What is a Sarong?

A sarong (also referred to as 'pareo' among Pacific islanders) is a large sheet of fabric, often wrapped around the waist and worn as a skirt by men and women in southeast Asia and Pacific islands, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia.   Baliwear sarongs are a product of Bali, an island in the Indonesian archipelago.  Baliwear sarongs are often brightly coloured or printed with intricate patterns, often depicting animals or plants, checkered or geometric patterns, or resembling the results of tie dying.  Baliwear sarongs are normally produced using either batik processes, or are individually hand-made. 

Sarongs are also often used as wall hangings and other forms of clothing, such as shawls, baby carriers, complete dresses or upper body clothing. In North America, sarongs are often used by women as a cover-up over swimwear.

North American sarongs may have decorative fringing on two sides. They may also have ties, which are long thin strips of fabric used to assist the wearer in holding the sarong to his/her body so it does not fall off while moving around.

If a sarong does not have ties, a pin may be used, or the fabric may be tightly tucked under itself in layers to hold it in place. Numerous tying methods exist, in some cases customarily differing between genders of wearer. A belt may also be used to hold the sarong in place.

Baliwear sarongs are quite light, almost always made of rayon.