How To Attach Butang Baju Melayu

Malaysians, this post this not for you so please feel free to skip it entirely. This post is for the clueless. Like me. When I was new in Malaysia and Google has not even come into existence yet, I was totally clueless when it comes to small things like this.

Baju Melayu is the traditional Malay outfit for men and boys. It’s primarily worn during major holidays like Hari Raya Aidilfitri (a.k.a. Hari Raya Puasa or Eid ul Fitr) and Haji Raya Aidiladha (a.k.a. Hari Raya Haji or Eid ul Adha). It’s also worn during formal functions and weddings, much like the barong Tagalog of the Filipinos. What’s interesting about it is that traditionally, they do NOT come with buttons. You heard me right. No buttons, only buttonholes all the way to the lower layer of the baju where the buttons are supposed to be.

The buttons — known as butang baju Melayu — are sold separately. I got these ‘silver’ ones from Mydin a few years back.

With children, the key to picking butang baju Melayu is to choose a style and colour that can match any colour of baju Melayu. More importantly, they must be inexpensive so as to save you from heartache when the buttons get lost. Because they WILL get lost. It’s one of life’s inevitable truths.

For adults, the sky’s the limit — you can even buy diamond-studded butang baju Melayu or ones made from cultured pearls from certain jewelry shops.

So how do you attach them buttons? Simple. First you take one button…

…then you slip it under the baju Melayu, the portion where buttons are supposed to be but only buttonholes are present.

You slip it in from the bottom like so…

…making sure that the decorated portion of the button remains on top.

Easy-peasy!

Now do the rest of the buttons. There are usually three buttons for children, five for adults. Make sure the flat, undecorated side of the button is at the bottom portion, i.e. inside the baju.

And voila! Buttons! :D

Here’s how it looks like from the side and back.

And this is how it looks like once the buttons are all done up, as modeled by Twin2 in a size 2 off-the-rack baju Melayu bought from one of those small shops in Wisma Yakin in the older part of KL.

Side note: Baju Melayu aren’t cheap — I think Twin1′s baju Melayu (and matching trousers) cost some RM55 (~$18). The other alternative — getting it done by a tailor — is even more expensive unless you get it done in Kelantan or some other place outside KL where upah jahit (labour charges for sewing) are much, much cheaper.

It is also possible to purchase baju Melayu that a round neckline with a single button to fasten it with, a good idea for babies and toddlers. This type of baju Melayu fashion is from the state of Johor.

Photo from LizOthman.com

Note to self: this is NOT the way to fasten butang baju Melayu.

Otherwise I end up with buttons in front with no way of attaching the back portion to them.

You’d think I’ve got it right down pat after all these years? Noooo! I still make this silly mistake :P And I have the gall to write this how-to post hehe…

Oh…and just one more thing: don’t forget to remove the buttons before putting the baju Melayu in the wash!

The End.