Wear a Pareo This Summer

If you are looking for something special for the beach this summer, a pareo might be a good option. Pareos fit your budget, and have a rich history. Chances are you will be one of only a few women paring your bikini with a pareo, which makes it one of the best accessories of the season.

I really enjoy wearing unique and beautiful clothes in the summertime. In the winter, you have to wear so many layers, that you usually cannot show off your cute stuff. So, when I find out about a new summer friendly item that might not be in every store out there, I take notice. One item I have tuned into this season is the pareo. My favorite features are its simplicity and beauty.

The main reason to wear a pareo is that it is a simple clothing item that looks great on the beach for day or night. In addition, it is comfortable and easy to wear. Simply put, it is a brightly colored wrap skirt, typically made of cotton. Many people mistake it for the sarong or the sari, but the pareo is slightly different. The pareo has always been a skirt; while the sarong was a dress that you could wrap and tie right under the armpits, (though many people choose to wear it as a “sarong skirt.”) The sari is a traditional Indian ensemble, consisting of a dress and a wrap, or a shrug.

The pareo originated in Tahiti’s Cook Islands, and Tahitians usually use tapa and hibiscus to color the garment. Traditionally even men wear pareos, but you will not find this too much outside of Tahiti. One of the things that I think make pareos unique are their patterns and designs. When you buy a typical sarong skirt from a department store, it will often have a commercialized, generic looking pattern. However, when you choose a pareo instead, you will find that many of your pattern choices will have a vintage appeal, or a natural quality that is quite beautiful. Style like this will always set you apart from other women.

I found a great resource to learn more about pareos, and the different ways that you can wear them: Wear a Pareo, a great article written by StoneAge2010 on HubPages.