How to Put on a Loincloth

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 20, 2022

A loincloth is a one-piece garment, sometimes kept in place by a belt. It can serve as an undergarment or as the sole article of clothing worn in societies where no other clothing is needed or wanted. Gandhi wore a dhoti, a Hindu loincloth, as a way of identifying with the poorest Indians, even though he knew it could be taken as a sign of primitiveness. After reading through this tutorial, you too will be able to wear a loincloth properly.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Choosing Materials

1
Use leather for a comfortable and durable loincloth. Leather is a common material used in most loincloths. Try using leather for a more durable and traditional loincloth. However, leather can be quite warm and is not a very breathable material. Certain leathers can be bought in bulk at various fabric or textile supply stores.
- Try using deerskin leather for a comfortable and durable loincloth. You can purchase pre-cut leather loincloths at online retailers, like etsy.
- You will ultimately want a piece of leather that is at least 6 feet long and one foot wide in order to get the best wrap possible.
2
Try using cotton or other breathable material. Cotton is perhaps a more conventional option as it allows for both comfort and affordability. Cotton is also a flexible material that might make tying your first loincloths a bit easier than a stiffer material like leather. Find cotton that you like in bulk at a fabric supply store near you.

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3
Consult traditional loincloth materials and styles for variation. There are many online resources dedicated to loincloth traditions and cultures. Consult these resources to understand which materials might be best, or most traditional, to use for making your loincloth. Many traditional loincloths are also defined by their patterns, treatment, and source.^{[1]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Getting Dressed in Your Loincloth

1
Measure your material. You’ll need a material that is 10 inches (25.4 cm) wide and 10 to 12 feet (3.0 to 3.7 m) long to make your loin cloth. You can ask your vendor to measure your material for you, or you can measure it yourself with a tape measure at home.
2
Determine the length of your front flap. Hold up one end in front with your non-dominant hand; the distance it falls determines the length of the front flap. You can decide on any length, some prefer it extend to the floor, others prefer is extend down to the knee.
3
Begin to thread the loin cloth. Use your dominant hand to thread the rest of the material, the material that is not held is your non-dominant hand, through your legs to your back. Bring it up from back to front, then from right to left around your waist.
4
Continue wrapping the cloth around your waist. When you reach your back, double the material over and pass it under the cloth that comes between your legs. A 3-yard piece of fabric should be able to loop at least two times.
5
Tie your loincloth around your back. Once you’ve wrapped yourself, double the slack end over and begin to pass it under the material that is already in between your legs and around your waist. You should be forming a little pouch on top of your wrapped waist, or belt.
6
Pull the slack through. Pull the slack all the way through the material wrapped around your waist. There will be a little "tail" of cloth in the back, but otherwise your loincloth should feel well-wound and secure.

Community Q&A

Question

I it okay to wear a loincloth in public?

Community Answer

If you're wearing underwear underneath it, it's probably "okay" technically, but people will definitely stare at you. If you're talking about wearing it to a cosplay event or something like that, then it's fine.
Question

Is wearing a loincloth comfortable for men?

Community Answer

It could be, as long as the wearer has no scruples about being so scantily clad.
Question

It's not clear to me. Is it made of just a plain long strip of cloth? How do I do the apron at the back?

Community Answer

Yes, a loincloth is generally one large strip of fabric or material that is wrapped around your waist until secure. The apron in the back should be able to be formed once you have measure the front apron of the loincloth and then wrapped the loincloth until secure. Make sure you have a long enough piece of material to have slack left over, then slide it up and through the wrap on your back, pull it through the top, and let it hang down the back of your legs.

Warnings

Make sure the fabric doesn't feel itchy! Some can be very uncomfortable.

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Practice makes perfect, so if you're going to be wearing a loincloth for an upcoming occasion, try putting it on several days ahead of time just to make sure you can do it.

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