You can use them as a quick coverup, as a towel, as a picnic blanket or even as a hair scarf, in a pinch. The sarong is pretty damn versatile. Just ask the women of India, Southeast Asia and Africa who have been wearing them for centuries. And while the western beach-ready version isn’t quite the same thing, a sarong simply refers to a large swath of fabric wrapped and knotted around the body.
As far as beachwear goes, a sarong is much easier to wear than a tunic you have to pull over your head (considering you’ll probably knockoff your glasses and sunhat in the process), and far more comfy than denim cutoffs (who thought this was a good idea in the first place?). Sure, you could simply knot two corners at your hip and call it a day—nothing wrong with a classic—but for those who are interested in playing with some new styles, here’s how to tie a sarong nine different ways.
(Pro tip: You can always use an extra hair tie or butterfly clip to hold your sarong in place if you don’t have enough fabric to tie a true knot.)