The 14 Best Sarongs for the Beach

Best Overall

Kenny Flowers Cote d’Azur Midi Pareo Sarong

View on Kennyflowers.com

Ethically made in Bali from 100 percent viscose georgette, the Cote d’Azur Midi Pareo Sarong from Kenny Flowers is a favorite of mine for the unique feel of its fabric. It’s beautifully soft, which means it feels great against bare skin. It’s not as bulky as a traditional cotton sarong, making it easier to tie in a variety of styles and more practical to pack, since it takes up significantly less space in your suitcase. I also like that while it isn’t fully opaque, it provides enough coverage to give you confidence when transitioning from beach to bar. 

The midi length offers easy sophistication, while a choice of sizes (S/M or L/XL) caters to different body types. If you want enough fabric to experiment with different styles, opt for the larger size. The sarong is exceptionally high quality, with rolled hem stitching to prevent fraying along the edges. And although it would be nice to have more patterns to choose from, I love the blue-on-white florals of the Cote d’Azur. The brand also sells matching swimwear and menswear for a coordinated vacation photoshoot or special celebration.

The Details: S/M or L/XL | 100 percent viscose georgette

Best Splurge

lemlem Lema Sarong

View on Lemlem.com

At almost three times the price of our overall winner, the Lemlem Lema Sarong is certainly not a budget pick. However, I love it for its flawless quality and authentic design, which reminds me both in style and material of the sarongs sold by local vendors on the beaches of Mozambique and Tanzania. The cotton and acrylic blend is handspun and woven in Ethiopia, in a choice of traditional striped patterns ranging from Hulet vanilla to Ayele blush. A hand-twisted fringe adds visual interest. 

All versions are light, cool, and comfortable. The length, which hits just above the knee, is the ideal solution for those that want the freedom of movement of a shorter style while still maintaining a decent amount of coverage. This one-size-fits-most sarong can be worn as a top or scarf as well for ultimate travel-ready versatility. 5 percent of all purchases are donated to the Lemlem Foundation, which works to empower female artisans living in impoverished African communities. 

The Details: 62 x 28 inches | 95 percent cotton, 5 percent acrylic

Best Budget

Eicolorte Beach Sarong

$17 at Amazon

At the other end of the price spectrum is the Eicolorte Beach Sarong, which costs roughly 16 times less than our splurge pick. In addition to its wallet-friendly price tag, I love it for its easy maintenance. Made from soft, breathable polyester, it can be thrown in the washing machine along with the rest of your hotel laundry whenever it gets salty or sandy. The naturally textured fabric hides wrinkles well, making it ready to wear straight out of your suitcase. 

The midi length offers ample fabric for tying in a range of styles, whether you want to use it as a traditional wrap skirt or as a halter dress, shawl, or head covering. It’s generous enough for plus-sized figures (but possibly a little too big for very petite women), with a tasseled fringe to elevate the overall look. Semi-sheer without being too transparent, the sarong comes in a wide range of colors from royal blue to blush pink. 

The Details: 65 x 42 inches | 100 percent polyester

Best Short

Sea Level Sunset Frayed Sarong

View on Sealevelaustralia.com

The Sunset Frayed Sarong from Australian-owned company Sea Level is designed to hit just above the knee, making it the Goldilocks choice for those that want something in between midi and mini sarong lengths. I love this style because it maximizes freedom of movement and allows for extra airflow (a lifesaver in hot and humid countries) while still providing enough coverage for wearing outside the resort. 

It’s made from lightweight and breathable double cotton gauze, which is semi-sheer when held up to the light but plenty thick enough to perform well as a swimsuit cover-up. Colors include blue, sea (a jewel-bright green), white, and black. On all versions, the shorter edge is frayed to add an extra level of definition to the split when tied. The sarong should be hand washed and air dries quickly. 

The Details: 75 x 24 inches | 100 percent cotton

Best Mini

Kulani Kinis Mini Mesh Sarong

$45 at Nordstrom View on Kulanikinis.com

The purpose of a mini sarong is less to cover up and more to add an element of fun and flirty style to your poolside look. Few achieve this goal better than the Mini Mesh Sarong from Kulani Kinis, which comes in a range of eye-catching floral patterns rendered in bright neon colors. The upper-thigh-skimming ruched hem and sheer mesh finish are decidedly sexy, while the polyester and elastane blend provides enough stretch for a precise, secure fit. 

