What it is

Kebaya is the fitted, front-opening counterpart to baju kurung — a more tailored top, traditionally fastened with a brooch, pin or buttons, worn over a long skirt or sarong. Where baju kurung is closed and loose, kebaya is shaped to the body, which is why it's traditionally reserved for weddings, Eid and other formal occasions rather than everyday wear. Regional styles carry their own names — Kebaya Nyonya from the Peranakan tradition, Kebaya Kutubaru with its extra front panel, and Kebaya Janggan, a formal hybrid popular in Indonesia — and we're expanding into each as a dedicated edit.

Who it's for

Weddings, Hari Raya, and any occasion that calls for a more fitted, formal silhouette than baju kurung. Like our kurung edit, this collection includes a mummy and daughter matching sets option, so mother and daughter can coordinate in the same print. Prefer the classic looser cut instead? browse our Baju Kurung edit to compare both side by side.

Occasion & styling

A lace or floral kebaya with modest layering works beautifully for a wedding or a formal Raya visit; pair it with a printed shawl for extra coverage and a finished look. For this season's festive colour themes and sets, see our Raya edit. Deciding between a kebaya and a baju kurung for the day? Our styling guide below walks through the difference style by style.

What to look for

• Silhouette: fitted through the body with a front opening, fastened with a brooch, pin or buttons — the detail that sets kebaya apart from the closed baju kurung
• Fabric: semi-sheer floral lace for a soft, elegant finish; lace eyelet with full lining for structure and coverage
• Style: Nyonya kebaya leans into Peranakan-inspired embroidery; Kutubaru adds an extra front panel (lidah baju); Janggan — increasingly popular in Indonesia — pairs a Cekak Musang-style collar with a split front
• Matching sets: our mother-and-daughter kebaya comes in the same print across separate women's and girls' size ranges
• Fit: every style has a full size chart on its product page. Not sure which to pick? Our Sizing Guide walks through how to measure and choose.
• Care: lace and semi-sheer pieces hold their shape best when hand-washed or dry-cleaned — check the care label on your specific piece before the first wash.

Why TheBubblyGem

TheBubblyGem is a Singapore-based modest fashion label with a studio at T-Space, Tampines, where you can self-collect and try pieces on from Friday to Sunday. We ship across Singapore and to Malaysia — see our Shipping page for current rates. Pay in instalments with Atome, send a gift card, or earn Gems Club points on every order.