Beach sarongs

Coming from Polynesia

The pareo comes from Polynesia, where the pāreu, a rectangular piece of fabric tied around the body, is a traditional garment worn by both women and men. Adopted on beaches around the world, it has become the essential accessory for swimwear: lightweight, it fits easily in a beach bag, protects from the sun, and can be stylishly worn to transition from beach to lunch in an instant.

Swimwear

Swimwear also comes in:

• Two-piece swimsuits.
• One-piece swimsuits.
• Swimwear tops.
• Swimwear bottoms.

All swimsuits are gathered on the swimwear page.

How to tie it

The pareo can be worn in many ways. Tied at the hip, it becomes a skirt, long or short depending on how it's folded. Tied behind the neck or above the chest, it transforms into a strapless dress or backless dress. Folded in half, it makes a tied top. It can also be worn as a shawl over the shoulders against the sun, or spread out on the sand like a towel. The shorter Desigual pareo, being smaller, ties into a mini skirt.

Fabrics and patterns

The pareo is made from a viscose or lightweight cotton, soft and quick drying. The Banana Moon Savari, from the French swimwear brand, matches its bikinis. The Desigual with colourful prints from the Barcelona brand, and the Barts Roula, from the Dutch brand, complete the selection. Rinse your pareo in fresh water after the beach, wash it at thirty degrees, and dry it in the shade to preserve its colours.

Good deals

Good deals can also be found in the good deals, promotions, clearances, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and the items shipped within 24 hours are prepared and dispatched in 24 hours. The key sales events occur in a consistent order: the Black Friday in late autumn, the year-end holidays, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, followed by the summer sales and back-to-school.

Frequently asked questions

How to turn a pareo into a strapless dress?

Place the pareo behind your back, under your arms, bring the two corners to the front and tie them above your chest. By crossing them and then tying them behind your neck, you'll get a backless dress.

What size pareo should I choose?

The pareo is generally sold in a one-size-fits-all format. A large one can be tied as a dress or long skirt, while a short pareo, like the one from Desigual, is worn as a skirt on the hips, making it more practical for walking.

Which pareo material dries the fastest?

Viscose and cotton voile, thin and lightweight, dry quickly and fit into a beach bag. Thicker fabrics provide better coverage but tend to stay damp longer after swimming.

Can you wear a pareo in the city?

Yes, tied as a wrap skirt with a t-shirt or tank top and sandals, it goes from the beach to a seaside bar. A discreet print makes it easier to wear off the sand.

Can a pareo replace a beach towel?

It serves as a lightweight mat to lie on the sand and dries much faster than a towel, but it absorbs less water. Many people take both, with the pareo also being useful for sun protection.