How to Wear an Indonesian Sarong
In early times in Indonesia, sarongs were specially made, and they were worn strictly by royalty. Now, wearing sarongs in all sorts of styles is popular around the world. In Indonesia, women and men wear the flowing, colorful garments. Women often wear the cloth from the shoulders down; men wear sarongs as billowing skirts. Though there are many techniques for wrapping and wearing an Indonesian sarong, two of the most common styles--one for men and one for women--will have you dressing like a local. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Traditional Long-Dress Technique for Women
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1
Hold the sarong in front of you in a horizontal position. Pull the cloth toward. Wrap the top of the sheet around your upper chest, almost to the chest bone.
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2
With an opening now at your back, take one side of the excess cloth in your left hand, the other in your right. Tug each twist of fabric away from the center so the fabric is snug against the skin.
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3
Fold the twists into a tie in the back. Tuck the twists down into the "triangle" that appears as a space in the fabric. When the two twists are tucked tightly, tie a simple knot in the center of your back, just below the shoulder blades. Tug the cloth tightly enough so that the sarong stays on your front but not so tight that it squeezes.
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4
Pick up the excess cloth from the floor. Shimmy the cloth between your legs. Pull it around to the front of your body and up around your waist.
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5
Pull the cloth out like two wings from your waist. Wrap the left "wing" and the right "wing" to your front. Rest each side on your belly. Tie the corners in the cloth into a loose knot (similar to the one tied at your back). Two cloth strips will remain: one pointing up, one pointing down, like a sideways bow.
Traditional Skirt Style for Men
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6
Hold the cloth horizontally in front of you at just above waste level (at about the bellybutton).
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7
Wrap the sarong against your body. Stretch the cloth over either the left or right side of your body first (it doesn't matter which side). Stretch the fabric around your body so that half the cloth is wrapped around you and the other half is extended straight out, like a wing.
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8
Pull the excess cloth across the front of your body. Hold the inner fold against your body with one hand. Draw the front to the other side of your body with your free hand, wrapping yourself in a cloth roll-up. Secure the fabric tightly around your waist like a wide, cloth belt.
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9
Pull the folded cloth back against your opposite hip. Roll the top edge of the sarong (above your bellybutton) down over itself. Create a tight roll so that it stays on. The final sarong roll should end just above the hip bone.
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10
Secure the wrap. The sarong will loosen as it's worn and depending on how much you move around in it. To tighten the wrap, open the free side of the sarong. Fold again and roll the cloth around your waist until it fits comfortably again at the hips.
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