Quick Answer
You can tie a pareo five simple ways: as a classic side-tie skirt, a strapless dress, a halter dress, a high-waist skirt, or a crop top. Each style takes under a minute once you know the knot sequence.
Why Pareo Fabric Matters for Tying
The fabric of your pareo affects how well knots hold and how the drape falls. Cotton pareos, like the Huit Sunkissed or Lahaina models, have a bit of grip and weight, so knots stay secure without constant retying. Silk-blend pareos, such as the Summer Days, are lighter and more slippery, which can cause knots to loosen over time. For silk styles, double-knotting or choosing a wrap that uses multiple ties (like the halter dress) gives you more security.
A pareo that is roughly 55–60 inches wide and 45–50 inches long works for most tying styles. If your pareo is smaller, skip the full-dress wraps and stick to the side-tie skirt or crop top.
5 Pareo Tying Styles Step by Step
- Classic Side-Tie Skirt: Hold the pareo behind you at waist height, wrap the longer end around your waist, and tie the two top corners in a knot on one hip. Tuck the loose ends under or let them hang. Common mistake: tying the knot too loosely so it slips when you walk. Pull the knot tight and check it before you move. This style works with any pareo size and is the most secure for active beach days.
- Strapless Dress: Hold the pareo behind your back at chest height, bring both ends to the front, cross them over your chest, and tie at the center. Then gather the bottom edge, bring it up between your legs, and tie it to the back knot. Common mistake: leaving the top edge too loose so the dress gapes. Make sure the fabric is snug across your chest before tying the back knot. Best for pareos that are at least 55 inches wide so the fabric covers fully.
- Halter Dress: Fold the pareo diagonally into a triangle. Hold the long edge across your chest, bring the two top points behind your neck, and tie them. Then take the bottom point, bring it up between your legs, and tie it to the back knot at your waist. Common mistake: the neck ties are too short to knot comfortably. Leave extra length when you bring them behind your neck. The halter style works well for silk-blend pareos because the double tie at the neck and waist adds security.
- High-Waist Skirt: Fold the pareo in half lengthwise. Hold it behind you at your natural waist, wrap the ends to the front, cross them, and tie at your side. The double layer gives more coverage and a structured silhouette. Common mistake: folding the pareo too narrow so the skirt is short. Keep the fold at least 20 inches deep for a modest length. This style is ideal for pareos with bold patterns because the double layer shows off the print on both sides.
- Crop Top: Fold the pareo into a wide band about 10 inches deep. Wrap it around your back and bring the ends to the front. Tie them in a knot at center front, then tuck the loose ends under the band. Common mistake: the band is too narrow and rolls up. Use a 10- to 12-inch fold so the top stays in place. Pair this with high-waisted bottoms for a two-piece beach look that uses just one pareo.
Pareos That Make Tying Easy
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Huit - Sunkissed - Pareo: Made in Italy from 100% cotton, soft and light, with quick-dry ability. Cotton's natural grip helps knots stay put, and quick-dry fabric means you can wrap it right after a swim without feeling soggy.
Huit - Sunkissed - Pareo
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Huit - Lahaina - Pareo: 100% cotton pareo, breathable texture that drapes elegantly. The breathable weave keeps you cool on hot sand, and the fabric's slight weight makes it ideal for the classic side-tie skirt style.
Huit - Lahaina - Pareo
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Huit - Summer Days - Pareo: Silk blend pareo with multicolored patterns, lightweight and elegant. The silk drape gives a dressier look for beachside lunches, but the slipperier fabric means you should double-knot or choose a wrap that uses two ties for security.
