Next month, I will be flying to Singapore to attend my cousin’s wedding. I’ll only be there for 2 days, but I’m quite excited. I can’t wait to party with my relatives!

It just so happens that my cousin is Peranakan/Chinese, and her husband-to-be is Scottish/American. So the theme of the wedding is Kilts and Kebayas, and all the guests are supposed to dress up accordingly.

But the problem is, I had no idea what a kebaya is! I admit I’m not that well educated!

So the other day, I blurted out to some Singaporean friends – Does someone have a kebaya I can borrow to try out? I needed some kabaya wearing experience!

My friend, bless her, raced home and grabbed this for me.

It fit me perfectly, like it was tailored just for me! And the fabric was quite beautiful. So, I was beginning to like kebayas.

It turns out that a kebaya is traditional dress made up of a blouse and sarong, worn by women in Brunei, Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Each culture has a slightly different interpretation of the kebaya. And there are different patterns, fabrics, embellishments and beadings.

My cousin is half Peranakan, which is a distinct Chinese/Malay mixture ethnic group, and they ALSO have their own kebaya style.

So I did a quick search on this newfangled thing called the INTERNET, and it led me to many images of super hot chicks in sheer blouses covered with flowers. I was sold. I want one now!

I also found this beautiful photo of some lovely Peranakan ladies sporting some gorgeous, authentic Peranakan kebayas.

They are so beautiful!

So again, I searched the internet. And me, supposedly being the online shopping queen, could not seem to find a place to buy an authentic Peranakan kebaya online. But I did discovered that authentic kebayas can cost between $400 to $800 for the full set.

SO. EVENTUALLY. I have sourced an actual (not online) kebaya shop, and I talked to a lovely lady (on the phone) who assures me that there are authentic Peranakan kebayas in my size for $140, in some nice colours. But I am in Perth. The kebaya shop is in Singapore.

I fly into Singapore on a Thursday night.

My appointment with the kebaya lady is early Friday afternoon.

And the wedding starts late Friday afternoon!

Leaving it a little late perhaps? Can I stress myself out enough??

I don’t even know what the kebaya will look like!

I guess I’ll have to bring camisoles in two different colours – black and cream? And two pairs of shoes?

Ah well, if all else fails – never fear, I’ll have a back-up dress to wear to the wedding.

And now, to get my husband into a kilt!

Kebaya photos are from The Nyonya Kebaya by Datin Seri Endon Mahmood and Wikipedia.