The first form of Kebaya considered was originates in the court of the 15th century Javanese Majapahit Empire, as a means to blend the existing female Kemban, body wrap of the aristocratic women, to be more modest and acceptable. Throughout the last period of Majapahit kingdom, Islamic influence began to develop in coastal Javanese towns, thus there was a need to adapt the Javanese fashion to the newly adopted Islam religion. The tailored blouse, often made from delicate sheer fabrics, were worn over kemban torso cover to cover the back again, 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 shirt worn by Indonesian women in 15th or sixteenth centu...
A kebaya is a traditional blouse-dress