As someone who literally owns over one hundred swimsuits (I know, it's crazy), I consider myself an expert when it comes to beachwear. Recently, I've gotten even deeper into it through a newfound appreciation for experimenting with swimsuit styling. It's surprising how much variety you can add to your beach wardrobe with the right accessories. Just one bikini in my collection feels brand-new a dozen times over with the right touch. One of the accessories that I've underestimated the most has to be sarongs.
Swimwear brands are calling this piece a wardrobe staple, offering sarongs that either match the bikini you're about to buy or come in as a statement piece that is fun to play around with. It's the most effortless outfit coordination you can imagine, and you'd be surprised by how good an unexpected clash of prints can look.
When packing your bags for this summer's vacations, just tie a sarong around your waist, add a touch of jewelry, and voilà—you have a chic summer ensemble in under two minutes. I'm officially done with styling my swimsuits with denim shorts and oversize tees. My bikini game instantly hits the next level when I add stylish sarongs.
Top 5 Sarongs
- Best Luxury Sarong: Pucci Printed Cotton-Voile Pareo
- Best Mini Sarong: Natori Cotton Sarong
- Best Long Sarong: Skims Signature Swim Sarong Skirt
- Best Linen Sarong: Monday Swimwear St. Tropez Sarong
- Best Statement Sarong: Donde Esteban Estrellitas Patchwork Printed Cotton and Silk-Blend Pareo
Best Luxury Sarong:
Pucci is the designer on everyone's mind when it comes to beachwear this season. I'm obsessed with their sarongs, which you could pair with a matching bikini. This iconic pattern is perfect, and it's made from a lightweight cotton-voile.
Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: One size
Pros: Luxe
Cons: Pricey
Best Mini Sarong:
Natori is the best for minimalist, high-quality pieces. I love how this is sheer, so you can still see your swimsuit underneath. It's made from an airy cotton, which ties at the hip.
Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: One Size
Pros: Lightweight
Cons: Less coverage
Best Long Sarong:
For a long sarong, Skims is my favorite. It has a high slit and feels more like a maxi skirt, with a simple SKIMS logo detail made of matte hardware and fixed knot at the side waist. I also love that it comes in sizes XXS to 4x.
Material: 76% Recycled Polyamide / 24% Elastane
Sizes: XXS-4X
Pros: Chic; Wide Size Range
Cons: Not adjustable
Best Linen Sarong:
For best linen sarong, I like the Monday Swimwear St. Tropez Sarong. Firstly, it comes in so many different colors. Beyond that, it has endless options for styling due to its versatility.
Material: 100% Linen
Sizes: One Size
Pros: Versitile
Cons: Best when dry cleaned
Best Statement Sarong:
Made from a patchwork of vibrantly printed cotton and silk-blend panels, this Done Esteban won me over for best statement sarong. It's so unique.
Material: 70% cotton, 30% silk
Sizes: One Size
Pros: Silky
Cons: Delicate machine wash cold
Other Editor-Favorite Sarongs
Best Pink Sarong:
This Hunga G one is so good. The sweet bubblegum hue is as best as it gets when it comes to pink sarongs. Made from a stretch recycled nylon jersey material, it's quick-drying.
Material: 74% recycled polyamide, 26% elastane
Sizes: One Size
Pros: UPF 50+ protection
Cons: Only fits between a size XSmall-XXLarge
Best Cult-Favorite Sarong:
I would love a Jean Paul Gaultier sarong. For people who love cult-favorite brands, it doesn't get better than this one.
Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: One Size
Pros: Machine wash
Cons: Pricey
Best Emerging Designer Sarong:
This brand is inspired by the merging of contemporary art and fashion with the Green maritime industry—taking inspiration from maritime uniforms and using locally-sourced materials. If you're into thoughtful emerging designers with niche design influences, this one's for you. I'm into the double-tie and delicate draping.
Material: 92% recycled polyester, 8% elastane, 90% polyamide, 10% elastane
Sizes: One Size
Pros: Unique
Cons: Pricey
Best Tassel Sarong:
Made from a blend of linen and organic cotton, I'm all about the fringe moment happening here.
Material: 80% linen, 20% organic cotton
Sizes: One size fits 0-12
Pros: Lightweight
Cons: Less coverage
Best Red Sarong:
If you're a fan of red, the color of this sarong is called "Berry Sangria" and feels so rich. I also like this gauze material. For styling, you can wear it tied at the waist as a skirt, or tied at the chest like a bandeau dress.
Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: XXS-3x
Pros: Soft; Vibrant; Size Inclusivity
Cons: Only comes in one color
Best Floral Sarong:
The print takes this one to the next level. Ideal for floral lovers, this knee-length sarong has a sheer fabrication and an adjustable fit. The brand overall focuses on working with recycled fabrics and natural fibers. in all of their designs, which are made sustainability in Columbia.
Material: 100% Viscose
Sizes: One size
Pros: Sustainable
Cons: Use a hole to insert lace to tie
Best Printed Sarong:
Made of organic cotton, this can be tied as a mini or midi length sarong, or folded into quarters to be used as a smaller square scarf.
Material: 100% Cotton
Sizes: One Size
Pros: Versatile
Cons: One size
Best Striped Sarong:
Stripes are perfect for a New England summer. This sarong has soft frayed edges, ties at the front, and is made of 100% cotton.
Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: One size
Pros: Versatile
Cons: Hand wash only
Best Nautical Sarong:
This one has a nautical watercolor print, so it's perfect for the nautical resurgence we've seen lately. You can wear it as a sarong or as a wrap.
Material: 100% Cotton
Sizes: One size
Pros: Unique
Cons: Less coverage
Best Budget-Friendly Sarong:
I love that this one can double as a blanket. Made from Gap's signature linen cotton, this one is soft with an airy-light texture.
Material: Cotton 67%, Recycled Polyester 20%, Polyester 10%, Spandex 3%
Sizes: One size
Pros: Budget-friendly; lightweight
Cons: Doesn't go with everything
How We Picked the Best Sarongs
When compiling the list of best sarongs, I looked beyond just aesthetics. I began by considering customer reviews, hype on social media, and trends.
From there, I assessed each piece based on a range of key factors. Material way a major part of it—favoring high-quality fabrics. I also paid close attention to sizing, prioritizing inclusive options and cuts that flatter a range of body types. Versatility played a role too—liking sarongs that can be styled multiple ways. Price point was another factor, with a mix of designer and affordable.
Lastly, I considered what made each sarong unique, whether it was a thoughtful design detail or a cool print.
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This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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