As a summer person through and through, I will find any way to dress like I’m on holiday, even if I’m in London on the Central Line. My basket bags are never reserved only for the beach, I'll wear my denim shortsthroughout the year until I risk frostbite, and my more-is-more jewelleryaesthetic I love by the pool, trickles into my everyday outfit throughout summer at home, too. After spying a certain item all over Instagram, and also seeing it at CPHFW, I’ve noticed that my fellow summer people are not just saving their sarongs for exotic locations. Instead, so many people are choosing to style the sarong as a skirt with an item we all most likely own – a shirt.
The simple outfit formula of a sarong + shirt is one that’s easy to replicate; it’ll work for everything from a city break to dinner dates, and it blurs the line between beachwear and tailoring. And we all know a high/low outfit formula is one that’ll never fail. Don’t believe me? Let me show you how fashion people have been styling this beachwear hero.
Content creator Bruna Rizk was seen on the streets of Copenhagen wearing and black and white printed sarong, clashed with a striped shirt. And if you were unsure of how to make sure this scarf-type skirt doesn't come loose when you're styling it as part of your everyday uniform, you can make like Bruna and fasten it with either a brooch or a chain belt. And as seen both above and below (I'll come on to the next look in a second), the shirt has to be tucked into the sarong for it to have that polished, less beachy vibe we want to achieve.
Lauren @astyleedit has also worn the sarong over a shirt look, teaming her oversized button-down shirt with the sarong tied similar to how we're seeing a lot of silk scarves worn as a belt. And with butter yellow, a fish print sarong (hello, sardine girl summer) and red flip flops, she's just so happened to tick off three key summer trends in one fell swoop.
Keen to know how else you can style the item you most likely keep in storage until your holiday date? Fashion influencer Chloe has shown more ways to wear it – including the sarong worn as a top with trousers, and as a mini skirt with heels for a night out. Who knew the humble sarong was so versatile?
Now you've seen how to wear it for all occasions, here are some of my favourites from the likes of The 87, Away That Day and Reformation.
Shop: Best Sarongs
www.thereformation.com
Need further proof that the sarong with a shirt outfit is definitely a thing? Reformation has even styled its fringed brown style this way. And yes, I'll be copy-and-pasting this look for a night out.
awaythatday.com
In not one, not two, but ten colours and prints, this sarong by Away That Day (my favourite swimwear brand) is made for everyone. Of course, this red style would look good over a matching swimsuit, but for the city, simply add it over an oversized striped shirt.
John Lewis & Partners
As someone who's a sucker for a good sunset, I'll of course be buying this dreamy ombre version from John Lewis. To style with a swimsuit on vacay (as seen here) and with a white shirt and ballet flats for an upcoming city break.
www.accessorize.com
Whether you're happy to flash your pants, or you choose to wear a longer shirt underneath, a sheer sarong is still a yes when it comes to city dressing.
www.the87london.com
Founded by graphic artist Zoë Zimmer in 2023, The 87 is a little London label focusing on sarongs. And what I love most about the designs is that you can buy them in sets – you get a big scarf, a smaller one and even a matching scrunchie. With so many different ways to style them, there's a handy 'how to tie' section online so you can create tonnes of outfits.
Harriet Davey is a freelance fashion editor and stylist, contributing to many titles including Vogue, Stylist, Glamour, Who What Wear and of course, Grazia. Always finding high street buys that look expensive, and the designer items to elevate them further, she’s constantly on the lookout for lesser-known brands and mini street style trends. This, and searching for her next holiday destination where she’ll be showing them off on Instagram at @harriet.davey, along with travel tips on TikTok @harriet.davey.