Aloha

 

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Dress: Vintage, Luna Ray Vintage via Etsy cotton, lace

Heels: Wittner leather

Bag: Vintage, Pookie & Ness via Etsy woven, plastic clasp

Bracelet: Spirit's Gift silver

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If you're an avid reader of this blog or happen to know me personally, you'll probably already know about how much I adore all things "Retro Beach Culture" including the Elvis movie Blue Hawaii, Gidget (both the Sally Field & Sandra Dee versions), the television crime drama Hawaii 5-0 starring Jack Lord (he of the hair that doesn't move...), wicker outdoor chairs & tables, those amazing shaking Hula Girl dashboard dolls, surf culture songs including those by James Darren & of course, the fashion of high waisted bikinis, bright floral maillots, terry towling & barkcloth or cotton mumus. With this in mind, you'll probably understand why I was so darn excited when I saw this exceptional piece of sartorial nostalgia for sale at Luna Ray Vintage's amazing Etsy store. The red & white hibiscuis & frangipani printed cotton smock dress with its three-quarter-sleeves (hemmed in lace), nautical bib neckline & midi-length hemline & button detailing that can be worn to the back or the front looks phenomenal when styled up with a pair of white leather strappy heeled sandals from Wittner, a vintage 1950s white woven clutch bag with cream plastic clasp from Pookie & Ness via Etsy & a chunky silver frangipani bracelet from a whimsical little bohemian emporium called Spirit's Gift on the main street in Coolangatta to complete the look & draw everything together.

Scroll down to see it - in all its glory - from the back...

Muumuu

 

There's nothing better than a dress that does double duty & sometimes, it's the most unlikely option, too. This vibrant 1960s/70s  lime green & white Hawaiian-printed cotton mumu with white lace trim that I purchased from retro goods purveyor The Ivy Estate via Etsy works equally well when its worn to the local bike path with a pair of black leather & elastic strap "surf sandals" from Jo Mercer, black vinyl crossbody bag from French Connection & natural woven sunhat from Hummingbird the Shop as it does when it's "styled up" for a dresser occasion with a fuzzy mint green cardigan from Cotton On, a pair of heeled lace-up leather mules from Jo Mercer & retro-inspired "girly" natural woven handbag with black beaded handle from Kitten D'Amour. Basically, it's what I call a true wardrobe hero... & being both handmade & vintage, it's also completely unique.