Clever cover-ups ... For a super-cool holiday look

Press, 21 January 1987, Page 9

Clever cover-ups ... For a super-cool holiday look

In vogue|

Paula Ryan

Pareo, lungi, and sarong all mean the same thing — a length of cloth which is a major summer holiday fashion accessory. I am still receiving requests for photocopies of the last time I sketched some simple sarong ideas, and that was two years ago. Here are four simple ways to tie a sarong, but please note the “fall” of your sarong is determined by the softness of fabric you purchase. For best draping avoid stiff cottons. Silks, muslins, soft cottons and light rayons work well. Buy one and a-half to two metres of cloth to match or tone with your bikini or swimsuit, then neaten two raw edges of your fabric and follow these instructions for simple methods of creating four varying looks. Should you like a longer sarong, then go for a very wide fabric. • Wrap the sarong from back to front, bringing the ends out in front of you. Twist both ends several times, cross

them overeat centrefront, andZtake them either side of your neck. Tie your knot at the back of the neck. • A variation on the same theme which works -best on a l%m l%yd length, is to start with ■the sarong wrapped 'under one arm, with .equal amounts to front and back. Twist the ends as before, cross them ■ over and tie a knot on the shoulder opposite where you started. (You may find ?it easier to twist the ends and tie the knot first, then twist the loop round and slip your arm through;) For these two styles, try wrapping a scarf or contrasting piece of cloth around the waist or hips ■to form a belt. This will prevent the sarong from flying open as you move around. .• Also suitable for a Shorter length is an all-in-one cover-up which can be tied over the bust, or at waist level for a pantaloon type effect. Hold the sarong lengthways in front of you, and tie the ends in a knot at centre back. Take the other end back through your legs and up behind you, bringing the ends , forward and knotting them across your bust.

• An idea suitable for the longer sarong is to wrap it from front to back . around your bust, crossing it over at the back. Bring the ends forward to the front again (twist them if you like) and tie a knot at the centre or side front. Do the same thing at waistlevel if you want to make up a cover-up skirt. Experiment with these ideas and your sarong, and you will probably come up with something new. And don’t forget that if all else fails, your sarong will make a very comfortable beach mat.

It is quite a good idea to make a waist sash and a head scarf in the same fabric if you want to secure your sarong and make it look a little more formal with a turban for resort evenings - without fuss.