How to Tie a Sarong: 8 Ways

One Sarong, Eight Looks

A sarong is the hardest-working piece in a beach bag: one rectangle of cloth that becomes a skirt, a dress, a shawl, or a head wrap in under a minute. AllSarongs sarongs are handmade in Bali and have been sold since 2005. Every style below works with one sarong from our $18.95 core range.

AllSarongs sarongs are unisex - everybody can wear them. They come in three sizes: Regular 66" x 44", Plus 84" x 44", and Half 66" x 22". A Regular sarong fits all eight styles below. If you are tall or want a full-length dress, keep it unfolded; for a mini skirt, fold it in half first.

Before You Start: 4 Tips That Make Every Style Work

• Start flat and unfolded for dresses, folded in half for skirts. The fold sets the length, so decide the length before you start tying.
• Adjust the length first. Fold the top edge down before tying if you want it shorter.
• Double-knot everything you will swim, walk, or sit in. A single knot slips when rayon gets wet.
• Use a tie or clip instead of a knot where you want a flat finish - especially at the hip and waist. AllSarongs coconut and abalone sarong ties start at $2.82 and hold better than a knot.

1. Classic Wrap Skirt - Easiest, Start Here

Best for: a beach cover-up over a swimsuit. Difficulty: easy.

1. Hold the sarong horizontally behind your waist.
2. Bring both ends forward around your hips.
3. Cross them over at the front, then tie a secure knot at one hip (or center front).
4. Fluff out the knot ends so the print shows.

This is the style most people picture when they think of a sarong, and the one to learn first. Knot at the hip for a classic look, or at center front for a neater finish. A sarong tie at the hip holds just as well with a flatter finish.

2. Triangle / Short Skirt

Best for: a flirty short cover-up. Difficulty: easy.

1. Fold opposite corners together to make a triangle - the edges do not need to match perfectly.
2. With the point down, wrap the long edge around your waist.
3. Tie the two ends at one hip and double-knot.

Folding the sarong into a triangle first shortens it and gives the skirt a pointed, handkerchief hem that shows off a bold print.

3. Halter Dress

Best for: beach to dinner. Difficulty: medium.

1. Hold the sarong horizontally behind your back, top edge at chest level.
2. Bring the two top corners forward and cross them over your chest.
3. Bring the corners up and tie them securely behind your neck.
4. Let the fabric fall as a skirt. Twist the front once first if you want a keyhole detail.

The halter is the most versatile dress here: dressy enough for dinner, simple enough for the beach. Cross the fabric over your chest before tying at the neck.

4. Strapless / Tube Dress

Best for: a simple dress with no neck tie. Difficulty: easy.

1. Hold the sarong open across your back, top edge just under your arms.
2. Wrap it around your torso, pulling it snug.
3. Tuck the top edge in securely, or tie the two top corners together at the side with a double knot.

If neck ties bother you, this is your dress. Wrap it snugly, tuck the top edge in firmly, or tie the two top corners at the side. The whole sarong is on display, so it shows the print at its best.

5. One-Shoulder Dress

Best for: an evening or resort look. Difficulty: medium.

1. Hold the sarong horizontally and tuck one end under one arm.
2. Wind the fabric around your body, bringing the other corner up over the opposite shoulder.
3. Tie the two corner lengths together in a double knot over that shoulder.

The one-shoulder dress is the cleanest, most tailored-looking style here: a smooth wrap with a single neat knot on one shoulder. It suits a solid color or a large-scale print.

6. Side-Slit Dress

Best for: showing one leg while staying secure. Difficulty: medium.

1. Hold the sarong vertically around your back, just under your armpits.
2. Tie the two front corners in a double knot just above the bust.
3. Gather the fabric at the waist, twist it to one side, and tie again - the twist creates the slit.

The side-slit dress looks dramatic but it is really just a tube dress with a twist: gather the fabric at the waist, twist it to one side, and tie it off, and the slit opens on the opposite side.

7. Toga Dress

Best for: a draped, one-shoulder evening style. Difficulty: medium.

