The History and Origin of Sarongs

A sarong is a piece of fabric that is worn by men and women on the bottom half of the body. While the Scottish people wear kilts, many Asian regions wear sarongs. Even still, the sarong is a popular garment that is worn by many people in any different counties in a variety of ways. The sarong has a long history in the world, and its presence is one seen and felt. Sarongs have been worn for over 500 years now, and it seems that its popularity is only getting better by the day.

While men usually wear them only for religious purposes and special occasions, the same is not true for women. The term "sarong" comes from Indonesia. The Malay language from Malaysia, Indonesia to be more exact, is actually where the term comes from. The sarong is worn for religious purposes, as a fashion statement, and sometimes for other reasons not listed. The traditional sarong is created using a process known as Batik. It is this process that provides the astonishing overall look of the sarong. This look varies from a checkered pattern to circles or a multiple-prism of colors in various shapes and sizes.

Wearing a Sarong around the World

For example, in the United States, the sarong is popularly worn by women as a swimsuit cover-up. These sarongs come in various styles, designs, and colors, and are certainly head-turning pieces. Typically this type of sarong is very colorful and lightweight, and may even feature emblems or other stylish additions. They are not, however, similar in style to the traditional sarong. A traditional sarong is usually darker toned and may have a checkered or another type of pattern on it. The sarongs made for special occasions usually feature these additional emblems and rhinestones to add charm and appeal.

The Indonesian natives would use a technique to dye their sarongs called batik. This technique used to hand-dye fabrics with the use of wax and dye repellent is one that takes time and devotion, but the ultimate result being a beautiful sarong.  Wherever the wax was placed on the fabric, that piece of material would not absorb the dye. It is similar to the way that we put blue masking tape on a wall when we are painting stripes. The paint goes all over the wall, except where we put the tape. It is a pretty interesting process to say the least. Once his process was complete, the Batik sarong was the result. The sarong is very colorful and takes on different patterns. The sarongs worn by men are different in style than those worn by women.

Sarongs are also worn in many other ways in addition to a swimsuit cover-up. Sarongs make beautiful dresses, scarves, turbans, and tops, and sometimes they’re used to decorate different furnishings around the house.  A sarong makes a beautiful fabric cover for a chair, and that is just one of the many possibilities for the sarong. With a bit of creativity, the many uses of the sarong are endless. It is beautiful enough that you want to use it in a multitude of ways. Since the color combinations and designs are endless, you never have the same look twice, which allows you to create a unique look wherever you go.

Sarongs are quite comfortable to wear, especially if you live in a hot or humid climate because they let a breeze in. They are so comfortable, lightweight, and easy to wear that they are worn in Indonesia, Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Asia and other parts of the world where the temperatures are sometimes very hot and humid. It is the heat, perhaps, that originally started the idea and later the popularity of the sarong. It is for these reasons that the sarong has become such a popular garment adored in all regions of the world.

What is interesting to know is that the sarong is not called a sarong in all parts of the world. If you’ve been reading this thinking that it sounded familiar, but the name didn’t sit right, this is probably why! For example, in Tahiti, Hawaii, and the Cook Islands, the sarong is known as a Pareo. In South Asia, the sarong is known as a Lungi or Mundu. In Africa, the sarong is called a Macawiis. No matter the name, the sarong is just as beautiful from one region to the next. 

Final Thoughts

It is easy to understand the popularity of the sarong for both men and women with the information in this article. Although the sarong originated in the Eastern World many, many years ago, it is a piece that quickly went versatile and is now enjoyed by individuals across the world. There are traditional sarongs, as well as not-so-traditional choices, giving everyone the perfect sarong to cater to their needs and tastes. 

So tell us, what's your perfect sarong? :) We'd love to hear from you.

Batik Sarongs: Learning More About This Art Form

No one can ever question the amazing artistry offered in Indonesia. The country is one that is full of treasures and treats for not only those who call it home, but also to those who choose to visit the country each year.  More than 269 million people reside in the country, and millions more visit annually. More than 150 active volcanos can be found throughout the country.  A number of animal species also exist in the country, perfect for nature and wildlife lovers. But the real claim to fame is the Indonesian batik sarongs. Of the many treasures found in the country, these are by far and wide one of the best. These sarongs have been made popular all around the world, including the United States. They’re bright and colorful, as well as fun and fierce. You can easily wear them to a formal event, to cover-up a swimsuit, or even wear it to work. Indonesians proudly wear their sarongs as a symbol of respect and power.

