Sarong Theory
The power of the pareo and effortless poolside style.
My number one summertime investment for looking put-together, even while slathered in SPF and combing out crusty, salty sea hair? The humble sarong.
My must-follow rule for buying swimwear this summer — in addition to my 5 Swimsuit Theory, of course — is to only buy suits that either come with a coordinating sarong, or can be paired back to one I already own.
Yes, Linen pants are a life-saver, and of course, I saw how good Oprah, Gayle, and Kris looked in their SKIMS x Cavalli caftans, but there’s no denying that the sarong really is the most elite cover-up option.
It’s simple sarong theory, darlings!
What is it about the sarong that makes it so premium? I could ramble endlessly, but I’ll keep my praise topline:
It’s an all-in-one look. With a sarong cinched just so, my one-piece becomes a stylish bodysuit, and I’m ready to roam without feeling like I’m standing around in my skivvies. Plus, the coordination makes styling a no-brainer. If I reach for a swimsuit, I always know what to pair it with.
It’s effortless. Something about the feminine drape caused by the simple knotting of fabric is extremely chic, without requiring a lot of fixing. Plus, I hate the humbling feeling of fighting to pull a dress or top over my head
It’s size-inclusive — while many brands tout them as one-size-fits-all, SKIMS sarongs go up to 4X, and Andie Swim to XXXL — and, for the most part, sized generously to fit different bodies at different points in life. I likely won’t have to invest in a new sarong if I go up or down a size or two.
It’s versatile, and can be styled as a top or knotted into a little bag, in addition to being worn as a skirt or dress.
It’s easily packable — why cram a packing cube full of cover-ups on your next trip when a sarong folds flat or rolls up to fit into even the tiny crevices of an already jam-packed suitcase?
For these reasons and so many more, sarongs are an essential in my summerwear rotation. But I know not everyone frequents the beach as often as I do, so allow me to simplify.
You can buy a coordinating sarong for every single swimsuit, resulting in a hyper-curated beachwear collection, but you can also get a similarly put-together lineup by sourcing one colorful patterned sarong that complements a bevvy of different bikinis, as pictured below. (This one from Amazon looks very Farm Rio, IMO.)
Just make sure everything goes back to the same color story, and one versatile sarong can go a long way.
Or, go for a classic black or white sarong, to be paired with absolutely everything. A random black sarong from Amazon looks like a matching set with virtually any black swimsuit — but it can look just as intentional when styled over a bolder swimsuit alongside other black accessories. Think: colorful ‘kini, black sunnies, black straw hat, and black flip flops (not The Row, please). Chic!
In the same vein, a white sarong lends itself to styling with natural raffia tones, and I especially love throwing on a crisp white linen shirt worn open over a bikini and white sarong. Positively coastal!
My final tip for acing sarong theory: Invest in a wooden sarong tie. This is an especially good option for anyone who struggles with tying their sarong with ease. It also also allows you to use as little of the actual sarong material as possible when tying, making it particularly ideal for anyone with a smaller sarong that doesn’t want to sacrifice fabric (or for someone tying their sarong as a halter dress instead of a wrap skirt, etc.).
I’ve got one in my beach bag at all times, but I’ve also taken to utilizing a vintage gold brooch for a similarly secure look with far more sartorial impact. Both are good!
Below, a few of my favorite swimsuits on the market right now, all ripe for sarong theory thanks to their coordinating coverups. Enjoy!
Sunset Hues via Sigal: Reversible Swimsuit, Sarong
x BG