How to Wear a Pareo Over Swimwear: 5 Simple Tie Styles
By Marlies Dekkers Lingerie & Swimwear | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Guias Práticos
Learn five practical ways to tie a pareo over your swimsuit — from a classic waist wrap to a halter dress — with checkpoints to avoid common mistakes.
Quick answer
To wear a pareo over swimwear, start with a square or rectangular pareo at least 100 cm wide. Hold it behind you at hip level, bring the top corners to the front, cross them once, and tie a double knot. Adjust the fabric so it sits on your hips, not your waist, for secure coverage. For a bandeau or halter, twist or tie at the neck. Always test movement before swimming.
Why pareo fabric and size matter for tying
A pareo ties well when the fabric is lightweight and has a bit of texture or stretch. Cotton voile, rayon, or a cotton-silk blend works because it holds a knot without slipping. Very slippery fabrics like silk charmeuse or nylon can come undone when wet. Size also matters: a pareo that is too small will not wrap fully around your hips or chest. Aim for at least 100 cm x 100 cm for a waist wrap, and larger if you want a halter dress. The Marlies Dekkers pareo measures approximately 100 cm x 100 cm, which is enough for a waist skirt, bandeau, or halter dress with careful tying. If you are taller or want more coverage, look for a pareo at least 120 cm wide. Check the product description for exact dimensions before buying, because a missing measurement is a real limitation you should not guess around.
How to prepare your swimsuit and pareo for tying
Before you tie anything, put on your swimsuit and adjust it so it sits where you want it. A plunge balcony bathing suit like the Marlies Dekkers style has wide shoulder straps and a plunge neckline, so the pareo should not cover the straps or the neckline if you want to show them. If you plan to wear the pareo as a bandeau, choose a swimsuit with a secure band or underwire so the pareo does not need to provide support. Then hold the pareo by two corners and let it hang. Shake it out so there are no twists. Fold it in half diagonally if you want a triangle shape for a waist wrap. For a halter dress, keep it open as a square. A common mistake is tying over a wet swimsuit without drying your hands first — wet hands make knots slip. Dry your hands and the pareo edges before tying.
5 pareo tie styles: step-by-step
- Classic waist wrap (skirt): Hold the pareo behind you at hip level. Bring the top corners to the front, cross them once, and tie a double knot. Tuck the loose ends under the wrap. Checkpoint: the knot should sit on your hip bone, not your waist, and you should be able to slide two fingers under the waistband. Common mistake: tying too high, which makes the wrap ride up when you walk. Best for poolside lounging and quick cover-ups.
- Bandeau top: Fold the pareo in half diagonally to make a triangle. Hold the triangle behind your back at chest level, bring the top corners to the front, cross them, and tie at the center of your back or front. Adjust so the fabric covers your bust without gaping. Checkpoint: raise your arms — the bandeau should stay in place. Common mistake: tying too loosely, which causes the fabric to slip down when you move. Works well over a strapless or plunge swimsuit, but not for swimming.
- Halter dress: Hold the pareo open behind your back at shoulder-blade height. Bring the top corners over your shoulders and tie them behind your neck. Let the rest of the fabric fall to your desired length. Checkpoint: the neck tie should be snug but not tight, and the front should hang evenly. Common mistake: tying the neck too high, which pulls the front up and exposes your swimsuit bottom. A quick dress for beach walks and casual meals.
- One-shoulder wrap: Hold the pareo behind you with one corner at your shoulder and the opposite corner at your hip. Bring both corners to the front and tie at your side waist. Adjust the fabric so one shoulder is covered and the other is bare. Checkpoint: the tie should sit at your natural waist and the fabric should not twist. Common mistake: tying too low, which makes the wrap look like a sack rather than a styled piece. Adds asymmetry and works with a one-shoulder swimsuit.
- Pareo tote: Lay the pareo flat. Fold it in half, then fold the sides toward the center to make a long rectangle. Tie the two top corners together to form one handle, then tie the two bottom corners together to form the other handle. Checkpoint: the handles should be even and the bag should hold a phone, sunscreen, and a small towel without stretching. Common mistake: tying the handles too long, which makes the bag drag on the ground. A clever way to carry essentials when you leave your beach bag at home.
Product facts that help you choose and tie
- pareo: The pareo is a multi-use design that can be wrapped around the waist as a skirt, twisted into a bandeau top, tied at the neck as a halter dress, or knotted into a tote. This means one piece covers several of the tie styles below, so you can pack lighter and still have options for the beach, pool, or a casual lunch.
- plunge balcony bathing suit: The plunge balcony bathing suit has wide shoulder straps, a plunge neckline, and is made from recycled fabric with glossy accents. Wide straps and a plunge front are best left visible, so tie your pareo at the hip or waist rather than over the bust to keep the suit's support and design intact.
- butterfly thong: The butterfly thong is made from black lace with recycled yarn and has a butterfly-shaped back. If you wear a thong under a pareo, choose a style with flat lace edges so it does not create ridges under the wrap; the butterfly back is decorative and works best when the pareo sits below it.
