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!!

1950s vintage photo of 3 women in 1950s swimsuits sitting on a beach by a boat.

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.

Tiki Style as seen at Frankie's Tiki Room in Las Vegas.

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.

1950s Dress. 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!"

Source: Etsy

Toronto Vintage Society at the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend 2016.

Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend 2016 Car Show. 1950s Vintage Dresses on display by the Toronto Vintage Society.

I’m a big fan of sometimes simple design makes a strong statement, and this 1950s dress does.

1950s Vintage Dress with Palm Leaves. Fun Tiki Dress or 1950s Summer Dress.
Source-Etsy “simplicityisbliss”

The below Jeffrey of California 1970s dress just SCREAMS 1940s/1950s. I’m so in love with the fruit basket pattern, madly in love.

1940's 1950's Style 2-pc Carmen Miranda Embroidered Lace Heart Trimmed Tiki Hawaiian Pinup skirt and top (1970s)
Source-Etsy “ChickaBoomVintage”

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?

1950s style Hawaiian sarong dress -Tiki Style

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)!

Hawaiian dress and kikepa-Hawaiian Shaheen style dress reproduction. Made with vintage 1960's fabric.

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.

Vintage 1950s ALFRED SHAHEEN Sundress | 50s 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.

1950's Polished Cotton Rich Glowing Tiki Tribal Print Hourglass Cocktail Dress w Draped Train by Fashions of Hawaii
Source-Etsy “Butch Wax Vintage”

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.

Tiki Time 1950's Hawaiian Print Sarong Polished Cotton Dress by "Sun Fashions of Hawaii"
Source-Etsy “Wear it again”

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.

1950s Dress - Vintage 50s Rayon Hawaiian Dress - One Shoulder Novelty Print Fire Red Sundress - Tiki Torch and Surfers
Source-Etsy “jumblelaya”

Fish Print 1950’s Alfred Shaheen in green. Ohh la la, beautiful.

1950s ALFRED SHAHEEN // Fish Print Sarong Dress & Bolero // vintage 50s dress
Source-Etsy “dethrosevintage”

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.

1950s KAMEHAMEHA Amber Leaf Glow Tropical Plumeria Orchid Floral HAWAIIAN 50s Sundress Full Circle Swing Skirt Pinup Dress
Source-Etsy “Geronimo Vintage”

Lastly make sure you check out my other Tiki post… Time to get Tikified! Fun Tiki Items & Clothes To Inspire

Liz 🙂