Four distinct cultural traditions may be found living side by side on the tiny island country of Singapore. This community is mainly composed of people of Chinese, Malay, and Indian ancestry, with some Eurasians thrown in for good measure. Because Singapore is both multicultural and cosmopolitan, despite its small size, the city-state boasts a wide variety of traditional clothing in Singapore from its many ethnic groups, which helps to make up the city’s unique culture. Therefore, let us delve into the area’s culture and thoroughly examine Singapore’s traditional garb.

Below are five distinct types of traditional clothing in Singapore compiled by Women’s Fashion Fun.

  • Baju Kurung

The Baju Kurung is a kind of clothing that is both traditional and national in Malaysia and Singapore. In the latter half of the nineteenth century, this conventional gown was made famous by the Sultan Abu Bakar of Johar. The term “Baju Kurung” describes apparel worn by men and women in Malaysia. Baju Melayu is the name given to traditional Malay clothing worn by men, while Baju Kurung is given to conventional Malay clothing worn by women. Two separate fashion techniques are used to differentiate the baju kurung: the baju kurung teluk belanga and the baju kurung cekak musak. Both of these ways are known as the baju kurung. The former is the one that does not have a collar at the neck of the garment. Therefore you can tell the difference between these two by looking at the neckline.

As a result of the Baju Kurung’s adoption as the official uniform for female school students and government workers, the garment received widespread recognition. It was subsequently worn by many Chinese, Indian, and Eurasian heritage women. Like the Baju Melayu, the Buju Kurung is a loose-fitting, full-length garment consisting of a long skirt and a collarless blouse with long sleeves that reach the hips or even the knees. Both the dress and the blouse are typically made of the same material. In more religiously orthodox regions, such as Northern Malaysia, the Baju Kurung is accessorized with a headscarf (tudung). 

  • Baju Melayu

The Baju Melayu is a traditional Malaysian garment worn by men. It consists of a long-sleeved shirt with a loose fit and long pants. A Sampling, a three-quarters or complete sarong-style garment crafted with the traditional pattern of woven materials such as Kain Songket or Tenun Pahang Diraja, is typically worn with this traditional clothing in Singapore. The Stampin is wrapped around the body’s midsection from the stomach to the knees or lower.

The Cekak musang shirt and the Teluk Belanga shirt are the two variations of Baju Melayu. The Cekak musang shirt is the more popular of the two, and it typically includes three pockets: two on the bottom and one on the top left breast.

  • Sarong Kebaya

Popularised in the early 20th century by well-known Singapore Girl banners, television programs like Little Nyonya, and influential persons like Evan Heng, this traditional Singaporean attire is an expression of respect for Peranakan ladies, who are known as Nyonas in Singapore.

A batik top is worn with a batik skirt to create the traditional Indonesian outfit known as a sarong kebaya. Today, women of the Nyonya ethnic group in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar wear these traditional dress variations. Additionally, the national dress of Singapore is the uniform worn by the flight attendants of Singapore Airlines. This elevates the already-respected costume to a higher level of significance and encourages women to dress in the manner.

  • Sari

Indian ethnic wear Singapore, such as the sari, which consists of a long strip of fabric wrapped around the body in various designs and is worn mainly around the waist with one end draped over the should. These salwar kameez are popular among women of ethnic Indian descent. Men often wear an achkan, pants and a jacket, or a salwar kurta and dhoti, a long piece of embroidered fabric worn around the waist.

Aside from these Indian ethnic wear Singapore, the fashion culture of Singapore is highly influenced by western modes of dress. A man may dress casually in t-shirts and pants, in a suit for more formal occasions, or a tuxedo for a more elegant affair. Women are also fashion-conscious, and when they dress, they do it in a manner that exudes elegance and flair. Even if the fashion cliché has made a quantum jump toward a more contemporary fashion statement, Singaporeans continue to take pride in their traditional culture and clothing.

  • Cheongsam

Due to the allure of these traditional clothing in Singapore, They provide a superb contrast to today’s fashions. The Chinese Cheongsam or Qipao, with its form-fitting silhouette and comfortable cuts and its high collar made of silk or cotton, embodies the duality of contemporary fashion while simultaneously revitalizing traditional culture and identity. Since its inception in China during the early years of the Republican era, the cheongsam has enjoyed immense popularity both abroad and on the Chinese mainland for more than eighty years. It was first worn in China. Later, cultural migrations brought this traditional costume to Hong Kong and Shanghai, where Chinese women adopted it. 

Conclusion

All the citizen in Singapore admires traditional clothing. They are well known all across the globe for the diversity in their clothing and the elegance that comes along with it. The beauty of conventional dress will never go out of trend.