A sarong is the hardest working thing in your beach bag. One rectangle of fabric becomes a skirt, a dress, a top, a head wrap and a shawl.

That is why it has been everyday clothing across Southeast Asia for centuries. The word comes from the Malay word sarung, meaning sheath or covering, and it entered English back in 1834.

The catch: nobody teaches you how to tie one. So here are ten ways, with plain steps that work without a video, plus the one trick that stops the knot coming undone. We make one sarong, the Elle Sarong at £49 in Espresso and Ember Shell, and every tie below works with it or any standard rectangle sarong.

The quick answer

1. Classic wrap skirt: the everyday one
2. Long straight skirt: the polished dinner one
3. Mini skirt: the hot day one
4. Strapless dress: the pool bar one
5. Halter neck dress: the beach to dinner one
6. One shoulder dress: the most "actual dress" one
7. Halter top: the one for shorts and trousers
8. Wide leg trousers: the advanced one
9. Head wrap: the beach hair one
10. Shawl or kimono: the zero effort one

First, the knot trick

Learn this before any of the styles, because it makes all of them work.

Twist the two corners around each other two or three times before you tie. The twist adds friction, and friction is what keeps a knot closed. Then finish with a double knot, tied slightly tighter than feels natural, because fabric relaxes as you move.

For skirts, add one more move: roll the waist edge down over itself once after tying. That roll is how sarongs have been secured traditionally for centuries.

Prefer to watch first? This tutorial covers several of the ties below on a real person.

The skirt ties

1. The classic wrap skirt

Best for: the beach, the pool bar, walking to lunch. The one you will use most.

1. Hold the sarong open behind you, top edge at your waist or low on your hips.
2. Wrap both ends round to the front, snug across your lower back.
3. Overlap the two top corners at one hip.
4. Twist, then double knot at the hip bone, not centre front.

Tip: a side knot drapes better and creates a natural slit as you walk. Knot at the hip for relaxed, or at the natural waist for a longer, dressier line.

2. The long straight skirt

Best for: beach dinners and resort evenings. The most polished option, and the closest to how sarongs are worn traditionally.

1. Hold the sarong behind you at your natural waist, full length falling down.
2. Wrap one end across your body and tuck the corner firmly into the waist on the opposite side.
3. Wrap the other end over the top and tuck it in at the waist.
4. Roll the top edge down over itself once to lock it.

Tip: it is a straight column, so take smaller steps. Put the final tuck at your side and it reads like a wrap maxi skirt with a discreet slit.

3. The mini skirt

Best for: hot days and poolside, when you want legs out.

1. Fold the sarong in half along its length. For a flippy angled hem, fold it diagonally instead.
2. Hold it behind you at hip height, folded edge up.
3. Wrap both ends to the front, overlap, twist and double knot at one hip.
4. Fan out the knot ends so they fall like a flourish.

Tip: folding doubles the fabric layers, which keeps lighter tones opaque even when damp.

The dress ties

These three take a little more practice. This video shows the dress and skirt wraps in motion.

4. The strapless dress

Best for: pool bar, lunch, sunset drinks.

1. Hold the sarong open behind your back, top edge level with your underarms.
2. Bring both top corners to the centre front, over the bust.
3. Twist the corners around each other twice. The twist stops it sliding down.
4. Tie a tight double knot close to the chest, then straighten the fabric.

Tip: for all evening security, pull the corners under the bust after the twist, wrap them round to your back and knot there.

5. The halter neck dress

Best for: beach to dinner without going back to the room. The dress tie that dresses up best.

1. Hold the sarong open behind you, top edge at bust level.
2. Bring the ends forward under each arm.
3. Cross the two top corners over each other at your chest.
4. Take both corners up and double knot behind the nape of your neck.
5. Adjust the crossover for coverage.

Tip: for a gathered, more secure look, twist the ends around each other two or three times at the chest before taking them up. Stylists' trick: hold one end in your teeth while you twist, so both hands stay free.

6. The one shoulder dress

Best for: dinner and evenings. Reads most like an actual dress.

1. Hold the sarong open behind you and pass it under one arm.
2. Bring both top corners up to the opposite shoulder and double knot on top of the shoulder.
3. Gather the loose fabric at your hip on the open side and tie a second small knot there.
4. Smooth the diagonal line across the chest.

