Hari Raya Aidilfitri marks not just the end of Ramadhan but also the beginning of one of the most joyous seasons in Malaysia. A month of fasting gives way to days of feasting, family reunions, and — let’s be real — some of the sharpest fits you’ll see all year. Between bites of lemang and rendang, the timeline floods with perfectly colour-coordinated Baju Melayu posts worn with a songkok, watches that only come out on the morning of the festive day, and designer bags that probably traveled from Pavilion KL to kampung just for the occasion. And every year, as we prepare our wardrobe for the 1st of Syawal, we ask the same question: what does it actually look like to celebrate in style?
View this post on Instagram
To answer this, we turn to none other than Asad and Amisha — the duo known for going viral on TikTok with their Raya trend reports. Last year, their sharp observations and witty curation resonated with 214K viewers, who collectively agreed on the then-iconic “terpaling brick orange” (the most brick orange) starter pack — an aesthetic defined bright striking hues in baju kurung and baju melayu, accented with the likes of a Goyard cardholder, Loewe’s Paula Ibiza sunglasses, and Habib gold jewelry (for that touch of hometown glamour and keeping it #LOKAL).
As their content gained momentum, we made one observation: Malaysians aren’t just looking for fashion inspiration; they crave a style narrative that is rooted in local culture yet seamlessly intertwined with high fashion. Somewhere in that viral slide, we all recognised a familiar face — an uncle, a cousin, a friend or even an influencer — dressed in a look that felt both aspirational and yet still very much Malaysian.
This year, Men’s Folio Malaysia sits down with Asad and Amisha to discuss what’s next. As Raya 2025 approaches, what trends will define the open house wardrobe rotations.
View this post on Instagram
Let’s start with the big question, what’s the vibe for Raya 2025?
Asad: “Be who you are.” I think that’s the theme. Every Raya in previous years, there’s always been at least one trend that takes over — people queuing for two hours at RIUH for a viral bag or at least five people at every open house unintentionally wearing the same outfit. But this year, we might finally see some changes.
Amisha: If there’s one thing we’ve learned from fashion on a global scale, it’s that micro-trends peaked last year, and now people are exhausted from trying to keep up with what’s new. It’s fascinating to see that shift happening right here in Malaysia too and it’s made even more obvious this Raya.
So, are we moving away from the era of must-have, cult brands?
Asad: Not in the way we used to. The post-pandemic years encouraged experimentation, and by now, people have largely identified what works for them. Instead of obsessing over “it” brands like @nazifinasri bags or @itsmachino heels, we’re seeing a stronger embrace of individuality — which means open houses this year are going to be serving range.
Every Raya has its ‘it’ colour — last year, maroon and brick orange had its moment. What shades do you see taking over this year?
Asad: Rich Brown. People on TikTok started noticing it was sold out everywhere, and suddenly, it became the colour of the season.
Amisha: And then you have the anti-trend people, the ones who refuse to wear the “mainstream” Raya colour because they don’t want to be awam (like everyone else). So what do they do? They pick burgundy instead… not realising they’ve just created the second most viral colour trend. [laughs]
What key silhouettes will define Raya 2025?
Lihat postingan ini di Instagram
Asad: Men are moving on from slim-fit this year. It’s all about oversized Baju Melayu with clean lines, strong shoulders, and an effortless drape. Kind of like the ones from @khatamkl — oversized, but tailored.
Amisha: For the girls, we’ve had a good few years of pushing the boundaries of what Baju Kurung could be. Some even borrowed from Western trends — like in 2024, when cottagecore-inspired puff sleeves, cinched waists, and sleek skirts took over. It was cute, it was fun, but at some point, people started debating whether the silhouettes had strayed too far. Like, at what point is it just a top and a skirt instead of a Baju Kurung?
Lihat postingan ini di Instagram
Amisha: So this year, in response, we’re seeing a return to the classics. Kebarung (Kebaya + Baju Kurung) is making a big comeback. There’s a renewed interest in the Gadis Melayu Terakhir look — very ayu, very nostalgic, and very anti-Western influence.
Would you say this revival of traditional styles reflects a broader cultural shift?
Amisha: Absolutely. Rather than just being about fashion, it reflects a broader cultural movement of what we can expect to see in the next few years. Globally, there’s been a rising interest in conservatism — not just in politics, but in fashion and identity. Over the past year, people have experimented with everything, redefining gender roles, silhouettes, and even traditional attire. But now, there’s a realisation that too much reinvention can sometimes dilute the essence of what makes something culturally significant.
In Malaysia, this translates into a renewed appreciation for heritage. The past years, there was a push to modernise traditional wear. We saw Baju Kurung with unconventional cuts, Baju Melayu with deconstructed tailoring, and a mix of influences borrowed from other cultures. We’ve explored that, we’ve seen what it looks like — and now, people want a return to the original.
That’s why we’re seeing a resurgence of the gadis Melayu terakhir style that’s deeply rooted in Malay identity. Searches for kebaya silhouettes are rising, long selendang scarves are being styled with fresh flowers tucked behind the ear. Even the color palette reflects this shift — rich brown and deep burgundy, shades historically associated with Melayu Klasik, are making a comeback. It’s fascinating to see how fashion, at its core, is always in conversation with culture and history.
Accessories can make or break a look. What are the must-have finishing touches for a Raya 2025 fit?
Amisha: Florals, florals, florals! Accessorising with flowers — orchids, lilies, jasmine — whether as hair clips, on your hijab, as jewellery, or embroidered motifs on Baju Kebaya or Baju Kurung. And for the guys, custom-made buttons on Baju Melayu.
Actually, a really cute idea I thought of is matching your buttons to Baju Melayu to your partner’s earrings. Just putting it out there for anyone who wants to set the bar higher next week! [laughs]
What’s the verdict on local Raya collections this year?
Lihat postingan ini di Instagram
Asad: From our observations, it’s clear that designers are shifting towards building strong brand identities rather than just chasing quick trends. The quality has also levelled up a lot, which is amazing. The only cons is that the prices…. have gone up too.
Amisha: Exactly. The quality is exceptional, but RM200 is now the baseline for a full set.
So if you’re searching for an answer, here’s your blueprint for Raya 2025: what’s in is individuality, what’s out is blind trend-chasing, and what’s next is a revival and appreciation of traditions and heritage. The ‘IT’ item? There isn’t one. What’s trending is how you choose to show up — so, what’s your look?
Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our latest issue.