International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering (IJRTE) ISSN: 2277-3878, Volume-8 Issue-3S2, October 2019 Popular Culture: the Influence and Implications on the Malay Traditional Clothing in Malaysia Muhammad Hisyam Zakaria, Asliza Aris, Norwani Md Nawawi A. Background of the Study Abstract: Traditional Malay clothing refers to the Malay traditional attires, especially for Baju Melayu and Baju Kurung. Clothes are well-known to be one of the basic necessities for It symbolises a significant identity of Malay society until now. human’s life. In addition, the fashion world is now growing With the advancement on technology in present has led to the and influencing the individual's performance. Not only that, inclusion of popular culture, especially in the fashion industry modern people nowadays fonder into fashion than tradition that has become a worldwide phenomenon. There are various styles and trends from external culture that have become a source people who only used clothing as an aurat cover. The of inspiration for fashion style in Malaysia today. However, with situation has led to various types of latest fashion design the openness to accept the new fashion styles and applying it to the created according to the request and consumers’ need so that traditional Malay costumes, there are some positive and negative they will not be left out with the current fashion trend. The effects towards Malay clothes. This paper also explains some of change in fashion has caused them to start creating a new style the problems that may occur in traditional Malay costumes in the in dressing and modifying existing outfits like traditional future time. This research aims to contain the extinction of the proper Malay dressing by following culture sides and as a guided clothing to suit their preference nowadays. This is to ensure by the principle of Islamic religion. It is closely related to the that they can be fashionable according to the current question of value, environment, behavior, needs and technology situation.Many of fashion trends have taken a place in in social institutions of society now in fashion. Researchers use modern times todays. All of these changes often occur due to qualitative and descriptive research approaches through the the rapid development of technology either in the form of analysis of the Malay dressing culture from traditional and modern design clothing in Malaysia based on selected research printing or electronic that has spread information about the theories. This research will look into the influence and impact on developments and changes in fashion images that are the identity of Malay traditional clothing in Malaysia's with the increasingly popular in the world. This diversity of media existence of a mix external culture in the latest apparel design in materials has provided space for designers and consumers to relation to cultural and socio-cultural. try out a new fashion (Fathiyyah Shafie, 2017). Traditional Index Terms: Malay Identity, Popular Culture, Traditional Malay clothing is not limited to the use of cloth and clothes Malay Clothing, Worldwide Phenomenon. only. According to Siti Zainon Ismail, (2006), it is a part of I. INTRODUCTION the community's customs and traditions to fulfil the life that embodies the values, norms and beauty of the Malay culture Fashion is a culture that symbolizes the identity of the itself. This explains that clothing is a symbol of the nation dressing style used at all times. However, a more in-depth culture. The most popular Malay dress is Baju Kurung which definition of fashion is a popular use style (Kamus Dewan, is a symbol of Malay culture in Malaysia, Singapore and 2009). The existence of fashion dressed up has been for throughout the archipelago.Baju Kurung is a traditional dress centuries and the society has been using clothing and jewelry for the Malay community. Its traditional features are to cover as a non-verbal communication to symbolize their aurat and the design functions are in line with Malaysia's occupation, rank, gender, wealth, social class, and weather, as well as the deductions that suit all the societies. organizational group. Other than that, fashion is not only The history recorded that Baju Kurung is the name given to includes clothing but also accessories, jewelry, hairstyles and the traditional Malay clothes for both men and women. The beauty. However, in recent years, fashion is becoming more Baju Kurung was adopted as a traditional costume by Sultan significant to women. Even though, now fashion also related Abu Bakar, who was the Sultan of Johor in the late 19th to the men's in Malaysia when they are increasingly century. After that, Baju Kurung has variance in terms of accepting, understanding and being more open to fashion names like Baju Melayu for male and Baju Kurung for (Johan Kasim, 2015). women.The advancement of technology today has led to the transformation of politic, economy, social and cultural diversity into a country