The sarong comes in small, medium, and large sizes to accommodate most body types with just the right amount of fabric leftover after tying it around your waist. Care instructions are strict — hand washing with mild detergent and no tumble drying — but the thin material should air dry quickly enough in warm weather to allow for near-constant use on vacation. 

The Details: S, M, L | Polyester, elastane

Best Crochet

Cupshe Crochet Midi Cover-up Sarong

View on Cupshe.com $40 $28 at Macy's

I love crochet pieces for adding a touch of boho glamor to your vacation snaps, and the Crochet Midi Cover-up Sarong from Cupshe does so at a very reasonable price point. The creamy color goes well with everything, making it possible to pack lighter by bringing just one sarong for your entire trip. Even better, the wide knit allows your favorite swimsuit to get the attention it deserves even when you’re en route to the pool or ensconced at the resort bar. 

Although the sarong is fully transparent, the midi length goes some way to making you look covered up. It’s also elegant, pairing the longer length with a thigh-high slit that allows unhindered mobility and plenty of airflow. The sarong secures with a self-tie closure and has reinforced hems for added durability. That being said, it must be washed on a cold, delicate cycle and laid out flat to dry. 

The Details: S, M, L, XL | 100 percent acrylic

Best Fringe

Lands’ End Tasseled Swim Cover-up Sarong

$27 at Landsend.com $45 $32 at Macy's

If you’re hoping to stand out from the crowd this summer, choose a tasseled sarong like this midi-length one from Lands’ End. I love the way the oversized tassels break up the sarong’s silhouette when worn as a skirt or dress, adding impact and a sense of intentional style to your look. And while the blue ombre color is my personal favorite, you can also choose yours in purple or pink. 

The sarong is made from 100 percent modal, a wonderfully soft and pliable fabric that drapes beautifully and ties easily. It also dries quickly when wrapped over a damp swimsuit, helping to wick water away from your body. Finally, modal is renowned for its ability to resist wrinkles, which means the sarong can be packed without any particular care and still look good upon reaching your destination. 

The Details: One size | 100 percent modal 

Best Linen

Monday Swimwear St. Tropez Sarong

View on Mondayswimwear.com

Linen is one of my favorite fabrics for hot weather given its natural ability to regulate temperature. The crinkle linen used for Monday Swimwear’s St. Tropez Sarong is slightly stretchier than traditional linen, making it easier to tie and affording greater freedom of movement. The latter property is important since this generously-sized sarong reaches almost to the floor when worn as a skirt. 

The crinkled fabric also helps to conceal the wrinkles typically associated with linen travel garments. It’s semi sheer for maximum breathability, with a raw-edge finish that channels laid-back island vibes. Above all, I love this sarong’s gorgeous color options. These range from striking cobalt or chili pepper to virtually edible shades like dragon fruit or clementine. 

The Details: 75 x 45 inches | 100 percent linen 

Best with Clip

Back From Bali Sarong

$30 at Amazon View on Backfrombali.com

Crafted in Bali from lightweight, quick-drying rayon, this sarong is an almost exact replica of one I bought at a Kuta street stall and wore around Indonesia for two months. I love the eye-catching floral designs (think hibiscus charcoal, orchid blue, or frangipani black) and the generous size which offers full-length coverage from the sun for a wide range of body types.  

The inclusion of a coconut shell clip adds tropical style points while also simplifying the tying process. Use it to secure the sarong as a wrap skirt, one-shouldered dress, or halterneck swimsuit cover-up. When you get home, you don’t need to relegate your purchase to the back of the cupboard. It’s big and beautiful enough to use as a throw, tablecloth, or wall hanging until your next tropical adventure. 

The Details: 75 x 45 inches | 100 percent rayon 

Best Pre-tied

Lilly Pulitzer Leevy Sarong Cover-up

View on Lillypulitzer.com View on Saks.com

Part skirt, part sarong, the Leevy Sarong Cover-up from Lilly Pulitzer is designed to be pulled on and off rather than tied, which makes life easier for those that are worried about knots loosening or coming undone. It also offers a sleeker look with significantly less bulk than the other options on this list. At the same time, a full split preserves the sexy style, ventilation, and flexibility of a traditional sarong. 

