Baju Saloma – the new trendsetter for this season

JOHOR BARU: Whether it is the Middle Eastern abaya (robe) or the kebayainspired Baju Saloma, having a new outfit is a must for Hari Raya.

Butik Nusana Nany proprietor Nani Sukaimi says while the loosely cut abaya – known as the jalaba – remains popular, this season’s trendsetter is the Baju Saloma, named after the late legendary songstress and actress Puan Sri Saloma.

“You can’t go wrong with abaya no matter what your body type is,” said Nani at her out let in Danga City Mall here.

She said the bestselling abaya for this Hari Raya was the black robe with embellished beads and sequins for the bodice, popular especially among her Singaporean customers.

However, for those preferring something a little understated, Nani said they could choose those that came in pastel hues or dual colours with cutoff lace or prints for the bodice and sleeves.

She advised women wearing the headscarf to either go for a plain tudung over a bicolour abaya or a floral or patterned tudung over a plain abaya.

“Less is more. Avoid wearing chunky necklaces, brooches or bangles with sequinned abaya,” she said.

Those wanting a bolder fashion statement, said Nani, could go for contrasting colours for their abaya and headscarf.

The Baju Saloma, she said, was a twopiece kebaya suit.

“Saloma was the one who popularised the short kebaya with peplum during the heyday of the Malay film industry in Singapore,” said Nani.

Both the robes and the Baju Saloma are available in lycra, crepe and chiffon, costing between RM100 and RM300 apiece.