Festive occasions like Hari Raya are the time of the year that we get to go all out with wacky group pictures and swaggy outfits. With the celebrations happening next week, it’s almost time to get all dolled up for your next family OOTD. Below are online stores with matching baju kurung so the entire family can pass the ‘fit check during visiting.
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Where and how this practice started is not clear, but you have to admit that nothing screams togetherness and unity like marching out all together in clothes made from the exact same material.
Some sources say that it stems from families in the past saving cost and making outfits for everyone, and even the curtains in the house, from a single bolt of cloth. Others claim it was a means for well-to-do families to demonstrate their wealth – where others made do with hand-me-downs, they had the means to buy the same new outfits for everyone in the family.
Regardless, this practice puts a cute new spin on “cut from the same cloth”, with the added bonus that you have an easier task of identifying which family group a lesser-known relative belongs to this Hari Raya Puasa, which falls on 10th April 2024.
In Malaysia, baju kurung is the ethnic Malay dress that females wear, while men don baju melayu; in Singapore, there is no distinction – they’re all broadly categorised as baju kurung. It’s said to have originated in Indonesia, with the term translated as ‘concealing dress’.
The female version typically sees a loose-fitting blouse with long sleeves, paired with a wraparound skirt known as a sarong. Traditionally, these are not meant to be tight-fitting, as the female form should be concealed. The outfit is completed with a tudung, or headscarf, though this is optional.
As for the men, the outfit consists of a shirt with pants, with a short sarong known as kain samping that you can wear over or under the top – these are respectively known as the teluk belanga and cekak musang styles. During formal occasions such as celebrations and prayers, Malay men will have to don their songkok, which is a cone-shaped hat usually made of black cotton, felt, or velvet.
Image credit: @batique_sg via Instagram
Originating from Java, Batique is known for their gorgeous batik prints. They’ve got a variety of outfits with all sorts of floral and patterned prints in T-shirts, children’s kebayas, and family baju kurung sets.
You can order their clothes online, or try them on IRL at either the Kampong Gelam or Geylang Serai bazaars. They’re running a 50% off promotion on- and offline so everything is priced below $50, and a family set for 4 will set you back less than $160.
Date: Now till 9th April 2024 (Geylang Serai) | Now till 5th April 2024 (Kampong Gelam)
Address: Geylang Serai Bazaar, Kampong Gelam Bazaar
Opening hours: 10am-12am, Daily (Geylang Serai) | 2pm-11pm, Daily (Kampong Gelam)
Contact: Batique website
Image credit: @adriannayariqa via Instagram
The great thing about matching outfits is that everyone looks coordinated – but if you don’t want to look too much like a walking copy-and-paste of the rest of your fam, try Adrianna Yariqa. Their family sets come in a myriad of different cuts and designs including dresses, mini baju kurung, kurta, and baju melayu so everyone can rock their own style while keeping the group outfit cohesive.
While they have a physical store near Bugis, you can also find their booths at the Geylang Serai and Kampong Gelam bazaars. Free shipping also applies for orders from Singapore and Malaysia when you spend more than $50.
Address: 8 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 199075
Opening hours: 11am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 8922 6613 | Adrianna Yariqa website
Image credit: @ferozerahman via Instagram
Get everything measured and fitted just right with Ozel’s custom-made outfits, with sizes available from S to 3XL. Everyone can have their pick of their favourite batik print, with prices starting from $64 per piece.
Address: 390 Victoria Street, #03-20, Golden Landmark, Singapore 188061
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11am-7pm | Sun 1pm-5pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 8533 3444 | Ozel website
Image credit: @ilhan.creations via Instagram
Ilhan Creations may not have the largest variety out there, but they’ve been experiencing a surge in popularity thanks to their family baju kurung sets with colourful prints; they’re also available in limited quantities. On average, a kid’s set is priced from around $69 and an adult set is around $125. For those on a budget, take a scroll through their clearance sale section where selected designs are going at up to 50% off.
They will also be at the Geylang Serai Bazaar, where you can try on their pieces before you decide. If you’re ordering their clothes online, you’ll have to wait around 5 days for them to be ready.
Date: Now till 9th April 2024
Address: Stall 335, Geylang Serai Bazaar
Opening hours: 10am-12am, Daily
Contact: 8339 4795 | Ilhan Creations website
Image credit: @simplyrays via Instagram
Dressing up for celebrations like Hari Raya is fun. But the number of times we actually wear traditional clothes in a year can be counted on one hand. Unless you purchase your baju raya from Simply Rays, which incorporates modern silhouettes into their scalloped hems and puff shoulder tops. Simply put, these are pieces you can rewear any time of the year, for any occasion.
