How to Use a Sarong Tie and Clip

A sarong tie or clip is a small ring, buckle, or loop that holds the folded fabric of a sarong in place so the wrap stays put while you move, sit, swim, or walk along the beach. It does the same job as a knot, but it spreads the fabric more evenly, it looks tidier, and it is easier to adjust. This guide explains what ties are for, the main types, and how to use one with a wrap skirt and with a dress. Everybody can wear a sarong, and everybody can use a tie.

AllSarongs has made handmade sarongs in Bali since 2005. The sarongs are mostly rayon, with some sheer polyester styles, and there is no cotton or silk in the range at present. A standard sarong retails at $18.95, and a tie costs $2.82. They work with every size: Regular 66" x 44", Plus 84" x 44", and Half 66" x 22".

What a sarong tie is for

A sarong is a single piece of cloth, so how it stays on depends on how the fabric is folded and held. A knot holds by friction, and friction fails when fabric is smooth, wet, or folded thick. A tie gives the fabric a firm loop to pass through, so the weight of the sarong pulls the fold tighter instead of pulling it loose. The result is a flatter finish, no bulky knot, and a wrap that can be loosened or tightened in seconds. A tie at the hip adds a focal point to a plain wrap skirt, and a tie at the chest holds a dress in a tidy bundle. Many people use both a tie and a small knot behind it, for the clean look of the tie and the extra security of the knot.

Types of sarong ties and clips

There are four main shapes. A buckle tie has a bar across a frame, like a small belt buckle. You pass the fabric under the bar and over the frame, and the bar grips the fold. A circle tie is a plain ring. You pull the fabric through and let the fold catch on the edge, which gives a soft gathered look. An abalone shell tie uses polished shell in a frame or ring, so the color shifts blue and green in the light. A coconut tie is cut from coconut shell, so it is warm brown, light, and slightly textured, and suits batik prints. AllSarongs ties are sold in the Sarong Clips and Ties collection, and the three ties shown on this page each cost $2.82.

Buckle ties

A buckle tie is the most secure shape, because the bar gives the fabric two points of contact instead of one. It suits thicker rayon sarongs, Plus size sarongs with a lot of fabric to gather, and anyone who plans to swim or be active. If you are new to ties, start with a buckle, as it holds even if your fold is a little uneven.

Shown above: the Blue Buckle Tie with Abalone Shell, a buckle frame with a blue abalone shell inlay. Shop this tie.

Circle ties

A circle tie is the simplest shape and the easiest to use. It gives a softer finish than a buckle. It works best with Regular size rayon sarongs and with sheer polyester. With a very thick fold, a circle can slip, so keep the fold slim and add a small knot behind the ring if you want extra hold.

Shown above: the Blue Circle Shaped Tie with Abalone Shell, a round ring with a blue abalone shell detail. Shop this tie.

Abalone shell and coconut ties

Abalone shell and coconut are materials rather than shapes, and they appear in both buckle and circle designs. Abalone shell is smooth, cool, and bright, so it stands out against dark prints. Coconut is matte, warm, and light, so it blends in with natural prints and batik. Each piece has small differences in color and pattern. Neither is heavy, and neither will rust if it gets wet.

Shown above: the Buckle Shaped WHITE Coconut Tie With Decorative Circles, a white coconut buckle that pairs well with light colors and pale prints. Shop this tie.

How to use a tie with a wrap skirt

Hold the sarong behind you at waist height, with the top edge level. Bring the two top corners forward around your waist, so the ends meet at the front or at one side. Smooth the fabric flat, with no twists in the top edge, and overlap the two ends by about six inches. Hold both ends together in one hand, like a flat bundle, and slide the tie over the ends with your other hand. For a buckle tie, pass the bundle under the bar and back over the frame, then pull it snug. For a circle tie, pull the bundle through the ring until the ring sits about two inches from the ends.

Check the fit by walking a few steps and sitting down. If the skirt slips, the fold is probably too thick or too loose, so take the tie off, refold the ends into a flatter bundle, and thread it again. For extra security before swimming, add a small knot in the ends behind the tie. To take the skirt off, slide the tie off the ends and unwrap the sarong. For more wrap styles, see How to Tie a Sarong.

How to use a tie with a dress

A sarong dress uses the same tie, but the fabric starts at the chest instead of the waist. Hold the sarong behind you at chest height, with the top edge just under your arms. Bring the two top corners forward and cross them over your chest, or bring them together at the center front. Gather the top corners into a flat bundle about three to four inches wide, and smooth the fabric down so the skirt falls straight. Hold the bundle at the center of the chest and slide the tie over it. For a buckle tie, thread the bundle under the bar and pull it snug. For a circle tie, pull the bundle through the ring until the ring sits close to the chest.

Then take the loose ends, bring them up around your neck, and tie them in a small knot or bow behind your neck for a halter style, or bring one end over the shoulder and tuck it into the waist for a one shoulder style. If the neckline feels tight, loosen the bundle before you thread the tie, because the tie locks in whatever tension you start with. A Plus size sarong gives a longer dress, while a Regular size gives a shorter dress. A Half size sarong 66" x 22" is too short for a full dress, so keep that size for skirts and cover ups. For the full range of dress styles, see How to Wear a Sarong as a Dress.

Which sarong weight works best with a tie

Rayon is the best all round match for a tie. AllSarongs sarongs are mostly rayon, and rayon has enough grip to hold in a buckle or a ring, enough drape to fall neatly from the tie, and enough body to fill a circle without slipping through. Sheer polyester is lighter and smoother, so it looks lovely gathered through a circle tie, but it needs a slimmer fold and a snug thread, and a small knot behind the tie helps a lot. Thick folds are the main reason a tie slips, so use a single layer at the point where the tie sits.

How to care for sarong ties

After swimming, rinse the tie in fresh water to remove salt and chlorine, then dry it with a soft cloth and leave it to air dry fully before you put it away. Clean a tie with a soft damp cloth and a drop of mild soap if needed, then rinse and dry it. Do not use bleach or harsh cleaners, and do not put a tie in a washing machine or a tumble dryer.

Care for the sarong in the same gentle way: hand wash cold with mild detergent, do not bleach, do not wring or twist, line dry or hang dry in the shade, no tumble dryer, and iron on low heat inside out if needed.

Choosing your tie

If you only buy one tie, buy a buckle in a color that suits most of your sarongs. A tie costs $2.82, so trying a second shape is easy. Browse the full range in the Sarong Clips and Ties collection. AllSarongs ships from San Diego, CA, and you can reach the team at sarongs@gmail.com. Wholesale buyers can save up to 50% off, and custom sarongs are available with a minimum of 200 per design.