By The Eye desk · Last verified 7 October 2026
Singapore’s three great festive garments each suit a different choice. The cheongsam, worn for Lunar New Year and wedding dinners, is fitted, so a tailored or well-fitting bought one lasts for years. The baju kurung, recognised as the official attire of the Malay community, is worn by families in matching colours at Hari Raya, which makes tailoring popular. The saree is an unstitched length of six to nine metres, so one saree can fit many bodies and many years, with only the blouse made to measure. The simple rule: buy or tailor what you will wear every year; rent for a one-off, such as a wedding guest outfit or a photoshoot. The next big dates are Deepavali on Sunday 8 November 2026 and Chinese New Year on 6 and 7 February 2027.
Dressing for a festival is a joyful way to honour the people who invited you. Here is how each garment works, and how to get one without stress.
Quick facts
- The cheongsam began in Shanghai in 1912 and became a fitted, modern fashion in the 1930s.
- Cheongsam fabric buttons come in three main shapes: butterfly, single-knot and phoenix tail.
- The baju kurung is worn by both men and women; Singapore has two styles, Telok Belanga (collarless) and Cekak Musang (standing collar).
- Silk or brocade is preferred for weddings and Hari Raya; cotton for everyday wear.
- A saree is six to nine metres of unstitched cloth, with a field, borders and an end piece.
- Upcoming dates (Ministry of Manpower): Deepavali 8 November 2026; Chinese New Year 6 to 7 February 2027; Hari Raya Puasa 10 March 2027.
The three garments at a glance
| Garment | Main occasions | Fit | Best route for most people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheongsam | Lunar New Year, wedding dinners | Close-fitting; small size changes matter | Buy off the rack if it fits well; tailor for a lasting favourite |
| Baju kurung or baju melayu | Hari Raya Puasa, weddings, formal events | Loose, comfortable cut | Tailor for family matching; buy ready-made for a quick option |
| Saree | Deepavali, weddings, temple visits | Draped; only the blouse is fitted | Buy the saree; have the blouse stitched; borrow or rent for a one-off |
Buy, tailor or rent?
| Option | Good for | Think about |
|---|---|---|
| Buy ready-made | Quick needs, standard sizes, the baju kurung’s looser cut | Cheongsams may need alterations; festive stock sells out close to the day |
| Tailor | A perfect fit, family matching, a piece to keep | Tailors are busiest before each festival; book weeks ahead and allow for a fitting |
| Rent | Weddings, photoshoots, a first festival, trying a style | Check the deposit, cleaning fee, late-return charge and what happens if it is damaged |
| Borrow | Sarees especially, which fit many sizes | Ask a friend to help you drape it the first time |
Where to look
Each community’s historic district is the natural first stop. Kampong Gelam and the Geylang Serai area have baju kurung tailors and, in the run-up to Hari Raya, bazaar stalls. Little India is the heart of saree shopping, with fabric shops and blouse tailors. Chinatown and long-running cheongsam tailors serve Lunar New Year. Department stores and online shops also stock ready-made festive wear each season, and many tailors now take orders through social media. Prices vary widely with fabric and workmanship, from simple cotton to silk and hand embroidery, so ask for a written quote including alterations.
Steps for a tailored outfit
- Count back from the festival: aim to order at least several weeks before, earlier for Hari Raya family sets.
- Bring a photo of the style and agree the fabric, collar and length.
- Ask for the price, deposit, fitting date and collection date in writing.
- Attend the fitting; small changes are easy then and hard later.
- Collect with time to spare before the first visit.
The WahLiao Verdict
If you celebrate the festival every year, invest in one good piece and look after it: a tailored cheongsam, a family baju kurung set, or a saree you love with a blouse that fits. If you are a guest, attending a wedding or trying a style for the first time, renting or borrowing is sensible and kind to your wardrobe. Either way, start early, because the week before a festival is when tailors run out of time.
Questions people ask
Is it all right to wear another community’s festive dress?
Guests are often welcomed in festive dress, especially when invited by friends. Wear it respectfully and follow your host’s lead, and ask if you are unsure.
What are Telok Belanga and Cekak Musang?
The two Singapore styles of baju kurung. Telok Belanga, named after a place in Singapore, is collarless; Cekak Musang has a standing collar and is the more common modern form.
Do I need a tailor for a saree?
Only for the blouse. The saree itself is unstitched cloth that is draped, so it can be shared, passed down and worn for many years.
What colours suit each festival?
Red is favoured for Chinese New Year and for sarees at Indian weddings, for its auspiciousness. For Hari Raya, families often choose a matching colour each year. When in doubt, bright and festive is welcome; ask your host about anything to avoid.
Sources: Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, cheongsam, baju kurung and saree traditions; National Heritage Board, Roots, making and wearing of baju kurung; Ministry of Manpower, public holidays 2026 and 2027. The Eye explains; it does not endorse.
Read next: The Kebaya: Why It’s on UNESCO’s Heritage List, and Singapore’s Part in It · Bespoke, Made-to-Measure or Off the Rack: The Tailoring Terms Explained · Back to The Eye
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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