again if we are in town. Folding the sarong is easy but securing it is another matter. Did your girl have to walk very carefully? :D You really went all the way with your Little Nyonya. LOL. As for the slippers, if I really can't find any I like, I may actually bead one up myself. I do know how to do it but it's a case of too many crafts, too little time! MIL doesn't own one. I don't think she knows what a sarong kebaya is because you never see it worn nowadays, not even by the Indonesian women here. The only sarong kebaya most Dutch people are familiar with is the Singapore Airlines cabin crew uniform. But it's interesting, don't you think, that it was the Dutch who influenced the way our baju kebaya looks today. I suspect back in the day, the women used Dutch lace (bobbin lace made in Flanders but exported to Holland) to trim their kebayas.
Yes, S, I could take you there so maybe that will push me to get my girl's skirt tailored haha.
Yes, I think it's the same rumah we are thinking, but it wasn't up a staircase, or maybe I didn't know about that part. Mine was an entrance like Kim Choo's. My little nonya got very ex taste haha. Cost me $80 for the little kebaya which she insisted on having, but the sarong from Arab St was cheap, only $15. She was very good, vain lah, and walked very carefully, and it was on her the entire first day of CNY. Marvellous! Oh yes, I'm sure you can find time to bead a pair for yourself with your excellent crafty skills haha. How about the shop owned by Peter Wee in the row of Chin Mei Chin bakery beside Holy Family Church at Katong? He does have antique and more original stuff. Try there. It'd be interesting to see the original kebaya of the ancient Dutch times. Should send a photo of her to you haha.
Hi..I absolutely love your entry on kebaya. I am an avid fan of nyonya kebaya myself(although i am not a nyonya)
I just adore the colours, and the intricate design. I normally bought a few pairs whenever i come back home to malaysia for my own use in Dublin. Malacca is a good place to shop for nyonya kebaya.Prices are not too bad. However, the one tailor i would recommend would have to be Kim in Gurney Plaza in Penang. Her collection is just amazing.Then again so is her price tags..Prices started from RM 2500 for the kebayas, but even if you dont want to buy any, a visit to her will make you happy just by looking at all the beautiful designs. nadia
Hi I'm a long time collector of Peranakan antiques back in wonderful Singapore after an absence of 10 years!!! Way too long.
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I bought with me around 12 antique kebayas a silver and rose cut diamond kerosang and some silver keychains. Call me 844 596 32 if you want to see lah. Robyn |