17 Ways to Use a Sarong while travelling
I have a list of packing essentials that I always bring no matter where I am travelling.
A sarong is definitely on that essentials list!
Why a sarong you’re wondering? Well, there are so many reasons why!
Sometimes I even pack 2 sarongs!
Check out these 17 ways to use a sarong while travelling.
What is a Sarong?
Well, basically it’s a long square or rectangle fabric. They often are made of fabric with beautiful designs. The first known use of sarongs was in 1830 by the Malay culture.
The word sarong means ‘to cover’ in the Malay language.
Ok, let’s get started on how you can use a sarong while you’re travelling.
A Bathing Suit Cover Up
When I go to the beach, I always pack a sarong.
After I am done swimming, and I have dried off a bit, I use the sarong as a cover up.
Another reason besides literally covering up, is that wearing a sarong can prevent me from getting sunburned too!
So it dries, protects from the sun, and covers. Not bad…
A Beach Towel
Maybe you already have a beach towel that you are sitting on, but now it’s all wet because you just went swimming.
You can get out your sarong and dry yourself off with it instead.
Or maybe you didn’t want to lug a beach towel with you, or just had a spontaneous day at the beach… either way a sarong can save the day! It will become your beach towel.
A Shower Towel
This will depend upon the type of travelling that you are doing.
Maybe you only have 1 towel in your room, but you want to wrap up your hair too, the sarong can be the 2nd towel used to wrap up your hair.
It can also be used as a regular shower towel as well.
The nice thing about a sarong is that they are thin and light-weight, so they dry fast!
Plus, they don’t take as much space in your luggage as a beach towel does.
A Blanket
It can that extra layer of warmth to help you feel a bit warmer.
Enough said, it can be used as a blanket.
You can even use it on a plane Top 8 Ways to Be Comfortable On your Flight!
A Skirt
You can wear your sarong as a skirt. It could cover your bathing suit, or just wear it with regular clothing.
There are different ways you can turn a sarong into a skirt.
It could be doubled to be a skirt around knee length.
Also, you can leave it full length if you want or need to cover your legs.
Check out the video below for ideas!
A Dress
You can use a sarong as a dress too.
Actually, you can turn a sarong into a jumper, a top, a dress…
…even different styles of dresses.
Another thing that I love about sarongs is that there are so many funky designs and patterns printed on them.
Check out the video below for some easy ways to turn a sarong into clothing.
How do you turn a sarong into clothing?
I know what you’re thinking it’s just 1 square piece of fabric, well it’s very versatile. Check this out! 👇
A Source of Shade
You can tie your sarong to a tent, car, pole, or tree to spread it out like a canopy over top of you.
You could also put the edge of it into the top of a car window or door, then carefully close it. The other side can be held up by rope or tied to something.
If you really can’t find anyway to hold it up, then just simply hold it over your head.
It will still give you a bit of a break from the sun.
A Bed Sheet
If you don’t have bed sheets where you’re staying, or you don’t want to sleep on the bed sheets that you have, put your sarong down first.
It can act as a bed sheet for you.
If you decide to take a nap outside, a sarong layed over the grass is so nice too.
I don’t know about you, but I love the feeling of the sun shining on me as I lay there.
With the sarong, no grass is itching my legs though. 😆
Wrapping your Hair
You could use a sarong as a head scarf.
There are different ways that you can wrap it around your head, some involve long hair being hidden inside, and others, the sarong just fits over your head.
A Temporary Privacy Curtain
If you need to cover your body as you are changing at the beach or somewhere in public, you can drape a sarong over you or wrap it around you.
This allows you to change into different clothing, while still remaining clothed and not exposing yourself in public. 🧥😯
Protection
First, if you have any valuable things that you bought at a market or store, you can put the sarong on top to hide the item, so that no one can see that you’re holding valuables.
Second, if you bought some breakable items, you can wrap them in the sarong to get them safely to your hotel or luggage without breaking.
Lastly, when you are packing to return home, or to your next destination, you can wrap your breakables in the sarong before you put them in your bags.
Sometimes, I will double wrap. I will wrap the sarong-wrapped item in a sweater or pants too.
A Table Cloth
Another simple one, drape it over a table.
Maybe you are having a picnic or ordered take out, but you don’t have somewhere clean to eat.
Lay the sarong over a table, picnic table, bench etc…
Your meal just got a whole lot classier! 🤣
A Scarf
A sarong, although it’s light weight can help keep you warm too.
It can keep the wind or sun off your neck.
It can aid with keeping your body heat in your body and just add the extra layer of clothing.
Warmth while travelling
Those air conditioned planes trains, and buses can sometimes be so cold.
Covering up in a sarong can keep your body warmer.
You can use it to cover your feet and legs, and wear a sweater.
Another option is to use it as a blanket and pull it up over you.
I try to tuck it under me too. This helps to keep the cold air conditioning from freezing me a bit more. 🥶
If you have a flight soon, feel free to check out my travel blog about Top 8 ways to be comfortable on your next flight!
A Pillow
You can roll a sarong into a long tube, then use it like an airplane travel pillow. Fold it like a letter C and put it around your neck.
If that’s not comfortable for you, then fold it into a square and use it as a mini pillow.
Either way, it can help to keep your neck in a comfortable position.
A Head Cover
There are some countries and cultures that may require you to cover your head or hair to go to certain places or events.
This is often seen as being respectful or following the rules of the culture.
Using a sarong over your head and draping it back over your shoulder, can help make sure that you’re following the cultural protocol and being respectful.
A Window Covering
Remember those times when you stay at a hotel or somewhere else, and the curtains are not the greatest…
You know what I mean, the sun is shining in across your face at sunrise because the curtains don’t close all the way, or even worse they are see-through!
I have had this experience and used a sarong and it helped so much. Check out the photos below!
You don’t even feel like you have your privacy in that room with the see-through curtains.
The sarong can be clipped on with a clothes peg, paperclip, or even tied on.
It can go over the window where the curtain doesn’t cover, or over the curtain itself. The sarong can give it that extra layer of privacy and darkness while you sleep, and fill in those gaps where the curtains don’t close.
Read up on this tip and others in 15 Tips to Sleep Better at your Hotel.
What else should you pack?
If you are looking for packing tips you can use these Ultimate Carry on Packing Tips, or this guide on What to Pack for a Great Weekend away.
Which ways do you use a sarong?
So, what is your favourite way to wear a sarong?
Is there a way that you wear your sarong that is not on my list? If so, I would love to hear about it in the comments below.
Besides being a travel blogger, I am also an English teacher.
I have an English shop with English learning resources and English courses too.
The Comments
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Flo
I couldn’t agree more! I love sarongs, They are the best! They are called ‘pareo’ in Tahiti and in addition to the list above, men can use them as shorts, thanks to a clever traditional wrapping…
Lorraine Black
> FloThank Flo! I agree, they are awesome!
Wow, thanks for the new info! I appreciate that! I am going to check this out!
Denise
Wow! Sarongs are truly versatile. Thank you! Now I have some more ideas on what to do with my sarongs.
Lorraine Black
> DeniseThey really are! You’re welcome! Let me know if you come up with a new way to use a sarong!
Betti
I agree 100%. I always travel with a Sarong or a wide Scarf.
Lorraine Black
> BettiNice! Great minds Betti! 😉 I hope you get to pack your sarong very soon! 🙂 Where do you think your next travels will take you?