How to Dress Well in a Kain Samping

Kain samping is a sarong-like piece of colored cloth that forms an important part of traditional dress in Indonesia and Malaysia. Whether or not you find yourself in southeast Asia, knowing how to dress well in a kain samping will enrich your cultural know-how.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Choose a kain samping that goes well with your complexion and eye color, just as you would for any other piece of clothing. You can also choose between more conservative kain sampings such as plain black versions of the garment or more colorful ones that have patterns such as plaid.
2. Put the kain samping on correctly by stepping into it and pulling it up to your waist, just below your belly button. If the kain samping isn't rolled at the top then roll it once or twice or until it fits you snugly. Adjust the garment so the main slit of the kain samping is aligned with the center of your body.
3. Dress in a Baju Melayu, or traditional Indonesian men's outfit, underneath the kain samping to complete your Indonesian dress. Wear both the shirt and trousers of the Baju Melayu and make sure that the color of the Baju Melayu meshes well with the color and pattern of the kain samping but is not identical or even too similar to it.
4. Find local styles and colors of the kain samping if you're traveling in Indonesia or Malaysia or happen to be in the company of Indonesians or Malays of a particular region. You can also choose between the 2 main materials for the kain samping, songket (cotton) or kain sarung (polyester).
5. Adjust the kain samping each time you get up after sitting since bending at the waist often causes the center of the garment to shift to the side and may make some of the folds come loose.