Fashion indeed explored the unexplored corners of the world. No areas have been left untouched, yet fashion continues to evolve by opening more opportunities in merging traditional clothing and the most eccentric and out of this world styles. The fashion world has become the platform for the creative and artistic designer’s freshest ideas.

However, despite the evolution and fusion in fashion, the traditional and ancient textile and clothing works of local artisans continue to thrive and secure a spot in the modern fashion world.

One of them is the Batik. The Batik, Indonesia’s heritage treasure, continues to capture the hearts of the younger generation. Because of its popularity, the Batik dress is now available in Singapore and many parts of the world. Continue reading this article to learn why many people fell in love with the Batik dress available in Singapore.

5 Reasons Why Many People Love Batik Dress

Not everyone loves a specific type of clothing for some personal reasons, yet theBatik shirt and dress you can buy online in Singapore has been the go-to clothes of many people due to its lovable quality. Batik remains one of the most versatile textiles, from nightdress to loungewear in Singapore;Batik shows off its superb quality. 

Batik Is A Practical Wear

Batik is one of the most versatile textile designs in the world. Batik has outgrown its identity as traditional wear yet still clinging to its heritage roots.

Its unique design, patterns, and motifs complement formal and casual clothing. People choose to weara Batik shirt and dress in Singapore because of their practicality. Batik shirts are light, comfortable, and breathable clothes compared to ordinary formal wear like a suit and tie. Their designs can either be simple or elegant, yet unique. 

There is also loungewear in Singapore that uses Batik patterns and motifs as their unique design. It can be worn for formal and casual events. As many people say, you can never go wrong with Batik. 

The quality of the design, textile, and clothes themselves are perfect for Singapore’s tropical weather.

Batik Has Unique Motifs

One of the best qualities of Batik is its unique motifs and patterns. Batik is deeply rooted in tradition and was influenced by different cultures over time. 

The motifs in a Batik dress you can buy online in Singapore are not simply a generic pattern. Traditionally, artisans symbolic motifs on the textile by their hands. Motifs inspired by floral, birds, and other natural elements have meanings. Even the colours themselves have symbols as well. Some popular motifs are inspired by Indonesian legends, history and folklore. 

The LawangSewu meaning A Thousand Doors: is inspired by The Battle of Semarang or the Five Days’ Battle in Indonesia. This pattern usually has the LawangSewu landmark, accompanied by other motifs like florals, trees, and butterflies. 

On the other hand, the Ulam Sari Mas pattern represents prosperity. The motif includes hand-drawn fish and shrimp to symbolise the bountiful marine life and livelihood of Balinese people. 

Batik fabric, especially the Batik Tulis, has the most distinct and unique designs, making them one of the most expensive fabrics. If you are looking for one-of-a-kind loungewear in Singapore, go for a Batik dress.

They Support Artists By Purchasing Batik

Batik plays an important role in Indonesian culture. Its roots can be traced hundreds of years back. It is why Batik has been recognised as one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009. 

Batik has flourished in many parts of Indonesia, especially in Java. The tradition, culture, practice, and discipline surrounding the art of hand-painting textiles and fabrics have been passed down from families to families and generations and generations.

You support generations of artisans who keep the art alive by purchasinga Batik Tulis dress and shirt from Indonesia to Singapore. 

They Keep The Tradition Alive

Apart from supporting local Batik artists’ livelihood by purchasing the Batik dress available online in Singapore, you also keep the tradition alive. 

Wearing Batik in a casual or formal event is introducing it to the people. Batik is certainly eye-catching loungewear in Singaporeand tends to pique the interests of many people. The more familiar Batik becomes to many people, the longer the Batik art lives in the midst of modern styles in fashion.

Another way of keeping the Batik alive is incorporating it into modern fashion. The fusion of ancient textile art and contemporary style into a unique yet minimalistic Batik dress in Singapore is an effective way to capture the interest and taste of the younger generations like the Millennials and Gen Z. 

Batik Is Worn By Known People

Batik indeed has penetrated the fashion world. In fact, in 2018, Batik has shown off its uniqueness to one of the fashion capitals of the world– Paris. A week-long fashion exhibition titled Batik For The World featured the Batik creations of three Indonesian designers at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris, France.

Apart from being a wonder in the fashion world, Batik has also captured the hearts of many known people. 

One of the icons is the late South African president Nelson Mandela. Mandela has shown great love, respect, and appreciation to the Indonesian Batik by wearing it to several special and official events. 

In addition to Mandela, famous Hollywood celebrities like Rachel Bilson, Jessica Alba, and Drew Barrymore have been seen wearing Batik dress and using Batik patterns.

Because of its uniqueness and cultural heritage, even famous popular people and icons have appreciated the Batik. You can have yourBatik dress by ordering online in Singapore. 

Why Is Batik Fabric Expensive?

People who are clueless about Batik are often taken by surprise after knowing the price of aBatik Tulis dress in Singapore. Generally, Batik Tulis or hand-drawn Batik are quite expensive in the market; however, some Batik varieties are available at an affordable price. Here are the valid reasons why Batik can be costly sometimes.

Batik is Hand-Drawn

Generally, the price of a Batik depends on how it is made. There are four ways to create a Batik fabric that people should know.

• Batik Tulis

Batik Tulis is the most expensive type of Batik in the market today simply because the motifs and patterns are hand-drawn.

