How to Put on a Loincloth: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

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1Choosing Materials

2Getting Dressed in Your Loincloth

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Tips and Warnings

Things You'll Need

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Article Summary

Co-authored bywikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 20, 2022

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A loincloth is a one-piece garment, sometimes kept in place by a belt. It can serve as an undergarment or as the sole article of clothing worn in societies where no other clothing is needed or wanted. Gandhi wore a dhoti, a Hindu loincloth, as a way of identifying with the poorest Indians, even though he knew it could be taken as a sign of primitiveness. After reading through this tutorial, you too will be able to wear a loincloth properly.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Choosing Materials

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  1. 1

    Use leather for a comfortable and durable loincloth. Leather is a common material used in most loincloths. Try using leather for a more durable and traditional loincloth. However, leather can be quite warm and is not a very breathable material. Certain leathers can be bought in bulk at various fabric or textile supply stores.

    • Try using deerskin leather for a comfortable and durable loincloth. You can purchase pre-cut leather loincloths at online retailers, like etsy.
    • You will ultimately want a piece of leather that is at least 6 feet long and one foot wide in order to get the best wrap possible.
  2. 2

    Try using cotton or other breathable material. Cotton is perhaps a more conventional option as it allows for both comfort and affordability. Cotton is also a flexible material that might make tying your first loincloths a bit easier than a stiffer material like leather. Find cotton that you like in bulk at a fabric supply store near you.

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  3. 3

    Consult traditional loincloth materials and styles for variation. There are many online resources dedicated to loincloth traditions and cultures. Consult these resources to understand which materials might be best, or most traditional, to use for making your loincloth. Many traditional loincloths are also defined by their patterns, treatment, and source.[1]

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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Getting Dressed in Your Loincloth

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  1. 1

    Measure your material. You’ll need a material that is 10 inches (25.4cm) wide and 10 to 12 feet (3.0 to 3.7m) long to make your loin cloth. You can ask your vendor to measure your material for you, or you can measure it yourself with a tape measure at home.

  2. 2

    Determine the length of your front flap. Hold up one end in front with your non-dominant hand; the distance it falls determines the length of the front flap. You can decide on any length, some prefer it extend to the floor, others prefer is extend down to the knee.

  3. 3

    Begin to thread the loin cloth. Use your dominant hand to thread the rest of the material, the material that is not held is your non-dominant hand, through your legs to your back. Bring it up from back to front, then from right to left around your waist.

  4. 4

    Continue wrapping the cloth around your waist. When you reach your back, double the material over and pass it under the cloth that comes between your legs. A 3-yard piece of fabric should be able to loop at least two times.

  5. 5

    Tie your loincloth around your back. Once you’ve wrapped yourself, double the slack end over and begin to pass it under the material that is already in between your legs and around your waist. You should be forming a little pouch on top of your wrapped waist, or belt.

  6. 6

    Pull the slack through. Pull the slack all the way through the material wrapped around your waist. There will be a little "tail" of cloth in the back, but otherwise your loincloth should feel well-wound and secure.

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  • Question

    I it okay to wear a loincloth in public?

    How to Put on a Loincloth: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (14)

    Community Answer

    If you're wearing underwear underneath it, it's probably "okay" technically, but people will definitely stare at you. If you're talking about wearing it to a cosplay event or something like that, then it's fine.

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  • Question

    Is wearing a loincloth comfortable for men?

    How to Put on a Loincloth: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (15)

    Community Answer

    It could be, as long as the wearer has no scruples about being so scantily clad.

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    Thank you for your feedback.
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  • Question

    It's not clear to me. Is it made of just a plain long strip of cloth? How do I do the apron at the back?

    How to Put on a Loincloth: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (16)

    Community Answer

    Yes, a loincloth is generally one large strip of fabric or material that is wrapped around your waist until secure. The apron in the back should be able to be formed once you have measure the front apron of the loincloth and then wrapped the loincloth until secure. Make sure you have a long enough piece of material to have slack left over, then slide it up and through the wrap on your back, pull it through the top, and let it hang down the back of your legs.

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      Warnings

      • Make sure the fabric doesn't feel itchy! Some can be very uncomfortable.

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      • Practice makes perfect, so if you're going to be wearing a loincloth for an upcoming occasion, try putting it on several days ahead of time just to make sure you can do it.

