With the
weather getting warmer every day, it’s time to start channeling the tropics
into your wardrobe. Whether you’re throwing a Tiki Party, having a picnic at
the beach, or going out for cocktails, vintage garb with an equatorial feel is
sure to be king again this summer. This
season designers from Dior, Versace, Marc Jacobs, and Stella McCartney are
going bold with tropical patterns, colors, and shapes to capture the summery
island feel.
Crystal Renn covers the May issue of Vogue Mexico in true pin-up style, wearing a tropical print dress from Salvatore Ferragamo’s spring collection.
Tropical trends for 2012.
202112 on the runways
I am not recommending that women start
donning the classic collared short-sleeved Hawaiian shirt, which is difficult
to wear unless you’re Elvis. Same goes
for the layers of pattern seen on the catwalk this season suitable only for the
editorial world. So how, you many ask,
does one realize this tricky trend with ease, evading the fresh-off-the-jet
tourist look?
First and foremost
with any vintage or retro ensemble, fit is key. Whether you’re looking for a
piece to make you look like a bombshell or more of a Mod Barbie, finding a
flattering vintage or retro silhouette for your body type is not as difficult
as it seems. Tropical styles from the 1930’s, 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s rank
high on my list of tropical must-haves as the classic cuts that come from these
decades make it easy to find the perfect look for any body type as well as make
an eye-catching, graphic, and deliberate statement.
Shaheen
On finding
the tropical vintage or retro piece for your body: For a curvy vixen, the
Sarong style dress is my hands-down favorite. This cut and Hawaiian dress
incarnation in itself first entered popular culture with Dorothy Lamour's films
in the 1930s. Often made of luscious rayons in the 1930’s and 1940’s and in
light and airy cottons in the 1950’s, the Sarong cuts as well as the full skirt
and nipped waist dress often came in strapless, halter, and spaghetti strap versions.
The Sarong and full-skirted tropical dresses are the perfect shape for
bombshell pinups as they accommodate a full bust with elastic backing and room
for full hips. For those looking to amp their curves, 1940’s tropical prints
dresses with pockets, 1950’s wiggle skirts, and dresses featuring mermaid hems
are sure to make traffic stop. If
you’ve got legs for miles, show them off with a fun short playsuit. Other classic tropical favorites are the Pake
Mu'u and Cheongsam, but be careful girls: these style dresses often run on the small
side. The Mod baby doll shapes from the 1960’s and 1970s’ can do wonders for
the long and lean among us.
Models: Mariah Kuykendall and Katy Starr
Have fun with separates! Transport yourself to Baja California or Cancun Mexico with the vivid prints on fabulous cotton of 1940’s or 1950's Mexican circle skirts paired with a simple cotton top, a look that is flattering on all body types. Or pair a vintage top such as this 1940’s Cha Cha Mexican souvenir sun top with amazing cut-outs and sequin details with your favorite skinny jean or cropped pant for a look that can be worn day or night.
Paying
attention to complimentary colors for your skin and hair color is a big factor
in making a vintage or retro piece shine for you. Pairing bold prints with
complementary colors is also essential. Be bold in classic Hawaiian floral,
atomic abstracts, Mexican novelty prints and make it your single statement
piece. One is all you need! Play with neutrals and complimentary single tones
to highlight and accent your statement piece. Pairing your bold piece with
something subtle and chic, from a simple vintage, retro, or repro piece is
always an easy means to looking classy.
Preferring
to spend your currency on a tangible holiday to the tropics rather than a
vintage collector’s piece is no obstacle to tropical fashion success. Look for tropical
styles from the late 1950’s into the 1980’s, sure to be abound this season in
vintage stores around the globe. Pay particular attention to those that mimic the
classic tropical silhouettes discussed above. Support one of the many etsy
vintage style garment makers or craft your own piece with a vintage tropical
print fabric and pattern. 
