Photo credits: @stephstillsomewhere
Lauren here! 🦀
As the founder of Buffalo who lives in Sri Lanka, I genuinely live in our sarongs.
They’re light, breathable, have funky nature-inspired prints, and are endlessly useful. I wear them over swimwear, with basics, tied as tops, clipped at the side, or thrown into a bag to use as a beach towel. They’re one of those rare pieces that look effortless, but are also genuinely practical. People always compliment me on them, and they sell quickly across the 27 stores we stock here on the island.
History of Sarongs
Sarongs have been worn across South and Southeast Asia for centuries, with the name thought to come from the Malay word sarung — meaning “to cover” or “to sheath.” The term (and the garment itself) travelled through Indian Ocean trade routes, moving between coastal communities and port cities to places like Sri Lanka, where it became part of everyday dress in the tropical heat. Before they became a beachwear trend in western cultures in the mid-1900s, they were — and still are — pieces with real cultural heritage, worn in daily life, ceremonies, and during major holidays in South Asian and South East Asian countries. You can learn more about the Sri Lankan sarong vs Lungi here.
Sarongs became beach staples around the mid-1900s, as designers in Hawaii (like Alfred Shaheen) and Italy (like Emilio Pucci’s resort wear circles) began adding them to their swimwear collections.
You might also hear them called pareos, especially in French or Polynesian-influenced beachwear. Different name, same idea: a versatile wrap — and one of the simplest ways to add print or colour to any warm‑weather outfit.
Buffalo Sarongs
Photo credits: @stephstillsomewhere and @krishnaramanivadali
Our beach sarongs are made from 100% lightweight cotton. We design them with our suppliers in Jaipur, who then hand-block print them and ship them across to Sri Lanka, where the final touches are added by our wonderful all-female team of tailors.
Shop our range of sarongs here.
1. The beach babe classic — with a bikini
This is the easiest way to wear a sarong, and probably the reason most of us pack one in the first place. Tie it around your waist or low on the hips over your bikini and you’ve instantly got a lightweight cover-up that still feels relaxed and beachy.
It’s perfect for walking from the sea to the sunbed, grabbing lunch by the beach, or throwing something on without feeling wrapped up in heavy fabric. The beauty of our cotton sarongs is that it gives coverage, dries quickly, and is so lightweight that you can stay cool in the heat.
photo credits: @smeggs_
photo credits: @lleoprint and @lilly_chakir_
photo credits: @veranordingphotography and @bethanycammack
2. As a Top
A sarong doesn’t have to stay around your waist. Fold it, wrap it, and tie it into a simple bandeau, halter, or one-shoulder top. This is one of my favourite ways to wear one when I want something fun and colourful, but still light enough for proper hot weather.
It’s also why sarongs are such clever holiday pieces: one rectangle of fabric can become a totally different outfit with just a different knot.
Photo credits: @alelapianawajsman pairs our Happy Red Sun Sarong with our Red Stripe Trousers
I love the flowy, bohemian edge a sarong gives when it’s worn this way. I paired this Green Gecko Sarong with my new favourite Yellow Stripe Trousers.
3. Pair with basics
The easiest way to make a bright sarong feel wearable is to pair it with wardrobe staples you already own. A plain white vest, simple black bikini top, linen shirt, or basic tee lets the colour and print do the work.
This is where a sarong moves beyond “beach cover-up” and becomes something you can actually style. It can sit with simple pieces in your summer wardrobe and still feel pulled together, without needing much thought.
Photo credits: @stephstillsomewhere and @krishnaramanivadali Paired with our Red Stripe Shirred Bandeau Top
Photo credits: @stephstillsomewhere and @krishnaramanivadali
A classic black crop top goes a long way with our Gecko Sarong.
Photo credits: @stephstillsomewhere and @krishnaramanivadali
You can’t go wrong with a crisp linen shirt.
Fold the sarong in half and pair it with a yoga top for a practical beach-to-workout outfit. Bonus tip: you can use the sarong as a yoga towel too.
Told you I live in these sarongs. My go-to outfit is a vest top, a folded sarong, and a pair of trusty Havaianas.
4. Use a claw clip
Claw clips are made for more than just hair. If you don’t want to tie a knot, use a claw clip to gather the fabric at the waist, shoulder, or side. It gives the sarong a softer drape and makes it really easy to adjust throughout the day.
This is especially useful when you want a more relaxed shape, or when you’re moving between the beach, the pool, and somewhere a little more dressed up.
Photo credits: @stephstillsomewhere and @krishnaramanivadali
A claw clip is the easiest way to create shape without overthinking it — just gather, clip, and adjust until it sits how you like.
Why I live in ours
For me, a good sarong is one of those rare pieces that is genuinely practical and still feels beautiful. It’s lightweight, colourful, easy to pack, and doesn’t take up space in your bag — but it can completely change how an outfit feels.
In Sri Lanka, I wear mine constantly because it makes sense for the climate: breathable, easy, and never fussy. For the summer holidays back in Europe and the Americas, it does the same job — it helps you feel dressed without feeling hot, restricted, or overdone.
That’s exactly what I wanted Buffalo sarongs to be: joyful, useful pieces that move easily from beach to lunch, pool to city, suitcase to everyday wardrobe.
Thanks for reading! Have a beautiful summer.
Lauren x