JAKARTA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Azra, a shop attendant at Jakarta's Tanah Abang Market, said she can sell hundreds of women's Eid al-Fitr outfits inspired by the traditional Chinese Qipao (cheongsam) in a week.
Shopping for new clothes ahead of Eid al-Fitr has long been a tradition among Indonesians, and the styles that become popular usually change every year. This year, cheongsam-inspired outfits, recognizable for their distinctive knotted buttons and side slits, have generated significant buzz on social media and become one of the most sought-after items at Tanah Abang Market.
Azra is just one of many vendors in the wholesale clothing hub, displaying cheongsam-style outfits. At Tanah Abang's Block B, it is easy to find stalls featuring cheongsam-inspired designs in their main displays in the section dedicated to women's clothing, with prices ranging from 300,000 to 450,000 rupiah (17.7 to 26.5 U.S. dollars) for a set of top and skirt.
"Among all the styles we sell, cheongsam-inspired outfits have been the most sought-after in recent weeks. On average, we sell around 30 pieces a day, and even more on weekends," Azra told Xinhua.
She said most buyers are teenagers and young adults who are active on social media. Many customers come directly asking for "viral cheongsam Eid al-Fitr outfits" or show photo and video references they found online.
Social media has become a major driver behind the popularity of the Chinese-inspired clothing in Indonesia over the past few months. The phenomenon began with the trend of cheongsam-style jackets introduced by a well-known sportswear brand and has since evolved into Eid al-Fitr clothing designs.
On TikTok, the hashtag "tunik cheongsam" has garnered hundreds of posts. A tunic is a type of loose-fitting women's top that extends from the thigh to the knee. One video posted by clothing store owner @levioraofficial featuring a cheongsam-style tunic has been viewed more than four million times and received nearly 100,000 likes.
Fransiska, a private-sector employee in Jakarta, said she has purchased two cheongsam-style outfits from an e-commerce platform to wear during Eid al-Fitr later this week.
"What I find interesting about this style is the many unique buttons, and most importantly the upright collar, which suits hijab wearers like me," she said.
Another reason, she added, is that some cheongsam-inspired Eid al-Fitr outfits are versatile enough to be worn not only during the holiday but also as daily work attire. After buying her first cheongsam-style outfit, Fransiska said she has become interested in collecting more similar pieces for work.
Although inspired by the Chinese cheongsam, most of these Eid al-Fitr outfits have undergone several adaptations. In terms of color, they are predominantly pastel, unlike traditional cheongsams, which are typically brighter.
In addition, while the traditional cheongsam is usually a one-piece dress, these Eid al-Fitr outfits are designed as tunic-style tops paired with skirts or trousers, making them more suitable for women who wear the hijab.
Long before the cheongsam trend appeared in this year's Eid al-Fitr fashion, Indonesia's Muslim men's attire, known as the "baju koko," was widely believed to have been influenced by traditional Chinese clothing, as seen in its distinctive upright collar and front-button design. ■