Tip: the second knot at the hip is the difference between a dress and a toga. Do not skip it.

The top and the trousers

7. The halter top

Best for: beach bars, with denim shorts or linen trousers.

1. Fold the sarong in half along its length so you have a wide band.
2. Hold it behind your back with the top corners at your armpits.
3. Knot the two top corners behind your neck.
4. Take the bottom corners and double knot them at your lower back.

Tip: fold the fabric towards your body so the crease sits smooth against your skin. Leave the front hem loose and it becomes a breezy cover that shows your bikini.

8. Wide leg trousers: the advanced one

Best for: boat trips and beach markets, anywhere you need to move or climb.

1. Hold the sarong vertically behind you, top edge at your waist.
2. Knot the top corners firmly at your front waist.
3. Reach between your legs, take the two bottom corners, and bring one up to the front and one up to the back.
4. Tie each bottom corner around your waist so the fabric drapes into two loose "legs".
5. Even out the volume at each thigh.

Tip: this needs the sarong's full length, unfolded. And one honest note: most "sarong trousers" sold in shops are stitched garments, so expect a clever drape, not a tailored finish.

This one is far easier to copy from a video.

Hair and layers

9. The head wrap

Best for: beach hair days, sun protection, after swimming.

1. Fold the sarong diagonally into a triangle, then roll the long edge over twice to make a band.
2. Place the band at your forehead with the points going back, or at the nape with the points forward.
3. Bring the ends around and knot snugly.
4. Twist the loose ends into ropes, wrap them around the knot and tuck the tips under the band.

Tip: the twist and tuck at the end is what makes it stay put.

10. The shawl or kimono

Best for: chilly restaurants, evening beach walks, flights, and anywhere with a modesty dress code.

1. Drape the sarong open across your shoulders with the ends even at the front.
2. Leave it loose, or tie the front corners in a soft knot at your chest.
3. For loose "sleeves", tie each front corner to the fabric edge near your wrist.

Tip: if you only learn one tie, make it this, because there is nothing to learn. In Bali, a sarong is actually required to enter temples, so this one is practical as well as pretty.

Which fabrics behave best

Fabric changes how every tie behaves, so here is the short version.

Viscose drapes the most fluidly, which makes the dress styles look best, though it takes longer to dry once soaked. Cotton is the most breathable and holds knots the best, with a slightly chunkier knot. Chiffon moves beautifully and dries fastest, but it is sheer and belongs at the glamorous end.

Whatever the fabric, wring gently rather than twisting hard when wet.

Why a sarong earns its place in your bag

Beyond the ten ties, a sarong is a beach blanket, a towel stand in, a scarf on a cold flight, a pillow on a long transfer, and shoulder cover for temples and churches.

It packs down to nothing and weighs almost nothing. Per wear, it may be the best value thing you pack.

Shop the Elle Sarong

Frequently asked questions

Will a one size sarong fit me?

Yes. A sarong is a rectangle, usually somewhere around 180 by 110cm, and the fit comes from where and how tightly you tie it, not from the garment. That is why sarongs have been one size for centuries.

How do I stop my sarong knot coming undone?

Twist the two corners around each other two or three times before tying, then finish with a double knot. For skirts, roll the waist edge down over itself once. On windy days a hair tie or small clip is a good backup.

What does the word sarong mean?

It comes from the Malay word sarung, meaning sheath or covering, and has been used in English since 1834. Sarongs are traditional everyday clothing across Southeast Asia and beyond, worn by all genders, long before they became beachwear.

Can I wear a sarong somewhere other than the beach?

Yes. Tied as a halter or one shoulder dress it works for dinner. Draped as a shawl it covers shoulders in cool restaurants, on flights, and in temples and churches with dress codes. In Bali a sarong is required for temple visits.

Can a sarong get wet or double as a towel?

Yes, a lightweight sarong works as a beach blanket or emergency towel. It will dry fastest laid flat in the sun. Expect lighter tones to be slightly sheer when wet, and wring gently rather than twisting.

Next, read our guides to which bikini suits your body shape and which bikini colour suits your skin tone.