Pareo, sarong, wrap: the whisper thin cotton beach cover-up has many names but it's the pareo's ability to turn a panicky bathing suit moment into pure beach chic that makes it a summer must have. I remember my first Hampton share house- a group of us headed to the beach the first afternoon and one of the girls, Italian and so chic, pulled out a patterned fabric scarf and artfully tied it around her tiny waist. She had brought several pareo's in her bag, one to tie around her long, dark hair, one to lay on, and one that I snatched and tried to tie as perfectly as she had around my swimsuit! With just a small twist and tuck of fabric, the pareo can be worn over a swimsuit as a casual dress, skirt or shawl-it's a summer essential I always bring with me to the beach. Here are a few of my summer favorites:
Pareo's from Roberta Freyman and Calypso