Address: 390 Victoria Street, #01-60/61, Golden Landmark, Singapore 188061
Opening hours: 12pm-7pm, Daily
Contact: 9007 4470 | Simply Rays website
Image credit: @thekattandco via Instagram
If comfort is the number one criteria when it comes to picking your OOTDs, look no further than Katt & Co. Their designs are all specially tailored with comfort in mind, featuring loose, comfortable fits that still exude style. The collection is not expansive, but it has styles to suit everyone in the fam.
Shipping is free for orders above $80 on their website, otherwise you can find them in the Level 1 Atrium of Golden Landmark Shopping Centre from now till 9th April 2024.
Date: Now till 9th April 2024
Address: 390 Victoria Street, Level 1 Atrium, Golden Landmark Shopping Centre, Singapore 188061
Opening hours: 11am-7pm, Daily
Contact: Katt & Co. website
Helena Peplum Kurung ($89)
Image credit: Natalie La Bella via Instagram
Gather the ladies of the family and take a moment to scroll through Natalie La Bella’s Hari Raya collection to stand out this festive season. Designs like the Helena Peplum Kurung and Melissa Modern Lace Kurung will help all you sisters and mommas out there look like kweens, thanks to their intricate lace embellishments. They’ve even got your mini me’s covered, with kids kurung options going for $69.
Contact: Natalie La Bella website
Image adapted from: @thethawbstore via Instagram
Modern and clean seems to be the motto at The Thawb Store, where guys can find matching outfits to twin with their baby boys. Thawb is Arabic for ‘garment’, and you’ll find a full range of satin-sheened baju as well as fashion-forward, street-style get-ups.
Address: 50 Joo Chiat Road Level 2, Singapore 427372
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 9652 8615 | The Thawb Store website
Image credit: @pokoks.kids via Instagram
Based in Malaysia, POKOKS has enough sizes and outfits to ensure everyone will have a baju that fits the family’s theme for the year. And we do mean everyone, from your nenek to 3-month-old babies.
They offer a wide range of designs and apparel options to choose from, including collared shirts and kurtas for men, and pesak kurung and kedah tops for women. Free express shipping is thrown in when you spend more than RM400 (~S$114).
Contact: POKOKS website
Image credit: @kenitkid via Instagram
For stylish attire, KENIT has bajus that are embellished with beautiful embroidery. The men’s range has understated designs such as checks and stripes. KENIT uses cotton for their garments, so they’re comfortable to wear for long hours in Singapore’s heat.
If you’re worried about your outfits not arriving on time or doing some last minute shopping, KENIT offers express shipping in Singapore. As long as you place your orders by 3pm, your haul will reach your doorstep by the next working day.
Contact: KENIT website
Image credit: @poplook via Instagram
Whether you like embroidery, bright prints, florals, or simply solid colours, check out Poplook. This Malaysia-based fashion brand focuses on female apparel, offering baju kurungs for girls as young as 1, so even your little one can match your style.
They also have nursing-friendly blouses for mummies, as well as scarves and even footwear to complete your look. With all you need available on 1 site, it should be quite easy to hit the minimum spend of $30 to claim free shipping to Singapore.
The cut-off for international deliveries may be over, but you still can check out their stores in JB or KL this weekend, with the nearest in AEON Mall Tebrau.
Contact: POPLOOK website
Image credit: @eldastore via Instagram
Local clothier Elda Store prides itself on their specially curated fabrics and limited makes – to do their part in reducing fashion waste. You’ll find neutral, minimalist designs here, crafted with lightweight fabrics such as organza and crepe so you’ll be comfortable even in the worst of Singapore’s heat.
Spend a minimum of $100 for free domestic shipping, and your package should reach you within 5 days.
Contact: Elda Store website
Image credit: Anaabu
Independent Malaysian label Anaabu is the clothing store you should check out if you’re into minimalist, androgynous fashion made in earthy, neutral tones. This Raya season sees their latest collection sporting embroidery, textures and naturally falling pleats.
They’re stocked across the Causeway in Johor Bahru and KL, but you can also order their clothes online via their webstore – your delivery should reach you in under a week.
Contact: Anaabu website
Take those mandatory annual family pictures to the next level with these matching family baju kurung sets, in styles from modern to traditional. Other than showing off that family unity, you’ll also be able to get some swell OOTDs to remember the occasion with.
For more Hari Raya and Ramadan content:
Cover image adapted from: @simplyrays via Instagram, @pokoks.kids via Instagram
This article was first published on 29th April 2021. Last updated by Kezia Tan on 6th April 2023.
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