The Barong is a style of formal dress shirt worn in the Philippines. Barong is actually a shortened version of Barong Tagalong, translating literally to “Tagalog dress” in Tagalog, one of the languages spoken in the Philippines. Barongs are made of banana fiber or pineapple fiber and feature a hand-embroidered design. Barongs are worn for formal situations, but can also be worn for more informal events, with a pair of nice slacks. Philippine Barongs are popular because they are made of thin material and are therefore cool in warm temperatures.

Iron or steam the Barong so that it is smooth and wrinkle-free. Because the material is thin, it may tend to wrinkle more easily than other shirts. And because it is a formal shirt, you want to make sure it is nice and pressed before attending an event.

Put on an opaque undershirt, such as a sleeveless shirt or short-sleeve undershirt. Make sure the shirt is in a similar color, because it will show through beneath the shirt. Also, make sure the collar complements the other shirt. For instance, a V-neck undershirt may look odd with the high crew neckline of the Barong.

Pair the Barong Tagalog with a pair of dark-colored dress slacks. Because the shirt is generally white or off-white, the dark slacks form a nice contrast with the color of the shirt. Do not tuck the shirt in. Wear nice dress shoes as you would with any pair of formal slacks.