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Versatile sarongs and wrap dresses are always in style, but sometimes, these oh-so-simple summertime garments can get a little overpriced for the average girl's fashion budget. Rather than shelling out for what often amounts to a big fabric rectangle, a smart stylista can improvise her own dresses at a more manageable cost. Simply take a dress-length piece of your favorite fabric that is wide enough to wind twice around yourself and get ready to wrap.
Strike a Strapless Style
Hold the fabric behind your back, with the ends of the top edge in each hand and the bottom edge hanging. Pull both ends under your arms, to the front of your body. Hold one end against your front, just under your shoulder, and stretch out the other end, so that one side of the fabric extends farther than the other. Wrap the long side around your body twice. Once you've come back around to the front, tie the ends together to secure this strapless style.
Turn Out a Toga
To get this sassy style, hold the fabric behind your back again. Pull the ends to the front, under your arms, and adjust the fabric so that the opening is at one of your armpits. Pull the end that covers the front of your body up over the bust and shoulder on that side. Pull the opposite end tightly across your front, under your bust. Tie both ends together at the back of your body.
A Hot Halter
Tweak the basic strapless style to get yourself a flattering halter dress. Hold the rectangle of fabric behind your back, with an end in each hand, and pull the ends under your arms, to the front of your body. Adjust the ends so that the fabric opening is right in the center of your front. This time, cross the ends so that they overlap at your chest. Pull both ends behind your neck and knot them there to hold up this hot look.
Sexy Sari Style
Pick out a pair of stylin' shorts or leggings to go with an extra-wide rectangle of fabric. Once you've got your bottoms on, hold the fabric behind your back at waist level and pull one end to the front. Tuck this end into your waistband, then wrap the opposite end over it. Keep going around the body until you reach the front again, then toss the remaining fabric over your shoulder to complete that sari look.
