Most Common Sarong Colors of Southeast Asia

People the world over wear sarongs, but the color varieties of Southeast Asia are unique. The sarongs worn by women in the countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Bali feature some of the most vibrant, exquisite color variations in the world, most of which have been handcrafted using traditional methods of fabrication and dyeing. With such vast natural resources, the common colors of these garments are quite vast.

In the Indonesian culture, sarongs have existed for generations. Ikat and batik dyeing methods are heavily practiced here and the saturated shades of the intricate designs are well-known around the globe. The mix of many colors within one garment makes the wraps made in Indonesia especially unique. Although some urban Indonesian centers use synthetic fabrics and dyes, much of the garment-making is done with traditional methods that have been passed down through the family. Typically, Indonesian artisans created their color palette using two main elements: indigo and morida. The colors achieved from blending these two colors were quite extensive. However, modern artisans are able to produce an even larger range of shades using a wider array of local plants, animals, and minerals. Everything from deep purple to hot pink, turquoise to bright white are seen in the garments of the Indonesian people.

The sarong of the Malaysian culture is quite similar to that of the Indonesian people. Instead of a length of fabric that is wrapped and tied at the waist, the malong is a tube shaped garment that is fastened at the waist. Vivid and bright colors are highly valued in the Malaysian culture. As a result, the malong garments feature saturated shades of the entire color spectrum with yellow being a predominant color within Malaysian textiles. Since the textile industry of Malaysia relies on industrialized and traditional methods alike, the range of colors seen in the malong garments is vast and highly dependent on the textile source.

On the island of Bali, the ceremonial sarongs known as songkets are set above the rest. Artisans achieve this special status by including a delicate shade of gold thread into the weaving process. The metallic color when added to the normal color palette of reds, oranges, and blues creates a unique appearance that is reserved for religious and ceremonial purposes.

To learn more about sarongs and how they are made, visit the extensive amount of information on the topic at fairwindssarongs.com.