I own four sarongs. Three of them (including the one pictured above) are wraps purchased from OneWorld.com. They also carry some that are 82" x 48" including a plain black one. I dig my wraps and use them around the house or in camp, but the size is not really adequate for me. While 44" is enough to hang and roll the way one traditionally ties a sarong, the length of 66" does not give me enough to do a proper pleat in the front and so the garment has a tendency to gap. Thus, I recommend buying a real men's sarong or making one.

Flat sarongs are simply big rectangles of fabric, usually a very light cotton. These are what guys in southern India, Burma and other parts of southern Asia wear. They may be as large as 5'x7'.
For instructions on how to wrap and pleat a flat sarong, see this page. Or read below.

Tube-shaped sarongs are a specialty of Indonesia and are still widely worn there, even with a suit and tie. They are perhaps easier to wear without worry of gaping. From what I have seen, typical measurements may be 51" length by 83" circumference. The finished look, once you have one on, is not unlike Japanese Hakama (the split-skirt of the Samurai).
For instructions on how to wrap a tube sarong, see this page. Or read below.

Indonesian sarongs are classics. The patterns worn by men, called pelicat, are usually sedate, checkerboard weaves of batik-dyed cotton, though a few do come in floral prints. You can buy Indonesian tube sarongs online. Like the wraps, they are very cheap - usually under $20. One site that sells Indonesian sarongs is Red Treasure Box.com

Here's an interesting article I found about Indonesian sarongs.

Making your own:
By now you're probably thinking, "Why the heck don't I just make one? It's just fabric after all."
No reason not to. The advantages are pretty obvious; choice of fabric, custom sizing, potentially cheaper. In general, you will want to find a very light/thin cotton fabric. If you use a thick fabric, you may have difficulty rolling and folding it and end up with an awkward-looking lump at your belt line. As for sewing, all that is needed is some simple hemming or surging of the raw edges. Plus one seam if you want a tube sarong. If you don't sew, just get someone who does to hem the raw edges. Before sewing, wash the fabric in warm or hot water to remove any sizing and allow natural shrinkage to occur. Experiment and have fun!

Because, all too often, I see special interest web pages like these disappear from the web, I have "liberated" my favorite tyeing instructions and re-formatted them here. Be sure to visit the sites listed above, too.

NOTE: All sarong wraps end with folding or rolling the top portion around your waist to form a tight waistband. To do this well, it is usually best to suck in your gut a little, though not too much or else you will be uncomfortable when you are done wrapping and can't breathe!

Also, try to fold, rather than roll the fabric - it will look better and offer more friction to keep you from coming undone. Even so, no matter how you wrap a sarong, it will tend to loosen over time. All you really need to do is refold and tighten it again...say...the next time you visit the bathroom. Alternately, you can wear a narrow belt hidden under the waistband. This is a common practice for people concerned about accidental "free shows" in public. It also gives you something to hang your key chain from.

Basic Flat Sarong Wrap:

Step 1: Hold the sarong straight behind you. No folds. Keep the left end in your left hand.

Step 2: Fold your left hand towards your right hip. Keep the sarong straight.

Step 3: Fold your right hand towards your left.

Step 4: Fold the remaining fabric in zig-zag fashion at the front. Make the folds progressively narrower. This will form a column of layered pleats. The finished look is very dashing.

Tube Sarong Wrap:

Here is a single fold-over technique similar to the flat sarong wrap above.

Step 1: Step into the sarong. Hold the top open at waist level or as high as the sternum, depending on how much fabric you want for folding your waistband or how low to the ground you want the sarong to hang.


Step 2: Holding your stomach in a little, pull the sarong tight against the left side of your body, and stretch the fabric out away from your right side.


Step 3: Use your left hand to form a fold point at your right side, then draw the excess cloth back across the torso. Pull it tightly. You should feel it gripping you across the back and front.


Step 4: Bring the folded fabric across to your left hip. Hold it snuggly against your body. Now you're ready to fold your waistline.

Here is a double-fold technique for a tube sarong.
This is the method that results in a more formal, hakama-like look.

Step 1: To wrap this way, pinch the sarong at both ends pulling them outward so that the excess fabric is equal on each side of your body and high on your waist - possibly just under the sternum.

Step 2: Next, fold the right end over, while sucking in your stomach a bit.

Step 3: While holding the first fold closed, fold the left side back over the first fold towards your right hip.

Step 4: Grip the top 4" or so of the fabric at your waistline and fold it downward to form the waistband. Repeat as desired. The advantage of this style of wrap is that the opposing fabric layers pull in opposite directions resulting additional friction to hold everything firmly in place.