I like that the fabric is fully opaque, making this more appropriate for wearing out and about than some of our sheer choices. The ability to wear it on a sightseeing trip or night out as well as to the beach or pool cuts down on the number of different outfits you need to pack, helping to save space in your suitcase. Finally, the recycled polyester and spandex material is as eco-conscious as it is comfortable. 

The Details: XXS to XL | 79 percent recycled polyester, 21 percent spandex

Best Reversible

Andie Sunshine Tienda Porto Reversible Sarong

View on Andieswim.com

For ultimate versatility, consider the Andie Sunshine Tienda Porto Reversible Sarong. With rusty red-and-white stripes on one side and a bright floral pattern on the other, it’s essentially two garments in one, both of which can be tied in any number of different ways. It measures 76 x 44 inches for a full-length look when worn as a skirt. You’ll also have plenty of material to play with if you want to experiment with it as a dress or shawl. 

The 100 percent cotton fabric is lightweight and breathable enough to keep you cool despite its ample coverage, while its natural absorbency allows it to dry quickly when splashed with water at the pool or beach. It also packs down small and takes up hardly any of your luggage weight allowance. The only drawback? It’s somewhat high-maintenance, requiring separate hand washing in cold water.

The Details: 76 x 44 inches | 100 percent cotton

Most Versatile

Shinjuku Lanes Santorini Bamboo Sarong & Scarf

View on Shinjukulanes.com

Although most of the sarongs on this list can be worn as a scarf or shawl, the Santorini Bamboo Sarong & Scarf by Shinjuku Lanes is the only one specifically designed for this purpose. Made from luxuriously soft bamboo, it’s less bulky than cotton or linen choices and therefore less restrictive when worn around the neck. The fabric is also non-static so it won’t cause hair frizz. 

Bamboo drapes well and is naturally UV-resistant — a major plus when wearing it as a swimsuit cover-up in strong sunlight. The fact that it also resists odor means you won’t have to wash it as often as other fabrics. When a wash is required, the sarong dries quickly. While the Greek-Island-inspired cobalt and white print featured here is my personal favorite, there are several other shades and patterns available online. 

The Details: 73 x 40 inches | 100 percent bamboo

Best Opaque

UV Skinz Women's Sun Wrap

View on Uvskinz.com

There are two main reasons to choose a fully opaque wrap: for modesty when out and about, and for protection against skin damage caused by sun exposure. The UV Skinz Women’s Sun Wrap achieves both goals with an opaque fabric that has been UPF 50+-certified in a third-party laboratory. It’s designed to block more than 98 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays, allowing you to stay longer in the sun without getting burned. 

Despite its opacity the fabric is also quick-drying, lightweight, and breathable. It’s easy to tie and can be worn in a number of different ways including as a sarong or shawl. Choose the larger size and you can even wear it as a dress. Finally, I always prioritize travel clothes that are easy to maintain on the go and this garment scores points for being machine washable. To dry, simply hang in the bathroom or out on your vacation rental balcony. 

The Details: 59 x 36 inches (S/M), 71 x 39 inches (L/XL) 

Best for Men

1 World Sarongs Men’s Solid Color Sarong

$25 at Amazon

If you thought sarongs were only for women, think again. In most countries and cultures where sarongs or pareos are traditionally worn, you’re just as likely to see men rocking the fashion. My South African husband lived in his while sailing a yacht for two years along the African coast and says that for hot climates, they’re the ideal choice for maximum breathability and freedom of movement. 

This one from 1 World Sarongs is made especially for men from a lightweight rayon that gets softer each time you wash it. Its dimensions (66 x 44 inches) reflect the fact that it’s intended as a wrap or pareo rather than as a dress, while subtle color choices ranging from dark green olive to light gray cater to more masculine tastes. If you like to make a statement, don’t worry — there are bright shades (think mint or purple), too. 

The Details: 66 x 44 inches | 100 percent rayon