The first form of Kebaya considered was originates in the court of the fifteenth century Javanese Majapahit Kingdom, as a way to blend the existing female Kemban, body wrap of the noble women, to be more modest and acceptable. During the last period of Majapahit kingdom, Islamic impact started to develop in seaside Javanese towns, thus there was a need to adapt the Javanese fashion to the newly adopted Islam religion. The tailored blouse, often created from sensitive sheer fabrics, were worn over kemban torso cover to cover the back, shoulders and arms, in order for court ladies 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 noted 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. Prior t...
A kebaya is a traditional blouse-dress