These new trends in men's baju kurungs will make you scratch your head
Men have a wider variety of fashions to choose from this Hari Raya - but these designs are ... questionable, to say the least
With Hari Raya Aidilfitri looming near, the search is on for the perfect outfit.
I speak on behalf of the ladies out there — it can become a massive headache.
Modern kurung or nyonya kebaya? Peplum top? Mermaid skirt? Silk or songket? The possibilities are endless.
This year, it seems like the men can finally share our annual pain.
A sudden burst of fashion options catered to the men this Hari Raya means it’s game on in picking their traditional, runway-worthy best.
Or not.
We look at several questionable offerings this festive season — choose it or lose it, you be the judge.
THE “ROYAL ROBE”
Fit for a king? Err, not.... quite.
Think of these modern jubah (a type of traditional male garb) designs as the strange cousins of your standard polo T-shirts — something is just not quite right with them.
Malaysia’s MK Concept, the distributor behind the exclusive Royal Robe, promises that a Royal Robe is a sure confidence booster.
You don’t even have to be buff or dashing, it says in its highly-reassuring description of the product.
Still not sold?
Come on, which other jubah allows you to pop that collar like a baller?
THE LEATHER LOOK
Leather is r-r-ridiculous in our weather but if you insist, Selangor-born Zery Zamry has come to your rescue.
His #HipsterbyZZ Baju Melayu collection is a treat for all #ZZhipsterians — ahem, his hashtags, not ours — who enjoy a touch of PVC leather on their traditional outfits.
There is even an interesting leather samping to match.
Our tip: walking with wide strides not recommended, for your safety.
THE SEMI-SUIT
I’ve yet to see a man attempt a sharp suit for Hari Raya, probably because of the stress of braving quizzical looks all day.
But for the dapper deans, here is a formal option by K. Alif that even allows you to add a matching bow tie as an extra touch.
Apologies in advance for the lack of space for a pocket square, prideful gentlemen.
THE CAPRI
I saw this and envisioned my grandma nagging at this man to change his pants.
Was this a case of fabric shortage passed off as a sartorial move?
Good thinking on the front zipper fastening on the top — ventilation is a luxury when you are swarmed by your 500 cousins, aunties, grand-uncles and baby nephews in a HDB flat.
It could also make sneaking away pineapple tarts extremely convenient and quick.
THE CASUAL CAT
If this was not part of a festive collection, I would never have guessed this was “ethnic wear”.
This is “shopping-at-Orchard-Road” wear!
Its designer Megat Alfie might beg to differ, but this is the ultimatum — no kain samping, no go.
Unless you want Nenek (Malay for grandmother) to deny you that lovely lontong and ketupat as punishment.
THE SLEEVE PEEVE
We like to save the best for last.
It gets really warm during all that visiting. We get it.
Some designers have taken it upon themselves to offer you some level of comfort by giving you a choice.
Ditch the sleeves for maximum pit ventilation then use the golden opportunity to flex those muscles.
Yes, vain one, you kill two birds with one stone.
Brilliant, right?
But if “sleeves, please” is your mantra, apparently going sheer is the new trend.
Sheer sleeves, sheer top — oh, you name it.
Alternatively, you can choose sleeves and no sleeves at the same time, achieving a confusing off-shoulder look (sort of).
I don’t know about you, but this style sounds like a ticket to instant disownment and a lifetime without duit raya (our version of ang baos).
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