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      Things You'll Need

      • A strip of material about 10 inches (25.4cm) wide and 10 to 12 feet (3.0 to 3.7m) long

      About This Article

      How to Put on a Loincloth: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (29)

      Co-authored by:

      wikiHow Staff Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 232,390 times.

      137 votes - 69%

      Co-authors: 15

      Updated: September 20, 2022

      Views:232,390

      Categories: Undergarments

      Article SummaryX

      Loincloths are held up by a belt and are meant to be worn alone. To put on a loincloth, start by holding a portion of your material in your non-dominant hand in front of you at the length you want your front flap to be. Run the rest of your material through your legs, going from back to front, and right to left around your waist. When you reach your back, double the material over and pass it under the cloth that runs between your legs. Once you’ve finished wrapping the material, double the loose end and pass it under the cloth that runs between your legs and around your waist to create a pouch. You’ll need a piece of material around 10 feet long and 10 inches wide to successfully tie a loincloth. For tips on which materials to choose for your loincloth, keep reading!

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      How to Put on a Loincloth: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      How do you put on a loincloth? ›

      But not everyone may know how to wear it correctly. To put it on easily, you need to open the loincloth and position it behind you at the hips. Then you must close it in front of you. After joining the left end with the right end, tie it in the back with strings.

      What is a female loincloth? ›

      A loincloth is a one-piece garment, either wrapped around itself or kept in place by a belt. It covers the genitals and, at least partially, the buttocks. Loincloths which are held up by belts or strings are specifically known as breechcloth or breechclout. Often, the flaps hang down in front and back.

      What does a loincloth look like? ›

      loincloth, usually, a rectangular piece of cloth draped around the hips and groin. One of the earliest forms of clothing, it is derived, perhaps, from a narrow band around the waist from which amuletic and decorative pendants were hung.

      What is the purpose of loincloth? ›

      A loincloth is a piece of cloth sometimes worn by men in order to cover their genitals, especially in countries when it is too hot to wear anything else.

      Does Tarzan wear loincloth? ›

      The loincloth has been a fixture in the multiple film and TV appearances by Tarzan since 1918.

      How do you tie a Langoti? ›

      Knot the strings slightly towards one side of your hips, rather than in the center of your body – this will make the langot a little more comfortable once it's tied. Then, pull the strings tight and then tie a bow, as if you were tying a pair of shoelaces. This will secure the langot. You can also tie a square knot.

      How do you fashion a loin cloth? ›

      Tie your loincloth around your back.

      Once you've wrapped yourself, double the slack end over and begin to pass it under the material that is already in between your legs and around your waist. You should be forming a little pouch on top of your wrapped waist, or belt.

      Why did men wear loincloths? ›

      This loincloth was a form of protection for laborers and for athletes, but was probably not regularly worn by Roman men under their tunics or togas. The subligaculum was closer to our idea of a jock strap.

      How big is a loincloth? ›

      The climate of Central and South America was so warm that sometimes a loincloth was the only garment men would wear. The loincloths worn in each empire ranged from simple and plain to beautifully decorated garments. Mayans called the loincloth an ex and made it out of an eight-to ten-foot length of cotton cloth.

      How do you wear a breechclout? ›

      Native American men traditionally wear breechcloths (or breechclouts) alone or with Leggins. A Breechcloth goes between the legs. The front and back are draped over a belt or Leather Lacing tie. Men can wear them plain or decorate them with Brooches, Beadwork or ribbon work.

      What is loincloth Filipino? ›

      Bahag is a loincloth that was commonly used by men throughout the pre-colonial Philippines. They were either made from barkcloth or from hand-woven textiles. Before the colonial period, bahag were a common garment for commoners and the serf class (the alipin caste).

      What is an Indian loincloth called? ›

      dhoti, long loincloth traditionally worn in southern Asia by Hindu men. Wrapped around the hips and thighs with one end brought between the legs and tucked into the waistband, the dhoti resembles baggy, knee- length trousers.

      How is a breechcloth worn? ›

      Breechclout or Breechcloth

      A breechclout, called “adhozoan”, is a strip of fabric or deerskin that goes between the legs and is held in place by a belt tied around the waist. The breechclout might be compared to modern-day shorts, underwear, or bathing suit. This boy's breechclout is made of wool.

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