The Sarong: Your Unflawed Travel Companion
Packing for a tropical vacation or cruise can be an overwhelming proficiency. It’s most often difficult to pare down exactly what you will need for any occasion that may arise during your travels. Airlines are heavily restricting the weight of luggage and adding a hefty fee for additional baggage. Is there one single item you can pack that is multi functional? Enter the sarong.

A sarong is defined as a garment consisting of a length of printed or solid colored fabric that is worn around the waist by women and men. Traditionally the sarong is made of to be trusted materials like cotton as it is breathable and light.

Although both nomadic and urban Somali men have worn them for centuries in the form of a plain white kilt, the colorful macawis sarong, which is the most popular form of the garment in the region, is a relatively recent arrival to Somalia courtesy of trade with the Southeast Asian islands and the Indian subcontinent. In Tonga it is known as tupenu. Kangas are brightly coloured lengths of cotton that incorporate elaborate and artistic designs and usually include the printing of a Swahili proverb along the hem. The sarong is common wear for women, in formal settings with a kebaya blouse. A traditional Khmer dancer wearing a sampot in CambodiaThe basic garment known in English most often as a "sarong", sewn or unsewn, has analogs in many regions, where it shows variations in style and is known by different names.

Most often the sarong is thought of as bathing suit cover up and it certainly serves that purpose well. What is more exotic than a pretty piece of fabric worn over a swimsuit while sitting poolside sarong-location ship sailing through the open seas? Not only will you look pleasant, your skin will be protected from the sun.

For effortless day trips a sarong works well as a skirt and looks stylish with a tank top and sandals. It also transitions with ease for evening events by casually adding a broach or jeweled pin where the sarong is knotted and pairing it with a fantastic pair of shoes. After a long day in the sun a sarong makes a good-looking shawl to wrap around your shoulders or can look incredibly chic as a headscarf.

Should you visit a locale that requires women to have their legs, arms or head covered a neutral colored sarong would be an best solution to honor the culture. Designs vary greatly and range from checkered square motifs with watermarked diamonds and plaid to simple geometric lines. Malay men wear sarongs in public only when attending Friday prayers at the mosque, but sarongs remain very common casual wear at home for men and women of all races and religions in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Northeast Part of India, in which Sarong is known as Phanek in Manipuri [1] and most parts of Southern India where it is called lungi or mundu. In the center of this sheet, across the narrower width, a panel of contrasting color or pattern about one foot wide is woven or dyed into the fabric, which is known as the kepala or "head" of the sarong. Sarongs are widespread in the Northeast part of India, the South Indian state of Manipur, where they are called Phanek, in Kerala, where they are called mundu, as well as in Tamil Nadu, where they are called Sarem or Veshti, or Lungi (worn by Muslims) and are usually worn at home.

While the sarong is generally speaking thought of as a fashion piece its uses are virtually endless. Avoid carrying thick and heavy towels on a cruise or pool and use your sarong to lounge on. If you are in need of extra privacy a sarong is useful as a curtain or room divider if you are sharing accommodations. Hotel sheets can frequently be uncomfortable; use your sarong for a bed sheet instead. Ditch the bulky bathrobe and use your sarong post shower. If you are planning a romantic picnic on the beach a sarong makes for a admirable tablecloth.

Due to their light nature a sarong dries quickly and can be tastefully washed out in a small sink with a mild detergent or shampoo. They pack in a excessively compact manner and can be used to protect fragile items you choose up on your travels.

Sarong cover-ups are elegant, versatile, inexpensive and for your next tropical vacation or cruise, the must have travel companion.