Summertime is here, which means the weather is getting warmer, the sun is staying out longer and our summer clothes are finally out of hibernation.
A pareo is the perfect summer garment. Between the beautiful prints, lightweight fabric, and plentiful ways to style them, pareos are a must-have in any summer closet.
Similar to sarongs, pareos originated in ancient Tahiti and were designed for both men and women. The versatile article of clothing has lasted generations, and it’s just as stylish now as it was in ancient times.
Pareos come in so many different shades and patterns to compliment all body types, so there is truly a wrap for everyone.
Once you pick out your favorite La Blanca Pareo Wrap, the fun really begins. There are countless styles and techniques to tie and wear your pareo; you will never tire from wearing a pareo wrap.
We’ve narrowed down some of the best tips to tie your pareo wrap, so keep reading to find out which techniques complement your sense of style.
Skirt Techniques
Of course, pareos can be worn and used in many different ways, but traditionally they were worn as skirts. Wrap skirts are currently very on-trend, but have also historically been a favored style for pareos.
You might have a distinct image in your head as to what a pareo skirt looks like, but even as a skirt, the pareo can be tied and adjusted to create different styles tailored to your unique tastes.
Mini Skirt
If you have a more modern sense of fashion, then you should tie your pareo as a mini skirt. As a wrap, your pareo mini skirt look will still have that beachy, summertime vibe with a hint of your own style.
To tie your pareo into a mini skirt, follow these steps:
- Take your pareo and fold it in half, horizontally to achieve the short length
- Wrap the pareo high around your waist, being sure to pull tightly
- Tie a tight knot
Maxi Skirt
For more coverage and elegance, give this maxi skirt style a try. Maxi skirts are flowy, flattering on everybody, and suitable for just about any occasion. It is one of the most common ways to tie a pareo, and it is exceedingly simple, too.
To tie your La Blanca Pareo Wrap as a maxi skirt follow these steps:
- Take your pareo and wrap it around your waist
- Take the ends of your pareo and tie them together in a knot on the side of your hip
Two simple steps is all it takes to transform your pareo from a beautiful cloth into a beautiful skirt.
Dress Techniques
Another common way to wear a pareo is as a dress. The beauty of your pareo is that its versatility allows you to style it in virtually any style of dress. You can save some money and rock a variety of dresses with one (or two) pareos.
Whether you want to opt for a classic dress silhouette with two sleeves or give a tube-top dress a try, anything is possible with a pareo. Read on to learn about our favorite ways to style a La Blanca Pareo as a dress.
Halter Dress
Halter-style clothing is classy and timeless, and it’s easy to create using a pareo. For reference, the halterneck is a style of clothing where the strap runs from the front of the garment around the back. Halter necklines can be worn for dressy occasions, or just to spruce up your casual style.
Styling your pareo as a halterneck dress is simple. To achieve the halter dress, look follow these steps:
- Take your pareo and wrap it around to the front of your torso
- Cross over the ends of your pareo and wrap it around your neck
- Tie a knot around the back of your neck to secure your dress
If you want your pareo to fit more snugly or lay shorter, wrap it horizontally once before you wrap the ends to make the halter neckline.
Tube Dress
Nothing says summer quite like a tube top. Tube tops, in case you are unfamiliar, are garments that are strapless and sit straight across your torso. It is a cut of dress (or top) that is casual but always stylish.
To tie your pareo into a tube dress follow these steps:
- Grab your pareo and wrap it around your chest
- Bring the ends of your pareo to your backside and tie a tight knot
Two quick steps are all it takes to create a tube dress out of your pareo. As always, simply fold the cloth horizontally once if you want the dress to be on the shorter side.
Romper Technique
An unexpectedly playful way to style your pareo is as a romper. Rompers are a fun garment with a fascinating fashion timeline.
Starting in the early 1900s as children’s play attire, rompers are now a versatile, genderless article of clothing that can be dressed up for formal occasions or worn casually.
Now, you can honor the rich history of the romper by turning your pareo into one. To tie your pareo as a romper, follow these steps:
- Take your pareo and hold it vertically
- Take the top two ends of your pareo and wrap it around your chest
- Tie the top two ends of the pareo around your back
- Pull the bottom half of your pareo between your legs and up around your hips
- Take the two bottom ends of your pareo and wrap them around either side of your hips
- Tie the ends of your pareo together in the front of your waist
Building a romper out of your pareo is a bit more involved than other styles, but the end result makes the effort worth it.
Unlimited Pareo Styles
Pareos are a must-have for your wardrobe this summer. With numerous stylish patterns to choose from and endless ways to style them, you can’t go wrong with a pareo (or two). Best of all, pareos are perfect for every body type.
Style your pareo as a skirt, dress, romper, or even explore other methods that we didn’t explore, such as chic flowy tops or even scarves. Tying a pareo is easy, and with so many techniques to experiment with, you will truly never get tired of the beautiful garment.
Sources
Giorgio di Sant'Angelo | Wrap skirt | American | The Metropolitan Museum of Art