How to Tie a Sarong

Co-authored by Catherine Joubert

A sarong is one of the most useful beach essentials to have. Aside from adding color and flair to your beach fashion, its functionality and versatility also allows it to be used in other ways, such as a beach towel. There are a number of ways to tie and wear a sarong, from simple tie skirts to colorful halter dresses.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Catherine Joubert
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.} Learn a few of the ways in which you can tie a sarong and maximize its versatility.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Wear as a Short Skirt

1
Fold the sarong diagonally. Fold the materially diagonally in half to get a triangle shape.
2
Wrap the sarong around your waist.

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3
Gather the two ends of the sarong and tie a knot on the side. Do a second knot to secure, then fluff out the ends of the material.^{[2]
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Research source}This style is best used as a cover up for swimwear.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Wear as a Halter Dress

1
Hold the sarong horizontally. Wrap the material around your back, like a towel.
2
Bring the top corners together in front of your body.
3
Twist the two corners around each other twice. Then knot them behind your neck to form a halter.^{[3]
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- To create a bandeau style dress instead, tie the two corners of the sarong in front of the body instead of behind the neck.
4
Finished.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Wear as a Long Skirt

1
Hold the sarong horizontally. Wrap the sarong around your waist, as you would a towel.
- If the material is too long, fold the sarong in half horizontally before you begin.
2
Take a corner of the sarong in each hand. Then pinch the corners until you have enough material to form a knot.
3
Make a knot. Gather the material in front of your body and make a simple knot. Then knot a second time to secure.
4
Twist the material to the side of the hip. If you like, you can twist the material to one side. This way, you will expose one leg as you walk.
5
Fluff out the corners. Fluff out the corners of the knot, making sure that the patterned side of the material is facing outwards.
6
Alternatively, tie the skirt so you are completely covered. If you would prefer not to wear your sarong with a slit in front or to the side, you can tie it using an alternative method:^{[4]
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- Hold the sarong horizontally and wrap around your waist (like a towel). Then keep pulling both corners all the way around your body until you can tie them at the small of your back.
- If done correctly, there should be no slit in the material, and the sarong should almost look like a normal skirt from the front.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Other Styles

1
Wear as a one shoulder dress.^{[5]
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- Hold the sarong vertically, wrapping one of the shorter sides beneath one arm.
- Take the two corners - one in front and one behind - and tie them over the shoulder of your opposite arm, using a double knot.
- Gather two edges of the sarong (on the same side as the shoulder knot) at your waist and make a double knot to secure.
2
Wear as a side-slit dress.^{[6]
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- Hold the sarong vertically and wrap around your back, like a towel. Gather the two top corners and tie in a double knot, above the bust.
- At the front of the dress, gather two of the edges at waist level and tie in a double knot.
- Pull the waist-level know to one side, until the slit opens at the side of your leg.
3
Wear as a draped dress.
- Hold the sarong vertically and wrap around the front of your body. Gather the two top corners and tie loosely around the back of your neck, leaving the material draping at the front.^{[7]
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- Pull one of the sarong's edges around your back to cover yourself. Grab the other edge and tie several inches together at the waist, using a double knot.
4
Wear as a bandeau cascade dress.
- Hold the sarong horizontally and wrap around your back, like a towel.
- Hold the sarong at the corners, then move your hands along the edges of the material until they are about a foot closer to the chest on each side.
- Gather the edges and tie above the bust using a double knot. The excess material should cascade along the front.
5
Wear as a toga dress.
- Hold the sarong horizontally and wrap it around your back, like a towel.
- Take one side of the sarong and wrap it all the way across the front of your body, until you can tuck the end underneath the opposite arm.
- Grab the top corner (of the material you just pulled across) and bring it over your shoulder, from behind.
- Take the other top corner and tie the two of them together at your shoulder to form a toga.^{[8]
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6
Wear as a wrap dress.
- Hold the sarong horizontally and wrap around your back, like a towel.
- Holding the top corner on one side of the sarong, pull the material across your body and throw over the opposite shoulder.
- Take the top corner on the other side of the sarong and pull the material across the front of your body (underneath the bust) and around the back, to meet the material on the opposite shoulder.
- Tie both corners at the shoulder to secure.
7
Wear as a jumpsuit.
- Hold the sarong vertically and wrap it around your body, going under the arms.
- Tie the two top corners around your back, using a double knot (you may need someone else's help with this).
- Take the end of the scarf (which should be dangling near your feet) and pull it between your legs.
- Take the two bottom corners of the sarong, wrap them around your waist and tie them at the front, using a double knot.