How to Tie a Turkish Towel as a Sarong or Wrap

You're out of the water and the snack bar is a short walk up the sand. You don't need a cover-up. You already have a towel that can do the job. Learning how to tie a Turkish towel as a sarong takes about a minute, and once you've got it, you'll do it without thinking. Below are three easy ways to wear one, plus a fourth for when you want full coverage, with steps that work on a flat-woven 40 × 70 Rag.

By Salt Rag · October 10, 2026

Before you start: a 40 × 70 Rag and how fit varies

Every Rag measures 40 × 70 inches open, about 102 × 178 cm. (40 × 70 explains what that size means in practice.) For wrapping, the 70-inch length is what goes around you, and the 40-inch width sets how long the wrap falls.

A few things to know first:

• Fit varies by person. The same Rag can be a long skirt on one person and a short one on another. Adjust the folds as you go. There's no wrong length.
• Flat weave helps. A Rag is woven flat, not built from thick terry loops, so there's less bulk to deal with at the knot or the roll.
• Fringe goes at the ends. The knotted fringe is on the two short ends. In most of the wraps below, those ends meet at the front or side where you tie.

The hip sarong: how to tie a Turkish towel as a sarong

This is the classic. It works best when you're mostly dry and want something to walk around in.

1. Hold it behind you. Take the Rag lengthwise, with the long edge horizontal, and hold it across your lower back at hip height. For a shorter sarong, fold the top edge down a few inches first.
2. Wrap one side across. Bring your right hand around to the front and across to your left hip. Hold it there.
3. Overlap. Bring the left side around on top so it covers the first layer.
4. Roll the top. Grab the top edge of both layers at the front and roll it down two or three turns. The roll works like a waistband and holds the wrap without a knot.
5. Check it. Walk a few steps. If it slips, unroll and roll again a little tighter, or fold more of the top down before you start.

The roll-top is the cleanest version. There's no knot to undo with wet fingers, and it comes off in one pull when you're ready to swim again.

The side-knot wrap

If the roll-top doesn't feel secure, tie it. This one is a little more relaxed and shows off more of the pattern.

1. Hold it behind you at hip height, lengthwise, as before.
2. Bring both ends forward to one hip, so the two short ends meet at your side.
3. Take the top corners of each end and tie them in a simple double knot at the hip.
4. Let the rest hang. The fringe and the lower part of the ends fall loose at the side for a slit-skirt look.

To move the slit to the front, tie the knot at your belly button instead. For a looser wrap, tie the corners further out so there's more cloth in the knot.

Over the shoulders after a swim

This is the simplest wrap and probably the one you'll use most. It's for the minute after you climb out, sitting on the dock or the edge of the boat.

1. Open the Rag fully and hold it lengthwise behind you.
2. Pull it over your shoulders like a cape, with the long edge across your upper back.
3. Cross the ends in front and hold them, or tuck one end under the other at your chest.
4. Sit down and settle in. Pull the lower edge around your knees if you want more coverage.

Bonus: the full-length tuck

When you want more coverage, wear it high.

1. Wrap it under your arms, lengthwise, starting at one side.
2. Pull it snug around your back and across your chest.
3. Tuck the last corner firmly into the top edge under your arm. For a better hold, roll the top edge over once before you tuck.

It's the same idea as wrapping a bath towel after a shower, just in a flatter, lighter cloth.

Keeping fringe and pattern where you want them

A wrap is a chance to show off the pattern, so think about which part of the Rag ends up where:

• Stripes running across the body look tidy in a sarong. Stripes running up and down look longer and leaner. Turn the Rag to try both.
• Fringe at the side or front makes a nice finish. If it's catching on chairs or bag straps, fold the end under before you tie.
• Choose your outside face. Look at both sides before you wrap. Put the side you like best on the outside.

What a wrap is and isn't

A Rag is a light cotton layer. It's great for walking up the beach, sitting on the dock or grabbing lunch at a place that wants a little more than swimwear. It is not a substitute for warm clothing or sun-protective equipment, and we do not claim a UPF rating. For more everyday ways to use one, see After the water.

Frequently asked questions

Will it stay up while I walk? The roll-top usually holds for walking around. If it slips, roll it tighter or use the side knot instead.

Do I need a special sarong-sized towel? No. At 40 × 70 inches, a Rag is a full-size towel with plenty of cloth to work with. How it fits depends on the person, so adjust the fold for length.

Can I wear it wet? Yes, though a damp wrap is heavier and clings more. Many people towel off first and then wrap.

Pick a pattern you'll want to wear

When your towel doubles as something you wear, pick a pattern you like seeing on yourself. The Ahi Rag (Black), charcoal with subtle multicolor flecks, goes with everything in a swim bag. The Tidemark Rag (Yellow), warm yellow stripes on a cream base, makes a great sarong. Want one to wear and one to lie on? A Rag Stack mixes colors at 2 for $55. Questions about size or the cloth are answered in the FAQ.

Shop the Rags · Build a stack

Keep reading

• After the water
• 40 × 70
• Read the Rag

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