The Art of the Batik Sarongs

Now, let’s learn more about this art form. The history of batik goes a long way. First we must answer an important question many people ask themselves. That question? What is batik? Batik is a method of color dyeing. In this process of color dyeing, wax is added to only those areas of the fabric, which are to absorb the dye. This batik process of adding wax and dyeing only those waxed areas repeats itself. The wax can be taken off and re-applied many different times to make attractive and complex designs. To judge whether the fabric is machine dyed or not, you need to look for some difference in design & color over the dyed fabric. This indicates that the fabric is not machine dyed, but it is a batik.  The history of batik goes a long way.

Sarongs are made from rayon fabric and this type of fabric is viscose. One of the many qualities of rayon is that it drapes and swings exquisitely. Another quality is that this rayon is very soft, even softer than cotton and bouncier than silk. Lastly, what can we say about the experience of wearing a batik sarong? They are tremendously comfortable and lightweight. There are a few tools used in the creation of this artistic sarong, however, they are mostly created by hand. The creator will also have several choices when it is time to pick the type of wax that is used in the process of making a batik sarong. These factors all play a part in the overall look and design.

Wearing Batik Sarongs

Batik sarongs are indeed beautiful. The fabrics take lots of attention to detail, time, and effort to create. Each sarong that is created represents exquisite craftsmanship and defines art in its best form. Wearing a batik sarong can help you feel good from the inside out, while also helping you achieve a great look for most any occasion. You will find many different ways to wear it, and as long as there are no religious beliefs or restrictions in place, there is no reason that you cannot wear it and experiment with it as well. Who knows what kind of awesome look you can create?

As mentioned above, sarongs can be worn as bathing suit cover-up. Those in the western world predominantly use them for this purpose. With the sun glistening down, you will certainly shine brightly with a batik cover-up, or you can wear it as a skirt. It is easy to play around with this beautiful accessory, easily creating numerous skirts of differing types and lengths. Show a little or show a lot –it is all up to you and your creativity.

Why not take it one step further and turn your sarong into a gorgeous dress? You can create many different styles that you can wear almost anywhere. Add a pair of matching shoes and you will look beautiful all night. Wrap it around your neck and use it as a shawl. You will appreciate the provided warmth for your neck, but will also love the gorgeous and bold look that you create.

As you can see, the possibilities for wearing a sarong are endless. Put your creative juices in gear and you will have no problem at all using this beautiful piece of fabric to help you express your unique personality. Batik sarongs are a piece of art that you can wear. Now all that is left to do is for you to rock the look!

Batik Talk: The Spirit of America in the Heritage of Batik

~ Art is seen as a part of life and it's important to appreciate the feeling of Indonesia that is manifested through Batik ~

What is Batik? And what happens when Indonesian heritage of Batik meets American contemporary art? This fascinating video made by The Embassy and Indonesian Societies in Washington DC showcases the cultural fusion of Indonesian Batik culture and American modern designs. "The media of Batik is of great interest as an object of cultural collaboration", says artist Agus Ismoyo.

We are in the age of modernization where technology becomes a part of Batik. How does it affect the final product? These days, Batik designs are being created digitally and computers are used to form electronic designs. Following the history of Batik, a batik painter would typically hand draw & paint on a big white fabric in free motion. The question is - how would electronic designs be adapted into the natural process of Batik making?

The challenges for Batik production is to make sure that the art stays true to its aesthetics. When creating new sarong prints on a computer program, it's easy to have control over the designs according to taste, shape and color. The challenge for sarong makers is to emulate the exact design and colors from a digital artwork using a natural process. The technique of coloring on a piece of cloth is subjected to variables that are hard to manage in comparison to say, having color codes to key in from a universal color chart.

Watch this video to understand these challenges better and to enjoy the American contemporary designs in Batik form.

PS: Do check out our collection of hand painted sarongs and Batik sarongs!

Get to Know your Sarong - The Batik Tools

So if you're well informed, you'll know that Batik is a traditional art medium and methodology for creating designs on cloth. It is a technique of applying wax to portions of the material and then dyeing it with colors, followed by removing the wax. We do realize that there's a lot of intricate craftsmanship being put into each sarong piece!

Now the question is, how exactly are they applying wax to the cloth? To answer this question, we'd like to introduce two traditional instruments in the art of Batik making - the Tjanting (Canting) and the Tjaps (Chops).

