Updated August 2024
Ohhhh I’m sooo happy that summer is finally here (well it will be here as of tomorrow but close enough). It was a long cold winter here in Toronto and I have been itching to get out into the warmer weather since the first day of winter. I will admit that jetting off to Spain for week 100% helped kick me into summer mode but I’m never fully happy till I hear “SUMMER IS HERE!” and that happens tomorrow! Yippee!!
So with the wonderful summer weather upon us that means it’s full on summer dress time for me and that includes some of my Tiki / Hawaiian dresses. Invited to a BBQ..why yes I will wear my pink flamingo tiki dress (seen below at Frankie’s Tiki Room in Las Vegas during Viva Rockabilly Weekend). Invited for drinks on a patio..why yes I will wear my two piece tiki outfit. etc. etc. You invite me to something I will try to “summer it up” as much as possible and that means for me lately that can lean towards a Tiki theme.
Sadly my closet is limited on space and my pocket-book is lean BUT if I had the space and money here are some of the “Tiki / Tropical / Hawaiian Dresses” I would have in my wardrobe (and some you could possibly own yourself if you quick enough to pick it up).
Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, Unique Vintage, RocknRomance Vintage & Collectif are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
NOTE: If something is no longer available on Etsy, do a search for other vintage items that are like it. “New” vintage products are being updated all the time!
VINTAGE SHOPPING: I have a collection of ‘Vintage Summer Outfits‘ on Etsy that you can buy right now and I update Monthly. Happy Shopping!
Vintage Summer Outfit Inspiration
Tiki / Tropical / Hawaiian Dresses
What an enchanting oceanic beauty this is! It’s a rich cotton 1950s New Look Hawaiian halter sundress with 3D winged shelf bust, elastic ruching, and full circle skirt by “Made in Honolulu for Desmond’s of Southern California!”
Note: I have a very similar dress, while the pattern is different (mine are tropical flowers instead of seashells) the dress is close in style (not a match but you get the point). I have shared my dress below.
Source: Etsy
Toronto Vintage Society at the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend 2016.
I’m a big fan of sometimes simple design makes a strong statement, and this 1950s dress does.
The below Jeffrey of California 1970s dress just SCREAMS 1940s/1950s. I’m so in love with the fruit basket pattern, madly in love.
The below dress is an “OuterLimitz” creation and I think I might actually need to buy this one. I currently own 2 dresses from this fantastic designer and will admit that I’m a huge fan. Isn’t that pattern wonderful?
Oceanfront Boutique is also another fun vintage reproduction online store creating beautiful tropical vintage style dresses for all to enjoy! Here is one of my favs featuring a vintage tropical fabric (avail as of May 2023 HERE)!
Source: Etsy
Now here is the vintage version – An authentic 1950s ALFRED SHAHEEN, Hawaiian floral Tiki printed brown cotton sarong wiggle dress w/ waterfall Train.
Source: Etsy
Oh my! Look at the glorious colours on this “Fashions of Hawaii” hourglass dress. And the back train! I have no words…no words.
Sarong dresses are a favorite of mine because they just such a flattering look on almost every shape. The below 1950’s “Sun Fashions of Hawaii” Tiki dress is wonderful example of this.
Can we have a moment of silence for this amazing creation. Ssshhhh….Okay now speak! EEKKK!!! The novelty print is crazy cool! and the one shoulder design with the bow..fantastic! Sigh…love.
Fish Print 1950’s Alfred Shaheen in green. Ohh la la, beautiful.
I’m going to end this wonderfully colorful post with this 1950’s Hawaiian Sundress by Kamehameha. This would be a perfect addition to ANY Tiki party or BBQ you might be attending this summer.
Lastly make sure you check out my other Tiki post… Time to get Tikified! Fun Tiki Items & Clothes To Inspire
Liz 🙂
Yes! All I have been doing is searching for hawaiian dresses!!
I’m mostly doing window shopping now. So broke from Spain. So buy buy buy on behalf of me too!
OMGosh, I love all of them. They are perfect. Why doesn’t everyone wear these?
Because at least the ones I picked were $200 plus. Bit out of my price range lol. But they are fantastic that is for sure!
Oh, dangit.
That gives me an idea…stay tuned for a Cost effective post on Hawaiian dresses for the summer.
Keep in mind I bought a Hawaiian dress at Goodwill for $10 last week…:)
Oh they exist as you clearly found out. Not here in Toronto though. Our goodwill and like places are picked thru and you very rarely find deals 🙁 an then when someone finds a $10
Hawaiian dress thru sell it for $100. Sucks
Yep, it was a rare find. Mostly dresses are over $50. I’m cheap. $100 is too much for me.
You have a fabulous blog:) I love the fabric combination in the 70s number. It is very hard to believe this is 70s.
Thanks so much Joanna! I felt the saw way about the 70s number too. I had to read the description twice to make sure I read that it actually was from the 70s. So Carmen Miranda 🙂