Parang Barong Batik

About this fabric

Parang is among the best known motifs of the Javanese courts: a repeating curved form set on a 45-degree diagonal, separated by a dotted band called mlinjon. The barong version uses the largest scale in the parang family, so the motif still reads clearly even on a short cut. Printed on fine 130 gsm cotton with a dense indigo ground and motif lines in raw-cotton cream.

Well suited to

• Long-sleeved shirts for formal occasions
• Unlined long coats and blazers
• Large decorative panels and cushion covers

Care

• Hand wash in cold water with lerak soap or a bleach-free detergent
• Do not soak for more than 15 minutes, or the indigo may bleed into the light areas
• Dry inside out in the shade, away from direct sun
• Iron on a medium setting from the reverse side

Specifications

About the motif

In the dress conventions of the Surakarta court, parang was once among the motifs whose use was governed by the wearer's standing, and barong was the largest of its sizes. Those rules no longer bind, but the diagonal arrangement is still chosen for the simple reason that it makes the wearer look taller.