Pratical Sarong

The Many Uses of the Practical Sarong

By Leslie Jordan Clay, Freelance Writer

March 2007

Douglas Adams, in The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, praises the towel as the one essential item that no intergalactic traveler should be caught without. Maybe that’s true for space travel, but on earth, and if you’re a woman, a sarong—those oblong strips of brightly patterned material--may very well be the single most important thing you pack.

A sarong serves the same purpose as a towel but it dries faster.

Plus, it’s sexy. A sarong looks good on just about every figure. Even those of us with ample bottoms and less than svelte waists can usually pull off a sarong with flair. Just wrap it around your waist, tie or tuck in the ends and you have a full-length skirt that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

While the common use of a sarong is beach attire, it can serve other purposes as well. If your favorite traveling clothes are comfy jeans or sweats but you want to visit a mosque or temple and respect the customs, pull out your sarong and tie it on. A sarong can be worn with respect.

Travel on trains or long-distance buses become less worrisome with a sarong. Most budget travelers at some point find themselves settling into a train berth or sleeper bus with the imprint of the last passenger still on the cushions. You will be grateful to pull out your sarong to lay across the seat. A sarong gives the comfort of the familiar and a clean place to lay your head.

You can drape it around your shoulders if you’re chilly.

Or soak it in water and wrap around your head on a hot day.

Parents might want to tie it over their shoulders for a makeshift cradle to soothe a cranky baby.

Sarongs can be frivolous or decorative as well. A drab hotel room benefits from a brightly colored sarong hung over an ugly painting or as a makeshift tablecloth for the night. You can use it to set the mood for a romantic evening by draping it over the lamp for a muted effect.

When your trip is over and you are heading home, you can always use your sarong to wrap up delicate souvenirs for added protection in your luggage.

Of course, a new sarong may very well be the favorite item you bring from overseas. I’ve collected them from all over the world. Each region has its own distinct pattern and may even call them by different names. In Tahiti and Hawaii they are called “pareos.” Africa knows them as a “kanga”. In India you will find a “sri.” And throughout Southeast Asia they are called “surongs.”

Choose your sarong carefully. Bright colors are fun but if you want something multi-functional, an earth tone with a subtle pattern might be better. You want something that appeals to your eye. Batiks are common. Some of the more expensive sarongs are hand painted. Of course, you can also choose a solid color. Material is also important. Cotton will be coolest. Silks are wonderful for elegant attire but they can be difficult to care for when traveling. Some sarongs are cotton blended with polyester. I always go for a high-quality 100% cotton.

If you want to wear your sarong as clothing, how to tie it might seem challenging. However, just a basic knot works fine in most situations. If you are interested in experimenting, the following website has a guide for different ways to tie your sarong: www.1worldsarongs.com/mosatiandus.html.

It might seem like just an oblong piece of cloth, but a good sarong becomes a friend on long-distance travels.