The first form of Kebaya considered 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. Throughout the last period of Majapahit kingdom, Islamic impact started to grow in coastal Javanese towns, thus there was a need to adapt the Javanese fashion to the newly adopted Islam religion. The tailored blouse, often produced from delicate sheer fabrics, were worn over kemban torso cover to cover the back, shoulders and arms, in order for court women to appear more moderate. 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 mentioned by the Portuguese when they landed in Indonesia. Kebaya is associated with a type of shirt worn by Indonesian women in 15th or sixteenth centur...
A kebaya is a traditional blouse-dress