Some call it the sarong while many Malaysians call it the pelikat. But in the world of street fashion, it’s called the “blanket skirt.”
Malaysians have been mocking a new men’s fashion trend that was recently published by style magazine GQ. The new “it” look apparently now involves the thin plaid cotton fabric that we see many men in Malaysia wearing on their way to the mosques or while hanging out at homes.
The look was featured in Friday’s fashion story title The Rise of the Sober, Tasteful Menswear Skirt and showed basketball player Jordan Clarkson donning the checkered “skirt” with a hooded jacket and sneakers. Not surprisingly, Malaysians had a lot to say about it.
“GQ making kain pelikat hot when Southeast Asia have been doing it for centuries,” one remark by Twitter user @Ffateha_ said today.
“I’m sure they [were] inspired by Malaysian students’ attire during Friday prayer,” Twitter user @_Norhaslizay wrote on Sunday.
https://twitter.com/_norhaslizay/status/1373642760071249922
The pelikat is often seen in Malaysian films and TV shows, including on actor-comedian Harith Iskander in the Yasin Ahmad movie Sepet. Local TV personality Mohd Azwan Md Nor, aka Wak Doyok, also appears to be a fan of GQ’s newfound “menswear skirt.”
Across Southeast Asia, the clothing has been worn for centuries. In Malaysia at least, it is rarely worn during formal occasions or as a way to express an individual’s style. Perhaps that’s about to change in the future.
“Come on guys, let’s get ready for the frequent Pavillion mall visitors to celebrate the kain pelikat in the KL city,” Twitter user @Ammarwazien said, referring to the fashion hotspot.
Other stories to check out:
Batik on Titan: Malaysian student wraps giant butts in censor-friendly traditional attire
Malaysian brands to fuel your modern batik obsession
Meet the denim-loving Malaysian retiree rocking 800+ pairs of jeans
