Sarong or So Wrong?

[Cowher]

This sarong is in a tartan looking cloth. Perhaps we can think of it as a long kilt?

[O'Callaghan]

I wore sarongs a bit before I started wearing kilts.

They are certainly unisex, although apparently in Indonesia the men's sarongs are chequered and the patterns represent the wearer's house. Sound much like clan tartans? The women seem to get to wear any colourful pattern they fancy.

However, in the West any design goes on sarongs for either gender. Sarongs with celtic knot patterns are readily available, and I have worn them, even though I doubt that they resemble anything worn by our celtic forebears.

I was forever tripping over the hem of my sarong, so that I was always shortening them, or rather tearing off the damaged part, LOL! Maybe that's because they were all one size and I am a bit vertically challenged. Knee length is more my style, as even if a kilt may look long on me to some, at least I can't trip over it!

As for the heat, you can get kilts in light weights and in cooler fabrics, or just with fewer pleats if you don't like those options.

There's also the issue of a sarong being a non-tailored garment, and so automatically informal. I have only once even seen a woman wear a sarong on a city street, and never a man, and I think that's the reason, although I'm sure you would see this in parts of Asia.

[McElmurry]

I just keep having this recurring daydream of actually getting to know all of you, and having access to your amazing talents and experiences. Of each of you getting how improbable it is that the universe has managed to such a blend as your own fine selves. Talk about quality distilling! Have fun, people. It's not gonna go on tour PERMANENT RECORD that you enjoyed something or learned something new or expanded your horizons ever so slightly.

I once thought this way but now I have conformed:

About a year ago I came across an article about two women in their late twenties who had recently reverted to wearing the traditional dress of their homeland. They were in the US southwest where they and their parents had blended in adopting US clothing customs. After graduating from college the two sisters decide to revert to the dress of their grandmothers. I felt it was a nice article about folks with the confidence to go against the norm and that it would be an inspiration for those considering the kilt so I linked the article here. But alas the thread was reported and sent away because this site is about kilts.

I was a little shocked at first partially because I did not realize how much I had changed in the years I have lived in California. I now think of multiculturalism in terms of a Salad Bowl not a Melting Pot and I like my salad ingredients discernable from each other not all mashed together. But if it is not OK to talk about chickpeas here then it is not OK to talk about Gado gado.

So if I want to talk about my 1969 Ford truck I go to Fordification.com and if I want to talk about Irish politics (and really expand my horizons) I go to Politics.ie, and if I want to talk about the kilt I come to Xmarksthescot.com. Simples.

[McClef]

As tripleblessed has commented - this thread is not related to kilts and is therefore being moved to miscellaneous.

[Woodsheal]

When I picture men in sarongs, the image that keeps popping up in my mind is those poor blighters in the movie "King Rat"...!

[James Hood]

Ha! 'Sitting here in midwest USA summer heat and humidity in a tied pareo (Tahitian vaerion of a sarong) and it is tres comfortable and minimal.

Personal feelings on this subject are two.
(1) "Normal" is not enough

(2) Variety is way too underrated

[triolamj]

The reason I now own 3 kilts is because I owned 2 sarongs. I traded for one from Indonesia and bought one from Dallas back when I was an active Hasher (see other threads) and decided I might like a kilt for cooler weather apres-Hash. Since hashing is a notoriously dirty and wet enterprise I put off getting a nice kilt (this was pre-Utilikilt). I stopped hashing and later became a volunteer at the local Highland Games and eventually had a kilt made, bought a working kilt, and bought a formal kilt (I like Burns but I love haggis). Occasionally I wear the sarongs around the house during the cold months in lieu of pants. Recently I purchased a brightly hued LAVA-LAVA at the local Alohafest as an addition to my wardrobe. I was hoping someone on XMarks would know how I can put it together without looking a twit, LOL.

[triolamj]

One last word: Back when I was hashing and before the "kilt towels" came out I had an item on my wishlist: a Christmas hash kilt sarong. I wanted a sarong printed with a green with red and white plaid (tartan) with the hash run logo down one side and with velcro tabs at the waist on either side to pleat it to fit. Now I'd like one with a sporran printed on the front, LOL, like the green version of the kilt towels! Shona Nollaig!

[CopperNGold]

I think the more a person gets out of his own back yard, sees a bit of the world and learns more about other cultures, the more they are willing to accept different modes of dress. A sarong or pareo is normal male attire in many parts of the world. It takes an extremely insulated man (or woman) to be threatened by a bit of cloth. Wear them in good health, fellas!

[Laird_M]

Don't know how I missed this thread...

I have 4 sarongs - 1 evening wear and three3 casual and aside from the 'formal' one, they all get regular use. Especially now I have the slight overhang to keep them up properly.

I wore them pretty often in Sri Lanka and the locals accepted it with no issues.
In warm weather, I wear them around the house, especially when we have guests around for a curry evening - the wife is Sinhalese after all.

I do find them a bit more restrictive than a kilt, but just as comfortable.