The Sarong: Your Perfected Travel Companion
Packing for a tropical vacation or cruise can be an overwhelming knowledge. It’s commonly difficult to pare down exactly what you will need for any occasion that may arise during your travels. Airlines are heavily restricting the total body weight of luggage and adding a hefty fee for additional baggage. Is there one single item you can pack that is multi functional? Enter the sarong.
A sarong is defined as a garment consisting of a length of printed or solid colored material that is worn around the waist by women and men. Traditionally the sarong is made of true materials like cotton as it is breathable and light.
In Mauritius they are called pareos. In Myanmar, it is known as a longyi. In Malawi it is called a chitenje. A similar wrap-around worn by Tagalog women is called the saya or tapis, and is half of the Baro't saya. In Punjab it is a called maylee when worn by a man, and a gamcha when worn by a woman.
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Sarong cover-ups
Sarong wraps
Sarongs
Typically the sarong is thought of as bathing suit cover up and it indeed serves that purpose well. What is more exotic than a good-looking piece of material worn over a swimsuit while sitting poolside to the pool ship sailing through the open seas? Not only will you look lovely, your skin will be protected from the sun.
For easygoing day trips a sarong works well as a skirt and looks stylish with a tank top and sandals. It also transitions with ease for evening events by tastefully adding a broach or jeweled pin where the sarong is knotted and pairing it with a fantastic pair of shoes. After a long day in the sun a sarong makes a pretty shawl to wrap around your shoulders or can look incredibly chic as a headscarf.
Should you visit a locale that requires women to have their legs, arms or head covered a neutral colored sarong would be an past perfect solution to honor the culture. In India similar articles of clothing are the [phanek] in Manipur, dhoti (or dhuti in West Bengali, vertti in Tamil, pancha in Telugu,panche in Kannada and Mundu in Malayalam). In fact, Lamour was nicknamed "The Sarong Girl" by the press and even wore a sarong on occasion in more traditional films. In Kerala the brightly coloured sarongs are called kaily and the white ones are called mundu. In Eastern Africa, it is called either a kanga (worn by African women), or a kikoi (traditionally worn by African men).
While the sarong is as usual thought of as a fashion piece its uses are practically endless. Avoid carrying thick and heavy towels over a swim suite or pool and use your sarong to lounge on. If you are in need of extra privacy a sarong is useful as a curtain or room divider if you are sharing accommodations. Hotel sheets can ordinarily be uncomfortable; use your sarong for a bed sheet instead. Ditch the bulky bathrobe and use your sarong post shower. If you are planning a romantic picnic on the beach a sarong makes for a excellent tablecloth.
Due to their light nature a sarong dries quickly and can be casually washed out in a small sink with a mild detergent or shampoo. They pack in a excessively compact manner and can be used to protect fragile items you select up on your travels.
Sarong cover-ups are pleasing, versatile, inexpensive and for your next tropical vacation or cruise, the must have travel companion.
