Chinese interaction with Southeast Asia dates back to at least the 3rd century, during the late Han dynasty. By the 5th century, Chinese traders had begun establishing seasonal trading communities along the Malacca Straits, where they would stay for short periods of time before returning to China. During the 14th century, the Chinese trading community at Malacca developed into one of the first permanent Chinese settlements in Southeast Asia.

These settlements grew larger as many of the male Chinese immigrants married local women. Over time, the intermarriage of their descendents resulted in the emergence of Peranakan society, where men were called Babas and women, Nonyas. Many of Singapore's early Chinese pioneers were from Peranakan families that had their origins in the Zhangzhou and Quanzhou areas of Fujian province, China. But despite adopting many local customs like their dressing, food and language, the Peranakans still considered themselves to be essentially Chinese and continued to retain many traditional Chinese customs and beliefs, especially those connected to birth, marriage, and death. They practised ancestor worship, observed Chinese festivals, and performed wedding and funeral ceremonies according to traditional Chinese conventions.

Today in Singapore, many aspects of the traditional culture have long been abandoned. However in recent years, there has been a growing sense of identity and a renewed interest in young Peranakans about their unique culture and heritage.

Peranakan Fashion

Peranakan fashion reflects the Chinese origins of the Peranakan communities and the adoption of local traditions. The traditional mode of dressing for Peranakan women was a long tunic known as a baju panjang, worn with a sarong. The look was simple and relied heavily on the use of jewellery. By the time many Peranakans rose to prominence in the early 20th century, many Nonyas had abandoned the old-fashioned baju panjang for the more modern sarong kebaya.

Like most elements of Peranakan culture, the sarong kebaya is a blend of regional designs, materials, and craftsmanship, with European materials such as Swiss cotton voile, German organza, and Dutch machine-produced cotton.

Today, there has been a renewed of interest in Peranakan culture and fashion in Singapore. Many young Nonyas are once again using the sarong kebaya as a visible sign of their Peranakan roots.