Get it on, bang the gong - Top 5 ways to wear a sarong!

Unless you've planned a trip to a sunny resort somewhere far, far away from London, you probably won't get much of a chance to show off the sarong skills I'm about to teach you. But if you do happen to be in the middle of packing your suitcase for a beach holiday, the single most important accessory is a sarong. 

Depending on your style, you can get a traditional batik sarong from Indonesia, a Tahitian pareo with bright flower patterns, an eye-catching kanga from Africa or an extra large scarf with a tie-dye or animal print. Here’s how to fold, wrap and tie this versatile garment so that you’ll look stylish during your beach holidays!

 

Beach skirt

The nonchalant beach wrap is probably the most famous way to wear a pareo. An elegant way to achieve this look is to fold the fabric into a triangle, place it around your waist and tie the long ends together above one hip. If you prefer an ankle length straight skirt, don’t fold the pareo before you wrap it around your body.

Maxi dress

You can easily turn your sarong into a sexy maxi dress. Tie two adjacent corners of the sarong behind your neck so that it drapes in front of you like a cowl neck. Grasp the edges of the sarong at hip height behind your back, forming two small bunches of fabric. Pull them to one side and double-knot the bunches so that the sarong is wrapped tightly around your hips.

Wrap Dress

This flattering knee-length dress looks good on every woman. To create a wrap dress, hold the sarong behind your back horizontally like a towel. Bring the left top corner in front of your body and hang it over your right shoulder. Wrap the right side of the sarong underneath your bust, around your back and to the right shoulder, where you tie it to the other end.

Bandeau or bandeau dress

If you fold the sarong into a wide strip, you can wrap it around your chest and tie it behind your back. If you prefer a bandeau dress, extend your pareo behind your back and tie the edges together against the bust so that the extra fabric cascades down.

Halter dress

This sophisticated cocktail dress is surprisingly simple to create. Start with extending the pareo behind your back just below you shoulder blades. Bring the top corners forward below your arms, cross the ends over your chest and tie them behind your neck. 

The options are endless. Just keep playing around until you've found a method that hides your weaknesses while emphasizing your best bits.

6 Cheap, Simple & Quick Beauty Tips for the Heat

Looking splendid in the sweltering heat – and in all your summer snapshots! – is easy this year. You don’t have to spend valuable beach time in front of the mirror and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune either. Just follow these simple make-up, hair and fashion tips and let the sun be your limelight!

1. Make-up:  less is more
The best way to avoid a make-up meltdown is to let your skin breathe. Steer clear of heavy foundation, concealer and powder. All you need is a lightweight moisturizer that will block UV rays and absorb oil. If you’re feeling a bit pale without make-up, you can use tinted sunscreen (the only one that doesn't give me spots is Vichy 50+ Capital Soleil Face Cream) or self-tanning moisturizer to give your skin a sun-kissed glow. Keep your lips natural or use a shiny gloss or balm with UV-filter.

2. Sunglasses: the wow-factor
Buy yourself a glamorous pair of sunglasses that really suit your face. This accessory should both make you look fabulous and protect your eyes by absorbing all UV rays and most HEV rays. If you have a heart-shaped or an oval face (like me), all frames will look good on you except for oversized ones such as aviator shades. Sunglasses with sculpted angles look best on people with round faces. Make sure the frame is at least the same width as your face. Oval and cat-eye frames tend to work best for people with an angular jaw (not me!) because the rounded edges soften the angular planes of your face. Personally, I swear by my Adidas Evil Eye glasses - great for skiing as well. 


3.  Eyes: go waterproof
Keep your eyes simple – after all, you will be wearing sunglasses most of the time! If you really want to use eye shadow, go for a neutral, soft shimmery product. Dark, smoky eyes can look extremely harsh in the summer and are more likely to smudge. To enhance your natural glow, you only need to emphasize your lashes. Waterproof mascara is a must at the beach, but it can dry out your lashes. Look for a moisturizing, stay-put mascara to prevent brittle lashes.

4.  Skin: wear self-tanning lotion and sunscreen
The most important summer skincare product is sunscreen. The higher the SPF, the better. Honestly, you don’t want your skin to age prematurely as the result of too much exposure to the sun. It’s much safer to get a tan from a bottle! Choose a quick-drying, streak-free tanning-lotion. Exfoliate your body and us a sheer moisturizer on dry areas such as your ankles, wrists, knees and elbows before you apply the tanning lotion.


5. Let your hair down, literally
The key to good summer hair is: don't try too hard. Wet it every morning, apply some leave-in conditioner and let it air-dry. Blow-driers, curling irons, straighteners and other styling products will only damage your sun-stressed hair. You’re ready to leave the house in a lot less time than usual and you’ll look amazing. If your hair is dyed blonde or has artificial highlights, you should protect it against and chlorine in swimming pools with a swimming cap (you don't have to go down the rubbery, sporty route, there are plenty of cute vintage options as well!) and against sunlight with a pretty hat.

