If the cash till rings once for a bikini or swimsuit this summer, it's almost guaranteed that it will ring twice with the sale of a matching sarong, pareo or sheer kaftan.
 We've learned to cover up on the beach, as much for modesty's sake as for some, but not total protection, against the damaging effects of the sun.And the fashion world has become more inventive with its marketing and taken an indigenous primitive garment to the highest fashion heights. Time was if you wanted a sarong you waited until you were on a tropical holiday to buy one. Because, as the dictionary points out, a sarong is a "loose skirt in bright fabric worn by both men and women in Malaysia, Indonesia and The Pacific Islands," you can imagine the typical flora and fauna designs. A pareo on the other hand is a "Polynesian rectangular piece of cloth worn as a wraparound skirt." The same thing surely? Mmmm. But slightly larger, wider, deeper and presenting all sorts of interesting ways to tie it around the body because of those extra few inches. And because of its Polynesian roots, batik prints of large and lush tropical flowers are favoured in the designs. This is the world that 19th Century artist Paul Gaugin so cleverly depicted and which remained totally unchanged in its dress mode and styling well before and after his arrival, firstly on Tahiti then Hiva Oa, where he quite simply painted paradise. Some of the modern textile designs often mirror his primitive forms, to dramatic effect. But back to the identity crisis. Is it a sarong? Is it a pareo? Can it be answered by our favourite Newcastle-based swimwear departments at John Lewis and Fenwick?
 Interestingly, they say the same thing. Sarongs and pareos are much the same. A pareo seems to be a more modern marketing term, slightly more exotic sounding and therefore more appealing, but it's basically just a larger sarong. But they both say that sarong/pareos - call them what you like - have been a sell-out line with just about every swimwear sale including an accompanying cover-up. Not bad for a simple rectangle of fabric. Manufacturers have created a money-spinner with this in terms of make-up costs and production. Cut and hem - it's that simple. Kaftans are also high on the resort wardrobe list, and there are an abundant number of sheer styles on offer from the high street multiples to designer ranges (particularly at www.sexykaftans.com). But it's the sarong or pareo that scores big points overall for multiplicity of use. They work as a skirt, or a dress; tied above the bust, or in a criss-cross at the front and around the back of the neck for a halter neck; or as a shawl; or as a beach mat, and when you get home a tablecloth or even a curtain or wall hanging! It's a matter of personal choice, but a matching pareo/sarong for the swimsuit looks rather sophisticated. A toning print to match a base colour of the bikini works equally well. A contrast shade can work with other accessories like jewellery, a hair band or a beach bag. Truly authentic Polynesian prints, although beautiful in themselves, require a graphic update to look `now', so go abstract batik to get the best of both worlds. Just for fun check out different methods for tying the pareo/sarong. Take a look at US websites www.pareoisland.com and www.tropicalhulahut.com, where you can learn to impress your friends tying the sophisticated `bubble' knot, which offers a greater degree of modesty than a straight knot. It's a simple but intricate piece of fashion that according to retail sales figures we cannot, and will not, do without. | 
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