A 'Tjanting' is a hand drawing tool that functions as a wax pen. This ancient Javanese gadget is used to hold hot wax in a tiny copper bowl attached to a wooden handle. This gives an artist better control and precision when hand crafting batik pattern lines or dots onto a sarong material.

The 'Tjaps' are Batik stamps which are made of copper, where each stamp consist of patterns or designs that are cut out and shaped in detail. The tool is then dipped into wax and used to stamp onto the sarong material to get the best results of aligned and accurate repeat patterns or design borders.

As we continue to run about and meet all the amazing people behind the scenes while sourcing and researching for the best sarong selections, we also like to understand and share knowledge of the production processes as well as cultural references. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment!

Read more about 'What is Batik' or shop for an Indonesian Batik Cotton Sarong!

You Design & You Shine: Beach Sarong Design Contest

Join our beach sarong design contest! Whether you’re an aspiring or experienced artist, submit your art and have a chance to:

• Win prizes
• Get exposure
• Gain credibility
• Expand your portfolio
• Support a sustainable cause
• Have future design opportunities
• See your designs put into production

This design contest is open to all artists - the more designs you submit, the more opportunity you have to win. So spread the word and tell your friends!

About us:

1 World Sarongs is an international brand based in Southern California, USA that’s been around for 15 years focused on sustainable fashion. If your designs are picked, you’ll be able to have this as a feather in your cap and gain international recognition! 

So what are you waiting for? Get in the game by submitting your sarong designs now! Contest starts now and ends December 30^th 2013.

How to enter:

Step 1: Stick to the theme ‘Floral Beach Sarong’ with a main audience of women ages 20-55 years old.

Step 2: Be inspired and design as many motif ideas as you'd like following the design parameters. All art work must be original and created by you (the contestant) with the right to assign copyright to 1 World Sarongs.

Step 3: Submit all your designs in JPEG/PDF format (High Resolution 300dpi). Make sure you name and describe each design idea. 

Step 4: Send your designs to style@1worldsarongs.com with email subject “1 World Sarongs Design Contest" along with the following details:

1. Full Name:
2. E-mail Address:
3. Mobile Number:

4. Country:

5. Website/Blog/Portfolio (if any):

Kindly ensure all your information is correct. We will send you a confirmation email that we received your submission (if you don’t get a confirmation, we didn’t get your email!).

Judging Criteria:

·         Unique

·         Beautiful

·        Wow Factor

·    Minimal & simplistic

·        Tropical Beach Island Style

·        Wearable Beach/Resort/Cruise Fashion

·         A short written description for each design (minimum 20 words)

Image Design Requirements:

• Maximum 5 colors
• View samples of floral sarongs to get ideas but be unique
• Submit your artwork with the following dimensions: 200 x 115 cm
  
• Design format should be in PSD or JPEG / PDF Files in High Resolution (minimum 300dpi)
• Winning designs will be produced with either hand screen print or batik stamp method. To get an idea on how sarongs will be made watch video here

What will the winners get?

• Contribution to a sustainable fashion brand
• Full credit for winning designs at 1WorldSarongs.com
• Your winning sarong design produced by us and shipped to your doorstep
• Cash vouchers worth up to $500 to redeem any of our products from 1 World Sarongs
• A golden opportunity to be commissioned by a worldwide recognized beach fashion brand to create more designs

Prize:

• 1^st prize – $500 cash voucher valid for 1WorldSarongs.com products + 5 finished sarong pieces of your very own designs
• 2^nd prize – $250 cash voucher valid for 1WorldSarongs.com products + 3 finished sarong pieces of your very own designs
• 3^rd prize – $100 cash voucher valid for 1WorldSarongs.com products + 2 finished sarong pieces of your very own designs
• Plus $50 cash voucher valid for 1WorldSarongs.com products per additional winning design

Contest Terms & Conditions:

·         By submitting your designs to 1WorldSarongs.com, you acknowledge that you assign to 1WorldSarongs.com the entire right, title, and interest in and to the copyright in your design and the right to further sublicense the design.

·    You acknowledge that the design you are assigning to 1WorldSarongs.com is your own original work, has not been previously published, and does not contain any trademarks, logos, copyrighted material, or any other intellectual property belonging to any third party.

·         If your design is selected, 1WorldSarongs.com may use your design in any manner on or in connection with the design, including but not limited to: making derivative works of the design, using the design on the 1WorldSarongs.com website and other affiliated websites and sales channels or promotional materials for 1WorldSarongs.com.