What makes aBatik Tulis dress in Singapore expensive is the craftsmanship and artistry in the design. Hand-drawn Batik usually has a more intricate, detailed, and distinct pattern. Highly skilled and talented artisans create these expensive Batik fabrics.

• Batik Cap

Batik Cap uses carved blocks made of wood or copper to print the motifs on the fabric. This block printing method on textiles has been brought to Indonesia from India. There are a few differences between Batik Tulis and 

Batik Cap. Due to its method of printing, Batik Cap has less intricate patterns, unlike the Batik Tulis. Batik Cap’s motifs have uniform lines and colours, whereas Batik Tulis patterns have inconsistencies due to human error. Batik Cap is much cheaper than Batik Tulis. If you are looking for an affordable Batik dress online in Singapore, look for a Batik Cap.

• Combination Batik

This Batik is the combination of Batik Tulis or freehand drawing and Batik Cap or block printing. Combination Batik is quite recognisable due to its patterns. Combination Batik usually has both larger motifs from Batik Cap and intricate and detailed decorations from Batik Tulis. Combination Batik may also come at a price.

• Machine-Printed Batik

The speed of Batik artisans cannot meet the high demand for Batik fabric decades ago; that is why after the Industrial Revolution, machines have been invented to create Batik prints for mass production.

You can recognise a machine-printed Batik by its pattern. Although technology could mimic the intricate patterns of Batik, their product designs are usually uniform and perfect, from lines, strokes, shapes, and colour. It lacks the inconsistent quality of motifs hand-drawn by Batik artisans, making the Batik fabric one of a kind.

Machine-Printed Batik fabrics are readily available in the market and sold at a lower price than Batik Tulis.

An expensive Batik dress online in Singapore can be a Batik Tulis; however, be more vigilant of overpriced machine-printed and block-printed Batiks. 

Batik Has Intricate Designs 

Another factor that contributes to the price of the Batik is the intricacy of the motifs. Usually, the more complex and detailed the pattern is, the more expensive the Batik dress will be in Singapore.

It takes decades of training for a Batik artisan to gain mastery in hand-dyeing the fabric. 

Apart from lines, shapes, and geometric patterns, Batik artisans also draw identical images like butterflies, fish, trees, flowers, and phoenix, which have meanings in Indonesian culture.

Having inconsistencies in the designs also make a Batik fabric rare on its own. The creative work of the Batik artisan contributes to the price.

The Tools Used

Unlike other textile design equipment, Batik uses a different kind of tool for printing. The prized Batik Tulis or hand-drawn Batik uses a device called Canting.

Canting is a pen-like tool used for applying hot wax to the textile. Canting is usually made up of bamboo for the handle and either copper or bronze for the tiny hot wax pot and spout where the wax flows. This spouted tool is used to draw strokes, lines, dots, and shapes before dyeing the textile. 

On the other hand, Batik Cap uses blocks carved with designs and patterns. These blocks are usually made of wood or copper. Batik artisans apply hot wax on the surface of the block before stamping the design on the fabric.

A Batik loungewear in Singapore with intricate design is crafted using a canting, while block stamps are created using a block stamp.

Age and Quality

Generally, Batik loses the vibrancy of its colours, especially when used frequently. Although it may depreciate the value of the Batik, it will still remain a bit expensive, especially if it is a Batik Tulis. Another contributing factor to an old Batik is its quality. As long as the Batik Tulis dress in Singapore does not have damage like rips, loose threads, and burns, its price will still be relatively high.

The quality and size of the fabric contribute to the price as well. Batik drew on high-quality textile with a length of not more than 2.5 metres width of not more than 1.5 metres can be expensive as well. The limited fabric size of the Batik creates the “exclusivity” quality of the textile.

Designer Batik

Similar to ordinary clothing, the price of Batik clothing skyrockets if it comes from a known designer brand.

Many famous and respected Indonesian fashion designers include Batik fabrics in their collections which drive the price insane.

The late South African President Nelson Mandela is one of the most popular clients of Internationally known Indonesian fashion designer IwanTirta. Most of Mandela’s Batik shirts were made by the late IwanTirta. 

A Batik dress available in Singapore produced by a famous fashion house is usually more expensive than an unbranded Batik shirt. Many unbranded shops and boutiques sell cheaper Batik dresses and shirts.

How To Take Care Of Your Batik

Batik Tulis is one of the most varieties of Batik. Proper washing helps maintain the quality of a Batik dress in Singapore. Follow this quick instruction to preserve your Batik.

Hand Wash or Gentle Cycle

Handwashing your Batik prevents discolouration; however, if you have no time, you can use the gentle cycle of your washer.

Wash Batik Clothes Separately

As much as possible, wash dark-coloured and light-coloured separately. Don’t throw your Batik in the washer with other kinds of clothing as well to prevent discolouration.

Never Use Hot Water

Use cold or warm water when washing your Batik dress in Singapore. Do not use strong detergents, bleach, and other harsh cleaning agents. You can add one tablespoon of salt when washing your Batik clothes the first time to preserve the colour.

Hang Dry Your Batik

Do not wring your Batik. Hang your Batik dry in a shady area; avoid direct sunlight exposure to preserve the colour.

You can now wear the beauty of Batik every day with Anmako Singapore. Anmako Singapore combines the distinct Asian cultures in a unique fusion of traditional yet modern clothing in Singapore. Visit Anmako Singapore today.