The earliest form of Kebaya believed was originates in the court of the fifteenth century Javanese Majapahit Empire, as a way to blend the existing female Kemban, torso wrap of the aristocratic women, to be more modest and acceptable. During the last period of Majapahit kingdom, Islamic influence started to develop in seaside Javanese towns, thus there was a need to adapt the Javanese fashion to the newly used Islam religion. The customized blouse, often made from sensitive sheer fabrics, were worn over kemban torso cover to cover the back, shoulders and arms, in order for court girls to appear more humble. Aceh, Riau and Johor Kingdoms and Northern Sumatra adopted the Javanese style kebaya as a means of social expression of status with the more alus or refined Javanese overlords.The name of Kebaya as a particular clothing type was observed by the Portuguese when they landed in Philippines. Kebaya is associated with a type of blouse worn by Indonesian women in 15th or sixteenth century...
A kebaya is a traditional blouse-dress