Pareo or sarong? What it is, where it comes from, and 7 ways to wear it

The world's oldest garment is also the most modern

There's a piece of fabric that has existed for thousands of years, crossed oceans and cultures, and been worn by peasants and royals, fishermen and Hollywood divas.
It has no seams, no sizes, no instructions.
It drapes, it ties, it adapts.

It's called a pareo or sarong, depending on where you are in the world.

In Polynesia, they call it a pareo.
In Malaysia and Indonesia, it's a sarong, from the Malay word that simply means "cover."
In Africa, it's a kanga or a kikoi.
In India, we find its roots in the sari.
In Fiji, it's a sulu, in Samoa a lavalava.
Even the ancient Greeks had a similar garment.

Every culture has adopted it, reinterpreted it, made it their own, and today, the pareo is more relevant than ever, not as an exotic souvenir, but as a conscious, versatile, eco-sustainable garment. Exactly the spirit of Malini.

🌍 A history spanning millennia

The pareo originated in South and Southeast Asia, then spread through Indian Ocean trade routes to Africa, the Pacific Islands, and much later to the West.

For centuries, it was an everyday garment for entire populations: practical in tropical heat, easy to wash, quick to wear. But it was also much more! A cultural symbol, a ceremonial item, a sign of identity.
In Indonesia, it was originally reserved for nobility and royalty. The patterns and colors indicated the social status of the wearer.

In the Western world, the pareo arrived unexpectedly: first through Paul Gauguin's paintings and the women of Tahiti depicted with their colorful Polynesian drapes, then thanks to Hollywood cinema in the 1930s and 40s. Designers like Ungaro, Versace, and Armani recognized its potential in the 80s, and it has never gone out of fashion since.

Not because it follows trends. But because it always precedes them.

🌿 The Malini pareo: fine cotton and artisan block print

Not all pareos are created equal! Indeed, the difference between an industrial pareo and an artisan one is vast, and you can feel it at the first touch on your skin.

Most pareos on the market are made of polyester or synthetic viscose, materials that seem soft but don't breathe, don't adapt to the body, and with every wash release microplastics into our seas, a real contradiction for a garment born on the world's beaches.

Malini pareos are made of 100% natural, high-quality cotton, hand-printed with the artisan block print technique, the same ancient technique we described in our article dedicated to the traditions of Indian block print. Each print is the result of hand-carved wooden blocks, pressed onto the fabric with precision and patience by artisans who have preserved this knowledge for generations.

Cotton breathes, adapts to body temperature, and becomes softer and more beautiful with each wash. It is the perfect fabric for a garment designed to be in contact with the skin under the sun.

Explore our collection of pareos and sarongs each piece is unique, each print unrepeatable.

🎨 How to wear a pareo: 7 ways that really work

The beauty of the pareo lies in its complete freedom; there's no right or wrong way.

But here are seven practical ways, from the simplest to the most creative:

1. Long skirt - the timeless classic

Hold it horizontally behind your back at waist height, bring the two top corners forward, and tie them at the hip or in the center. Tying at the hip creates a natural slit that adds movement. It's the simplest way and always works.

2. Short skirt - for the waterline

Same method as the long skirt, but fold it in half before wrapping it. Perfect for strolling along the shore without losing style.

3. Swimsuit cover-up with a halter neck

Place it horizontally across your back under your armpits, bring the two front corners together, and tie them behind your neck. In three seconds, you have an elegant, cool, and comfortable cover-up.

4. Tied top at the waist

Fold it into a wide strip, wrap it around your torso over your swimsuit, and tie the two ends at the front or side. Paired with denim pants or shorts, it's a complete summer look from the beach to aperitifs.

5. Stole over the shoulders

Fold it in half lengthwise and drape it over your shoulders like a light stole. It's the perfect way for evenings when the temperature drops but you don't want to give up the lightness of summer.

6. Draped dress

Wrap it around your entire body under your arms, bring the top edges behind your neck, and tie them. With a thin belt at the waist or one of our Malini scarves used as a belt, it becomes a beautiful, flowing dress.

7. Headscarf or turban

Fold the pareo into a wide strip, wrap it around your head, and tie the ends at your forehead or the nape of your neck. It protects from the sun, adds color to your outfit, and with the artisan prints of block print, it's simply irresistible.

✨ The pareo in the boho chic wardrobe: not just for the beach

There's a common misconception about the pareo: that it's exclusively a beach garment, to be taken out only on holiday and put away with the umbrella.

We disagree!

An artisan cotton pareo with a quality block print is a piece that deserves much more.
Paired with flat sandals and a raffia bag, it's perfect for a summer day in the city.
Draped as a stole over a simple dress, it transforms an ordinary look into something special.
Used as a light throw on a sofa or as a runner on an outdoor table, it adds color and life to any environment.

This is the spirit in which we produce it: not a disposable accessory for the beach season, but an artisan piece that accompanies life in all its moments.

Like all beautiful things, it lasts if you take care of it.
Wash it by hand or in the washing machine at 30°C with delicate detergent, hang it to dry in the shade, and don't iron it: natural cotton always falls gracefully on its own.

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Have you found your favorite way to wear a pareo? Show us your look on Instagram @maliniworld — every summer our customers surprise us with combinations we never would have imagined.

Discover all our artisan pareos and sarongs — and let yourself be inspired by a thousand years of textile history.