Sarongs / Pareos

Sarong or Pareos is a versatile and ancient garment that is still popular in the Nusantara and wider Asian region. The Malay/Indonesian word sarung means “to cover” or “to sheath”, and the sarong is traditionally worn around the waist like a tube.

Sarongs / Pareos

 

Sarongs are around 1 meter tall and just over 2.2 meters long. The cloth is secured at the hip or under the arms by either bringing both ends towards the centre or pulling the sarong to one side of the body and folding the remaining fabric to the front. The top is then rolled down and tucked in, or tied in a knot.

The best thing about Sarongs is the fact that they allow air to circulate around the body, keeping their wearers cool in hot and humid climates. Easily folded and stored, the sarong’s versatility shows in its ubiquity across the landscape. Slung around the shoulders, the rectangular fabric can even hold a sleeping baby, and it can protect wearers from the sun and its heat when lifted above the head or draped around the shoulders.

Sarong has a rich and storied history in Asia and has taken on a different face in contemporary Western fashion. It's been promoted as a sexy and trendy product of the East, from Hollywood films to high fashion shows.

Sarongs / Pareos