BANGALORE: Sarongs or pareos are used from Rio de Janeiro to Malibu, from Honolulu to Cannes – this fashion accessory is known world-wide to all and is worn everyday by men and women all over the South Pacific, Indonesia and Southeast Asian countries.
Sarongs are widespread in the northeast part of India – in the state of Manipur, where they are called phanek, in the south Indian states of Kerala, where they are called mundu (if fully white or fully black) and lungi or kaili if coloured, and Tamil Nadu, where they are called sarem or veshti or lungi and are usually worn at home.
The Sarong is an ancient garment, as basic and simple as a single length of cloth can be. Today, modern fashion versions of sarongs are made in bright prints and colours, and worn as a wrap skirt, halter dress or shawl and worn casually to the beach or pool.
Sarongs are popular with women across the beaches of the world as a cover-up for swimwear. There are endless ways one can wear a sarong using various techniques to arrange the fabric and trying different ways of wrapping, tucking, tying, draping, knotting, and folding the fabric around the body. They can be draped and tied into summer dresses, skirts, shawls, scarves, turbans, togas, you name it. But why just limit this versatile garment only for summers. This season is just right.
Here’s an insight for ‘the right sarong’ for this season. Designer Achala Sachdev and Manoviraj Khosla tell us about the do’s and the don’ts and what exactly to do to make that single piece of cloth complement your personality and style.
Says Achala, “I love to transform my sarongs into skirts that are either short or ones that are long with high slits. It gives the opportunity to experiment with tops and accessories”.
Colours
Both our designers agree that bright coloured sarongs are the in-thing for the gloomy rainy season. Says Khosla, “Bright colours and shades of red, orange, blue and yellow will light up your day and evening as well.” “It would be advisable not to go for dull shades and if you do then team it up with bright accessories and top”, adds the designer.
Patterns
Khosla advises bright prints and geometric patterns for the season. For men the flowery ones are the best, they can go for. Adds Achala,
“I love the northeastern sarongs with bright colours and wide borders. Belive me, they are simply amazing. You get any combination of colours and borders,” she says. “Floral prints for that lazy gloomy day are an
absolute in thing,” she adds.Fabric
“Cotton fabric are the best if you are going out for an evening. When you team them up with a casual top it gives a semi formal look”, says Achala.
Khosla on the other hand advises that loose and flowing fabric are the way to go if you are going to a pool party.
Team it up with
“What you wear with your sarong and what colour, will influence the entire outcome. If your sarong is bright coloured then wearing a subdued coloured t-shirt or a shirt would look good. It should also be in accordance to where you are going,” said Khosla. Says Achala, “A sarong can be teemed with a nice sexy top or a shrug hanging on one side, make sure it suits the occasion and the place.”
Footwear
Bright chappals for the pool side party or heels if you are going out for an evening, would be the way to go according to Khosla.
“Chappals with beads are a rage these days. Let me add, the usual flip-flops are also a good idea – as we use them on a bright sunny day – always works if you want to keep it toned down,” keenly advises Achala.
Accessories
“Chunky jewellery is the best way to accessorise your sarong”, says Khosla. “There are variety of options when it comes to accessorising. A sling bag or a basket kind of bag or a clothy hat or a straw hat and a bag go very well with sarong. When it comes to jewellery, metals are a big no no, long beaded jewellery are the way to go”, adds Achala.
Precautions
“Wearing it transparent at the wrong place is the perfect recipe for a disaster,” Achala warna. “It’s all about the right combination. Where you are going and what’s the occasion. Chances of going wrong are high if you are not careful with the type of fabric and the colours. Loads of variety is available with scope to experiment,” adds Khosla.