What Is a Sarong? How to Wear, Style & Choose One
The most versatile piece of fabric you'll ever pack — and why every island girl needs one in her suitcase.
If you've ever stood in a shop or scrolled online wondering what exactly a sarong is — and whether you actually need one — you're not alone. We get asked this all the time by our island family, especially first-time cruise travellers and ladies heading to the tropics for the first time.
The short answer? A sarong is a large, lightweight rectangle of fabric that you wrap, tie, or drape around your body. It can be a skirt, a dress, a beach cover-up, a headscarf, or even a picnic blanket. One piece of fabric, endless possibilities.
The longer answer — and the reason why a good cotton sarong is honestly one of the best things you can pack for a tropical holiday — is a little more fun. Let's get into it.
So, what exactly is a sarong?
A sarong (also called a pareo, pareu, or beach wrap) is traditionally a long piece of fabric worn as a wraparound garment. The word 'sarong' comes from Southeast Asia, where it has been worn as everyday clothing for centuries. The word 'pareo' (or pareau) comes from Tahiti and Polynesia, and is the version you'll most often hear in the Pacific and Caribbean islands.
In modern travel and resort wear, a sarong is typically a rectangular piece of fabric — usually around 160–180cm long and 100–120cm wide — that comes in a huge range of prints, colours, and fabrics. It's designed to be light enough to fold into your handbag, dry quickly after a swim, and style a dozen different ways without a single piece of tailoring.
Sarong vs pareo: is there a difference?
Technically, not really — though some people use the terms slightly differently. 'Sarong' is more common in Asia and Western fashion; 'pareo' (or pareau) is the Pacific and Caribbean term for the same style of wrap. At West Indies Wear, we use both terms, because our sarongs are designed with that Caribbean-inspired spirit in mind.
You'll also hear 'beach wrap' or 'cover-up wrap' — again, same idea. If it's a big rectangle of fabric designed to wrap around your body at the beach, it's a sarong.
What makes a good sarong?
Not all sarongs are created equal — and fabric is everything. Here's what to look for:
Cotton is the gold standard
A pure cotton sarong is breathable, soft, and actually gets stronger when it's wet (unlike synthetic fabrics, which weaken). It dries quickly in tropical heat, won't cause heat rashes, and won't feel like a plastic bag against your skin on a 30-degree day.
Synthetic sarongs (polyester, viscose, rayon) look pretty on the hanger but are genuinely uncomfortable in hot, humid weather. If you've ever worn a synthetic fabric in the tropics and wondered why you felt so hot and sticky — now you know.
Print and colour
A sarong should make you happy to look at. We design ours in vibrant Caribbean-inspired prints — tropical florals, geometric patterns, shells, palm trees — because bright colours and bold prints are what island dressing is all about. (Navy blue is our top seller if you want something a little more classic!)
Size and weight
A full-size sarong gives you the most styling options. Our cotton sarongs are generous in size so you can wrap, knot, and style them however you like — whether you're covering up after a swim or heading to a casual beachside dinner.
Tassels or no tassels?
This is purely personal preference. Tassels give a bohemian, finished look and are gorgeous on the beach. No-tassel sarongs are a little more versatile if you want to use yours as a headscarf or light shawl too.
How to wear a sarong: 6 easy ways
The beauty of a sarong is that there's no right or wrong way to wear it. Here are six of our favourites:
1. The classic wrap skirt
Hold the sarong horizontally behind you, bring both ends around to the front, and knot or tuck at the hip. This is the easiest way to wear a sarong and looks great over a swimsuit or with a simple tank top.
2. The strapless dress
Hold the sarong horizontally across your chest (just above your bust), bring both ends around and tie at the back or front. Instant beach dress — no sewing required.
3. The halter neck
Fold the sarong lengthways into a narrower rectangle, wrap it around your body under the arms, then bring the two ends up and tie at the back of the neck. Great for beach to pool.
4. The shoulder drape
Simply drape the sarong over one shoulder and let it fall loosely. Works beautifully as a light cover-up on a cruise ship deck or at a beachside bar.
5. The beach blanket
Spread it out. Done. A cotton sarong is perfect as a light beach mat for a quick swim stop or shore excursion where you don't want to carry a full towel.
6. The headscarf or hair wrap
Fold into a long strip and tie loosely around your head or hair for an instantly chic, practical solution on a windy boat deck or a hot day of exploring.
How to wear a sarong over 50
Can we just say — sarongs are one of the most flattering pieces you can wear, at any age and any size. There's no waistband to worry about, no zip that won't do up after a big beach lunch, and no awkward cut that doesn't suit your shape.
For ladies who prefer a bit more coverage, we love pairing a sarong as a wrap skirt with one of our lightweight cotton tunics or a long-sleeve top. It gives you that beautiful, relaxed resort look while covering the parts you're less confident about — arms, upper thighs, whatever it might be.
Our plus-size range goes up to 3XL, and our sarongs are cut generously so they work beautifully on all body types. No squeezing, no fuss, no synthetic fabric making you sweat.
- ✦Pair a printed sarong with a plain cotton top in a matching colour from the print for an effortlessly coordinated holiday look.
- ✦Wearing a sarong as a wrap skirt? Tie it slightly to the side of the hip rather than the centre front — it's more flattering and gives a lovely asymmetric drape.
- ✦If you're going from beach to a casual dinner, simply adjust your sarong knot higher and pair with sandals and a cardigan. No outfit change needed.
What to look for when shopping for a sarong in Australia
Shopping for resort wear in Australia can be tricky — especially outside of summer, when you might be heading off on a cruise in the middle of July and the shops are full of winter coats. Here's what we always tell our Australian island family:
Look for pure cotton. It should say '100% cotton' on the label. Avoid anything with polyester, viscose, or rayon if you're heading somewhere hot and humid.
Check the size. A sarong that's too small just becomes a loincloth. You want a full-size wrap that gives you coverage and styling options.
Think about prints. Bright tropical prints are your friend on holiday. You've spent all year in black — now is your moment!
Buy online in winter. We launch our new collection from January to March each year, but you can shop year-round. Don't wait until you're packing — have your sarong ready and waiting.
Ready to find your perfect sarong?
At West Indies Wear, we've been making pure cotton sarongs for years — designed in the Caribbean, tested in the tropics, and loved by island girls all over Australia and the world. Our cotton sarongs come in vibrant prints with and without tassels, in a range of beautiful tropical colours.
Whether you're packing for a Caribbean cruise, a Queensland island getaway, or just want to look and feel amazing on your next beach holiday, we've got you covered. Literally.
Happy travels, island girl. 🌴