6. Clothes: trust your instinct
Find a flattering bikini or swimming costume. If you are a bit self-conscious about your stomach, go for a one-piece swimsuit with tummy-control. Those who think they have short legs should avoid hipster bottoms and skirted bikinis. Instead, go for high-cut thighs. This cut will make your legs look longer. Don’t worry if this look draws attention to your hindquarters: the curvier your hips are, the smaller your waist looks.It’s also worth investing in a sarong or pareo, as it can easily be transformed into an elegant beach dress, nonchalant skirt or sexy top. For different ways to wrap, fold and knot your sarong or pareo, watch this space!

Deborah Brave Klaassen

I've been brave. Very brave indeed.

Those who know me well know all about my hairdresser-dramas, including:

* An overzealous intern that gave me layers to create more volume (what was she thinking?!?);

* An angry pro that took revenge after I hadn't seen him for a year, resulting in a fetching Coupe Frizz and

* A creep with a hair-cutting fetish at Amsterdam Central on a Friday night (don't remind me).

Yes, I've had my share of experiences that made me want to pull my hair out. Not to mention Freddie's recurring jokes (well, I hope they're jokes) about shaving one side of my head while I'm asleep!


Sadly, my tresses do need a trim every now and again. Although it can be quite a challenge to get it right behind my back, I've done it myself for the last 4 or 5 years.

Last weekend, though, I spotted some split ends and asked Freddie. Just like that. Hadn't thought about it, just asked. And he did. As I sat on the edge of the sofa and heard the scissors snip away behind my back, that horrible what-have-I-done-there's-no-way-back feeling overtook me. It helped me sit as still as I could, which, I guess, is a good thing. Comments like "hold on, I think it's a bit shorter now on this side" and "I hope this isn't too much" didn't help though.

All-in-all, he lopped off about 5 or 6 inches (rather than the requested 5 or 6 cm).

But guess what - I still have lots of hair left. And it looks good. It looks great, even.
Far better than it would be, had I done it myself.

So thank you, Freddie.

It helps as well that I've been using a new shampoo, conditioner and leave-in conditioner by Mixed Chicks. It's my best hair-discovery since Aussi Miracle Moist shampoo (just the shampoo - the conditioner is not that special. And the Miracle Frizz range doesn't really solve my frizz-problem either). There are other products that make my locks feel soft and bouncy, and there are other products that really define my curls (especially Tesco's Smooth Coconut Conditioner. It's a real shame they stopped selling it!). But as far as I can recall, Mixed Chicks is the only product range that makes my hair look and feel good at the same time - and the effect lasts for 3 days!

Deep Blue Connection

“There's a connection between us, I can feel it.”
The girl looks as Londonish as she sounds, which surprises me. I've been travelling by tube for over 10 years, and this is the first time a stranger addresses me. She meets my gaze, which quickly makes me look away. What to do in a case like this? Perhaps if I pretend I didn't hear her, she'll pretend she didn't say anything.
“Don't you feel it?” She's starting to sound belligerent now. “For starters, we're breathing the same air, even though there isn't much of it down here.”
I look around to see if she could be talking to someone else. Though luck. There are more people waiting for the tube, but she's standing very close to me, as if we belong together.
“We're waiting for the same train. Are you going to Shoreditch too?”
I am. Surprise surprise. I don't want to nod because I don't want her to be right. Perhaps I should wait for the next train to get rid of her.
“Just look at you. You're all resistance. Fighting everything that tries to come near you. What's wrong with you?”
“What's wrong with you?” I didn't mean to say that. I didn't mean to talk to her at all. But she knew what buttons to push.
She folds her arms and starts checking when the next train will arrive.
“Well?” I repeat. “Oh, that's great, so now you're ignoring me.”
She was. Totally. As if I wasn't there. As if she'd hadn't been talking to me in the first place. As if I'm the crazy one that start talking to strangers.
While the train rolls into the station, I fold my arms too and turn my back to her. This is too awkward. I'll wait for the next train.
The last passengers are leaving the platform when I notice she's still here. Fuck.
“How bizarre was that!”
I sigh. “What?”
“We both decided not to look at each other and wait for the next train, and now we're the only ones here!”
“You're joking.” My voice sounds as humorous as a thirsty vacuum cleaner.
“Am not. I told you...” She spreads her hands in front of her flowery skirt – my flowery skirt! The skirt I made myself! It's meant to be unique - I used grandma's curtains for it! I look down at my lap to confirm that I am wearing this specific skirt today. I am. And so is she! “I told you, we've got something in common.”