Wrapped in History: The Cultural Power of the Sarong

At EKOE, we didn’t pick the sarong by accident. We chose it because it holds meaning. It’s one of the most versatile garments on the planet and one of the most culturally rich.

A Legacy Woven Across Continents

The word "sarong" comes from the Malay word sarung, meaning "to cover" or "to sheath." Traditionally, sarongs are large pieces of fabric wrapped around the waist or body. They’ve been worn for centuries across Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines but similar garments exist in India, Sri Lanka, Africa, and the Pacific Islands too.

In many of these cultures, sarongs are everyday essentials, worn by men and women alike. They can be casual, ceremonial, religious, or celebratory. Some are dyed with intricate batik patterns, others handwoven with heritage threads. But all are connected by their functionality, comfort, and expression of identity.

The Sarong as Quiet Resistance

During the colonial era, sarongs were often looked down on by European rulers who promoted Western-style dress as a marker of modernity. But people kept wearing their sarongs not just for comfort, but as a quiet act of resistance. Choosing traditional dress became a way to preserve dignity, culture, and pride. Today, that story still holds. The sarong is more than a wrap. It connects generations — a symbol of adaptability, beauty, and quiet strength.

What Does the Sarong Mean to EKOE?

At EKOE, we’ve reimagined this timeless piece for the modern sun-lover.
Our plastic-free UPF50+ sarongs are made from bamboo-based fabric, dyed in vibrant, rich colours that not only look beautiful they naturally block UV. They’re light, breathable, skin-safe, and made to last.

We chose to launch EKOE with sarongs because they carry everything we believe in:
versatility, tradition, freedom, and care.
It’s one of the few garments in the world that works for everybody, every age, every skin tone.