Other Ways to Use a Sarong

A sarong is best known as something to wear, and that is still its main use. A sarong from AllSarongs is a large rectangle of soft fabric that wraps, ties, and drapes in many ways, and everybody can wear one. Learn how to tie a sarong or how to wear a sarong as a dress and you have a beach cover-up, a skirt, a dress, and a shawl in one piece. But a sarong is also one of the most useful pieces of fabric to keep at home, in a beach bag, or in a travel bag. It is light, washable, quick to dry, and easy to fold into a small square. This guide covers other ways to use one.

AllSarongs has made handmade sarongs in Bali since 2005. Most are rayon, with some in sheer polyester. There is no cotton or silk in the range right now. Sizes are generous: Regular is 66 inches by 44 inches, Plus is 84 inches by 44 inches, and Half is 66 inches by 22 inches. Retail is $18.95. See the material guide, the size guide, and the care guide.

1. A sarong as a tablecloth

A sarong makes a bright, easy tablecloth for everyday meals and for parties. Spread a Regular or Plus sarong over a small table, a card table, or a garden table and let the ends hang evenly on each side. The batik prints lift a plain room, with bold flowers, leaves, and color. A Plus sarong covers a longer table, while a Regular sarong suits a small table for two or four. Rayon drapes well, so it falls in soft folds. After the meal, shake off crumbs, hand wash cold, and line dry in the shade.

Batik Blue Sarong With Hibiscus laid flat, showing the blue pattern with white floral designs and fringe. Shop this sarong

2. A sarong as a picnic blanket

For a picnic, a sarong is lighter and easier to carry than a thick blanket. Fold a Regular or Plus sarong into a small square, slip it into a tote or backpack, and unfold it on grass, sand, or a park bench when you arrive. The Plus size gives two people plenty of room to sit and spread out food, while the Regular size is right for one person or a light snack for two. Rayon feels soft to sit on, and it dries fast if the grass is damp. Shake it out before you pack it away.

3. A sarong as a curtain

A sarong works as a light curtain for a small window, a glass door, a closet opening, or a shelf. It lets in soft light while giving privacy, and it adds color without the cost or weight of heavy curtains. Hang a Regular or Plus sarong from a curtain rod by folding the top edge over the rod, or clip it to the rod with curtain rings or clips. A Half sarong suits a narrow window or a valance across the top of a larger window. Choose sheer polyester when you want light to pass through, or rayon when you want more cover.

4. A sarong as a wall hanging

A sarong with a bold batik print makes a striking wall hanging. The large print, the fringe edge, and the rich color fill a blank wall in a bedroom, living room, studio, or dorm room. Hang a Regular sarong with two small nails or hooks, a wooden dowel through a folded top edge, or removable wall clips if you are renting and cannot make holes. Center it over a bed, a sofa, or a desk, and let the bottom edge hang free so the pattern and fringe show.

Batik Pink Sarong With Hibiscus laid flat, showing the pink pattern with white floral designs and fringe. Shop this sarong

5. A sarong as a baby blanket

A soft rayon sarong makes a light baby blanket, a play mat, or a cover for a stroller on a sunny day. Spread it on the floor for tummy time, drape it over a car seat for shade, or use it as a light cover for a nap indoors. The Regular size is large enough to wrap a small child with room to spare, while the Half size is handy as a smaller blanket for a stroller or a changing mat. Rayon is soft against skin, and it folds small enough to fit in a diaper bag. Use it only when you are watching the baby, and never cover a baby face or leave a loose blanket in a crib while a baby sleeps alone.

6. A sarong as a beach towel

At the beach, a sarong can stand in for a beach towel. Lay it flat on the sand to sit or lie on, use it to dry off after a swim, or wrap it around you to walk back to the car. Rayon absorbs water and dries fast in sun and breeze, and it shakes free of sand more easily than a thick loop towel. The Plus size gives the most room to lie on, while the Regular size is enough to sit on and dry off. After the beach, shake out the sand and hand wash cold when you get home, then line dry in the shade.

7. A sarong as a scarf

Folded in half lengthways, a sarong becomes a long, soft scarf. Wrap it once or twice around the neck, let the ends hang, or tie a loose knot at the front. A rayon sarong is light enough for cool evenings, air-conditioned rooms, and spring and autumn days, while a sheer polyester sarong adds a light layer of color without warmth. The Half size is a good scarf size, and a Regular sarong folded narrow also works well. A sarong scarf adds a batik print to a plain outfit, and it packs flat in a bag when you do not need it.

Black Sarong With White Hibiscus Patterns laid flat, showing the black fabric with white floral designs. Shop this sarong

8. A sarong as a head wrap

A sarong also works as a head wrap for sun, wind, or a bad hair day. Fold a Half sarong into a wide band, place it over the head, cross the ends at the back of the neck, and tie a knot at the front or side. For full cover, use a Regular sarong, fold it into a triangle or a wide rectangle, drape it over the head, and tie the ends under the chin or at the back. The light rayon stays cool in heat. A head wrap keeps hair out of the way on a boat, at the beach, or while gardening, and it gives shade on a sunny walk. Tie it snug but not tight.

The main use is still wearing it

All of these uses are handy, but the main use of a sarong is still wearing it. A sarong is made to wrap, tie, and drape around the body, and that is where it looks and feels best. Everybody can wear a sarong, as a wrap skirt, a dress, a cover-up, or a shawl. Try the tying guide and the dress guide first, then keep a second sarong for the house or the beach bag.

How to choose the right sarong for other uses

Size matters most. Use the Plus size, 84 inches by 44 inches, for a tablecloth, a picnic blanket, or a beach towel where you want the most cover. Use the Regular size, 66 inches by 44 inches, for a wall hanging, a curtain, a baby blanket, or a tablecloth for a small table. Use the Half size, 66 inches by 22 inches, for a scarf, a head wrap, or a small curtain. For fabric, choose rayon for softness and drape, and sheer polyester for a light layer for a window or a scarf. See the material guide and the size guide.

Care for a sarong used around the house

Care is the same no matter how you use a sarong. Hand wash cold with mild detergent, do not bleach, do not wring or twist, and line dry or hang dry in the shade. Do not use a tumble dryer, and iron on low heat inside out if needed. Read the full care guide for rayon sarongs.

Buy, save, or make your own

AllSarongs ships from San Diego, CA. Sarongs are $18.95 retail, with wholesale up to 50 percent off for shops, resorts, spas, and events, and custom sarongs from a minimum of 200 per design for a logo or a print of your own. For questions, contact sarongs@gmail.com. Start with one sarong to wear, then add one for the house and one for the beach bag.