pareos

Pareos are large rectangular garments worn as wrap-around skirts, dresses, or shawls in many Pacific island cultures as well as in tropical fashion worldwide. Typically made from cotton, rayon, silk, or blends, pareos vary in size from roughly 1.2 to 1.8 meters in length and 0.6 to 1.2 meters in width. They are valued for their versatility, allowing the wearer to adjust coverage and style depending on how they are wrapped.

Wearing styles range from a simple wrap around the hips tied at the side to more elaborate arrangements that create a dress or top. In many island communities the fabric is wrapped and secured with a knot or tucked edge, and it can be worn as a skirt, a tube dress, or a layered wrap. Regional names and practices vary, with pareo-related garments found throughout Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia, as well as in Hawaii and other parts of the Pacific. In modern fashion, pareos are commonly used as beachwear and are produced in a wide array of prints, colors, and patterns, sometimes reflecting local motifs or travel-inspired designs.

Cultural significance and history: pareos originated as practical, climate-appropriate clothing in the Pacific region and were later adopted into global fashion as casual, lightweight wraps. They are often associated with warm-weather settings, tourism, and traditional dances, while continuing to serve daily wear in many communities. Care typically involves machine washing or gentle hand washing, with attention to dye fastness and fabric type.