How Do We Make Sarongs? Discover: Screen Print and Batik Stamp Methods

Are you curious and want to know what goes on behind the scenes? 

Research and sourcing is a part of what we do to make sure that we deliver the best of the best sarongs to our customers. It helps us to give value to our products and appreciate the hard work of traditional craftsmanship.

So we've compiled some video snippets of what we've learned and really want to share this knowledge to all those who are passionate about our favorite island wear - Sarong.

Watch our video to discover these two hand made methods - Screen Print and Batik Stamp.


Got questions or comments? Leave your feedback and we'll be more than happy to answer!

1 World Sarongs is Finally Blogging!

That's right 1 World Sarongs "The Sarong Source" is finally web logging or blogging!

We've taken the next step in our webvolution...(web + evolution = webvolution).

We're excited that we'll be able to easily keep in touch with everyone and keep you up to date on what's going on over here. We have no shortage of stuff to blog about that's for sure!

As I write this...our next shipment is arriving from Bali to Los Angeles and should be delivered by Wednesday the 2nd of July 2008. That's great cause we're running really low on everything and need to restock right away...watch for many of our sold out items to come back in stock.

So far this year is off to a really great start with the introduction of our new clothing line at 1 World Sarongs - Clothing 2008!

Our new line includes sundresses, long dresses, skirts with matching tops, embroidered sequined satin sandals, some guys shirts and sandals and lots more!

We've had a wonderful response to our new exclusive line of clothing which includes batik patterns of hibiscus, hand drawn batik bamboo patterns and also lovely pastel colors with delicate embroidery.

Oh wow...we're going nuts just trying to keep up with it all. But we're so thrilled at the great response we're getting it's inspiring us to do more.

We have about 30 new sarongs in the pipeline too...batik sarongs, floral sarongs, cotton sarongs and much more...so stay tuned!

Thanks to all who have supported us over the last 7 or so years (yes seven- can you believe it?), and we look forward to hearing from you soon!

Peace,

Terry

1 World Sarongs

P.S. Sign up for our mailing list to get news and special offers... Mailing List

P.S.S. Here's a few of our latest testimonials...they actually make us blush...

"Sarongs are exactly as shown in pictures. Sarongs are high quality. Excellent color representation on website photos. Excellent customer service and delivery. With gas prices the way they are, it is not worth driving around looking for stores that sell sarongs, and then finding they don't have any you like, and driving more to find another store. This website is fast and convenient to use. If you don't have a trip to southeast Asia planned anytime soon then I recommend 1 WORLD SARONGS."

"We have shopped at 1 World Sarongs for several years. It has the best prices, great service and the products are shipped out quickly. The quality of their dresses and sarongs are excellent. I highly recommend 1 World Sarongs."

"I absolutely LOVE 1 World Sarong!!!!! Before I make any purchases I check every merchant I can find for price, shipping, and reviews. I seriously mean EVERY merchant. Ive been online a very long time. This has become habit. I World Sarongs cannot be beat. I found a sarong on their site for under $10.00, I found the exact same sarong at another merchant for almost $150.00. Ive called their customer service and they keep my info in their computers making ordering extremely easy.... I personally have not found a better online site for sarongs. Ive placed many orders with 1 World Sarong and plan on placing more. If anyone has question about this merchant, or would like more information feel free to email me directly. Deanna Steeves dmethe123@gmail.com"

"Everywhere I travel, people stop me and comment on what a beautiful sarong I have on & ask where I got it from and I tell them. Ive bought and received sarongs as gifts from other merchants over the years as well, but they dont compare to what you get at 1 World Sarong. The quality, the selection you get is unlike no other. Its hard to buy products online because you dont know what your getting until you get it, but 1 World Sarongs definitely delivers!!! You wont be disappointed in their products. The colors, the materials, etc.. - fantastic!!!! I wont shop for sarongs anywhere else!!"

The sarongs sold by 1 World Sarongs are the most beautiful sarongs I have ever seen!!! I already have four of them and I love them all, so difficult to choose a favorite one because they are all amazingly beautiful!! Sarongs by 1 World Sarongs are my new addiction!! I will definitely be ordering more. Customer service is excellent and very friendly. One is treated like a human being and questions are answered politely. I even got a free e-book describing the numerous ways to use sarongs. Shipping is also excellent. I pay for regular/standard shipment but my items always arrive sooner than I expect them. I also feel wonderful knowing that a percentage of my order from this company goes to charity. This company should be a model for other online companies.