1. Hold the sarong horizontally, grasping both top corners.
2. Tuck one end under your arm and wind the fabric around your body.
3. Bring the other corner up over the opposite shoulder and tie the two ends in a double knot on that shoulder.

The toga and the one-shoulder dress (style 5) are close cousins - both are one-shoulder wraps tied on the shoulder. The difference: the one-shoulder dress is a cleaner, tighter wrap with a neat knot, while the toga is looser and more draped. For a polished resort look, choose style 5; for a relaxed evening look, choose the toga.

8. Shawl / Shoulder Wrap (Plus Head-Wrap Option)

Best for: sun cover, cool evenings, and travel. Difficulty: easy.

1. Drape the sarong loosely over your shoulders like a shawl, or fold it into a wide strip first.
2. Knot the two front ends loosely at the chest, or leave it open.
3. As a head wrap: fold the sarong into a strip about 3 inches wide, wrap it around your head, and tie it under the chin or at the nape of your neck.

The shawl is the style you will use most often off the beach: over bare shoulders at dinner, as a light cover on a breezy evening, or as a scarf on a plane. The head-wrap version keeps hair out of the way and protects it from sun and salt water.

Sarong vs. Pareo - Quick Answer

A sarong and a pareo are the same kind of wrap: a rectangular cloth worn around the body. "Pareo" is the name most used in Tahiti and French Polynesia; "sarong" is the name most used in Southeast Asia, including Bali, where AllSarongs sarongs are handmade. Same garment, different regional name - see our Sarong vs. Pareo page.

Which Sarong to Choose for Each Style

• Dresses (styles 3-7): any full-size sarong, unfolded. Batik sarongs and solid colors show the drape best.
• Skirts (styles 1-2): any sarong; fold it first for a shorter length. Start with the core range at $18.95.
• Evening looks (styles 5 and 7): sequined sarongs at $21.32 add a little sparkle for dinner and resort evenings.
• Keeping it on: add a coconut or abalone sarong tie, from $2.82, instead of relying on a knot alone.
• Matching a group or an event: custom sarongs, minimum 200 per design. For resale or larger orders, see wholesale sarongs, up to 50% off.

Caring for Your Sarong

Standard care for rayon and batik sarongs: hand wash cold with mild detergent, do not bleach, do not wring or twist, line dry in the shade, no tumble dryer, and iron on low heat inside out. Always check the care label first.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size sarong do I need to tie it as a dress?

A Regular sarong, 66" x 44", is enough for all eight styles in this guide. Choose Plus, 84" x 44", if you are tall or want a full-length dress.

How do I keep my sarong from falling off?

Double-knot every tie, wrap the fabric snugly, and use a sarong tie or clip at the waist or hip instead of a knot alone. A tie holds better than a knot and gives a flatter finish, especially when the fabric is wet.

Can I wear a sarong as a dress, or is it only a beach cover-up?

Both. Styles 3-7 are real dresses - halter, strapless, one-shoulder, side-slit, and toga - and they work for dinner and resort evenings as well as the beach. Choose a batik or solid color for a dressier look, or a sequined sarong at $21.32 for the evening.

Are sarongs only for women?

No. Sarongs are unisex - everybody can wear them. They have been worn for centuries across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. AllSarongs sarongs are unisex; everybody can wear them, and we do not carry a men's-specific range.

What is the difference between a sarong and a pareo?

They are the same kind of wrap with different regional names: "sarong" in Southeast Asia including Bali, "pareo" in Tahiti and French Polynesia. Full comparison: Sarong vs. Pareo: What's the Difference?

Can I get matching sarongs for a group, wedding, or business?

Yes. Custom sarongs start at 200 per design, and wholesale sarongs are up to 50% off.

Shop all sarongs - core sarongs from $18.95, handmade in Bali.

Photos: Real AllSarongs Sarongs in Real Life

The photos below are real AllSarongs product photos. They show our own handmade Bali sarongs being worn as a wrap or skirt, so you can see the sarongs currently on the site.