How to recognise it
At the front you see a diagonal or straight overlap that opens slightly at the hem. The skirt ties with a sash or fastens with a button at the side. There are also faux wrap skirts with a zip.
Where it comes from
Wrap skirts are among the oldest garments: the Indonesian sarong, the Polynesian pareo, the Indian lungi. In European fashion they became popular in the 1970s with the wrap dress.
Who and when it suits
Comfortable and adjustable, it suits summer, holidays and every day. A longer wrap skirt with a blouse and loafers works for the office too.
Variations and look-alikes
It comes short, midi or long, tied with a sash or buttoned, with a ruffled or plain hem. The beach pareo is a simple rectangle of fabric that can be tied many ways. An asymmetric hem skirt looks similar, but a true wrap skirt opens completely.
How to style it
- Check that it does not open too wide when you sit.
- On the beach, wear a pareo over a swimsuit.
- Choose a heavier fabric so the wind does not lift the edge.
Similar styles
Frequently asked
01What is a pareo?
A large rectangle of fabric wrapped as a skirt or dress, usually on the beach.
02How do you stop a wrap skirt opening?
Choose a bigger overlap, a heavier fabric and an extra button inside.