Baju Melayu
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Baju Melayu is the national costume of Malaysia worn by Malaysian men. It literally translates to "Malay shirt". It consists of two main parts, the first being the long sleeved shirt (baju) with a standing collar sewn in a style called "cekak musang', and the second part being the trousers. The two parts are made out of the same type of fabric, usually cotton or a mixture of polyester and cotton. A skirt-type adornment is also worn, called the sampeng (or kain sampeng), made out of songket. A jet-black or dark coloured headgear, called the songkok, is also worn, which completes the attire.
In Johor, both the design and the wearing of Baju Melayu is somewhat different. The baju itself does not have a collar, and the kain sampeng is worn below the shirt, rather than above it. The collar design is somewhat similar to baju kurung, which is a simple hemmed round collar with a stiff stitching called 'tulang belut' or 'eel's spine' and ended with a loop at the end to fit a 'kancing' or button. This design is known as Baju Melayu Teluk Belanga, which was said to be designed by Sultan Abu Bakar himself as a remembrance of Johor capital shift from Teluk Belanga to Tanjung Puteri.
A black Baju Melayu with a black sampeng embroidered with gold threads is considered a form of formal dress, and is the official attire required during official national events, especially ones such as the official celebration of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's birthday. Malaysian ambassadors presenting their credentials to foreign heads of state are also required to wear the black Baju Melayu. On the other hand, white Baju Melayu are worn by Malaysian royals should a member of the royal family passes away.
The Baju Melayu is commonly worn in Malaysia and Singapore by Malay men, although its use in Singapore is usually restricted to Fridays at mosques, and the Eid ul-Fitr (Hari Raya) holiday. Malaysian men usually wear the shirt for general religious occasions, such as visiting the mosque or for a religious gathering. Some companies allow their male workers to wear Baju Melayu on Fridays, whereas others have it as a policy. On the whole Singaporeans frequently refer to it as a "Baju Kurong", although this term in Malaysia usually refers only to the corresponding outfit for women.
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