A garment which has printed cloth and is wrapped around women’s waist is called women wraparounds. It is available in various designs, styles, patterns and several fabrics as well. The women wraparounds may be short length or full length as per choice and the style of wearing wraparounds also varies; it may be used as sarong, wrap, beach cover ups and pareos etc.
Sarong, another type of women wraparounds, is a garment which is 4 ½ to 5 yards long and women wraps it around her lower half of body. This long strip is especially worn in southeastern part of Asia, in pacific islands and in some African countries. Sarong is made of attractive colored fabrics and it is tied or tucked by women around her waist.
The main attraction of sarong is its Kepala (head), which used to be in centre of this long strip. Kepala may be made as a layer of colors which would be contrast in nature or it may be woven as some special patterns of fabric also. The whole cloth is stitched as it looks like in tube shape.
If we go back to history of ancient Greeks and Romans, there was a women wraparounds garment named Tonga which was very similar to sarong. It is known by various names in several countries. In Hawaii and Tahiti, it is pareos; it is Kanga in African countries, it is sari in India, and in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand it is known as sarong. It may be used in various ways and styles; it may be used as a cover up after bath, as skirt, as toga and as beachwear too.
Manufacturers use various range of fabrics and make stylish and beautiful sarongs. Natural fabrics as cotton and silk are used commonly for various reasons. Silk is used as it is light weighted, fine textured and presents elegant look.
Cotton is comfortable and having quality of absorbent, that’s why it is a better choice of manufacturers. To meet the trends and to give style in low prices, they use various synthetic fabrics like nylon, polyester, georgette and rayon to make this type of women wraparounds.
Indonesia is largest exporter and manufacturer of sarongs, which is also a reason of being called it as sarong in global level. There were certain fixed designs, patterns and styles of sarong for kings, queens and elite groups in ancient times. Those were not allowed for common people to wear.
Sarongs are offered in various patterns like striped, crocheted and floral but batik pattern, an artwork of Indonesia, is most popular.
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