including Malaysia. The current Revised Manuscript Received on November 15, 2019. evolution and fashion changes in Malaysia can be seen Muhammad Hisyam Zakaria, Department of Postgraduate Studies, especially in the traditional Malay attire, it is in line with the University Technology Mara (UiTM)/ Art and Design/ Shah Alam, fashion definition stated by Collin McDowell in Fazren Subre Malaysia. (2011), which explains that Asliza Aris, department of Fashion Design, University Technology Mara (UiTM)/ Art and Design/ Shah Alam, Malaysia. fashion is evolving over the Norwani Md Nawawi, Department of Textile Design, University time. Technology Mara (UiTM)/ Art and Design/ Shah Alam, Malaysia. Retrieval Number: C12521083S219/2019©BEIESP DOI:10.35940/ijrte.C1252.1083S219 Published By: Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering 826 & Sciences Publication Popular Culture: the Influence and Implications on the Malay Traditional Clothing in Malaysia The changes in fashion trend not only to an individual or 2. To identify the influence of popular culture in the addition group but also to every age and gender. All of these changes of design and the new transformation of traditional Malay are often related to trends that are increasingly revealing the clothing. body of the wearer. If in the old days, dark colours were 3. To study the effects of external influences on the Malay popular among Malays, but in the modern era, people prefer dress culture. to wear unique and bright colour for clothes. This is 4. To produce a special guide in recognizing traditional happening because of the collision between the two cultures it Malay clothes and the creation of modern clothes in order is eastern culture and the outer culture like the popular culture to generate and retain the authenticity of Malay culture. today. E. Research Question B. Problem Statement There are a few questions to be answered in conducting this Fashion is one of the adaptations of imitation as well as research, equality in terms of shape and usability. According to 1. What are the characteristics of popular influence in the Birtwistle and Moore (2007), the success of a new fashion is addition of the latest design and processing in traditional based on the acceptance of fashion reforms in the early stages Malay dresses? of the life cycle. For example, the invention of traditional 2. What is the impact on the implementation of outside Malay dresses in the past shows the hallmarks of politeness influences in traditional Malay clothing? which is the identity of the Malay community (Zubaidah Sual, 3. What is the guidance in recognizing Malay clothes and the 2015). The mode of application is influenced by Islam that steps to maintain the authenticity of Malay clothes and culture in the creation of new modern clothes? has begun to absorb in Malaya since the time of the Malay Sultanate of Malacca. However, with external influences and circulation, traditional Malay dress identity has undergone F. Methodology with various changes and its identity as the Malay culture is This study is undertaken as a qualitative research that getting lost. According to Ezlina Alias (2016) in Nur Hayati involves ethnographic studies of Malay society and the many Endan: influences that have helped in shaping it. The research is also “Idea-idea baru ini mungkin diceduk dari rekaan luar Negara based on the analysis of historical evidence as a primary data yang tidak bersesuaian dengan budaya masyarakat kita, and literature review as a secondary data to gather as much justeru itu wujudlah pelbagai rekaan seperti Baju Melayu information as possible to this research. In addition, hipster, jubah tanpa lengan, jubah pahlawan dan sebagainya. researcher also visit to the National achieve, museum and Fesyen seumpama itu boleh menghakis warisan pakaian Baju private library in peninsular of Malaysia in order to get the Melayu”. (Ezlina Alias, 2016). relevant proofs. Other than that, also referring to the literature "These new ideas may be drawn from foreign designs that are reviews such as from fashion book, fashion magazines, not harmonious with the culture of our society, therefore there fashion bulletin, newspaper, internet, journal articles to help are various designs such as Baju Melayu hipster, sleeveless researches to get a concrete understanding towards the area of robes, robe warriors and so on. That kind of fashion can research. In addition, this research also will conduct an corrode the legacy of Baju Melayu (Ezlina Alias, 2016). The interview session with the potential interviewers such as online business is also a new popular culture in Malaysia and practitioners, fashion designer, curators, cultural observers becomes a phenomenon. Although there are traditional outfits and academician for a clear and in depth understanding on the that are sold online, but with the emergence of modern clothes research topic. inspired by the name of the traditional Malay attire it also i. Related Theories leads to be a bad culture.