Kebayas are commonly made from voile, a fine cotton fabric of French or Swiss origins. The decorative motifs could be then embroidered onto the fabric using lacework executed in silk threads. This piece is an example of a kebaya renda, a shortened version of the baju panjang which emerged and gained popularity in the 1920s. The decorative designs consist of red floral motifs on a black background. The choice of black colour for instance, is a fascinating contrast to the colour palette of the Nonyas of the Straits Settlements who reserved this colour for funerals and mourning occasions. Peranakans in Myammar however wore these colours for everyday use.
