Hawaiian Fashion help

[Katydid]

Next year for the Reading Airshow I want to do something different. I never see anyone wearing anything tropical. My boyfriend reenacts early war Pacific so I was wondering if there were any Pacific-inspired fashions out there during the war. I do a bit of sewing so even if someone could point me to a pattern that would be great. I was also wondering about summer fashions as far as halter tops go. I notice them a lot in 50's fashions but what about the 40s. I don't really know how much skin was appropriate back then.

 

[rubyredlocks]

I know the whirlingturban Suzy Wong dress is from the 40's.
http://www.whirlingturban.com/40s suzy wong.htm

I've also seen the shadylady custom 40's look in hawaiin prints.
http://shadyladyclothing.com/menu.html

I have a vintage 1940s hawaiin print dress similar to my sarong with a sweetheart neckline,halter, and a belt with an attached bow that looks bustle-inspired when worn,complete with a matching shawl.
Hope that gives you a few ideas,I'm sure the girls can even come up with patterns.

 

[rubyredlocks]

I can't seem to link to whirlingturban.

 

[scotrace]

Whirling Turban

 

[rubyredlocks]

Thank you,Scottrace!

Katydid-Try googling Dorothy Lamour.Her pictures with Bob and Bing always had a tropical flair.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

This is my Whirling Turban dress:

They did wear halter tops in the 1940s, though they often wore them paired with a bolero jacket, to make the dress or outfit more suitable for walking about town during the day.

Here's a halter playsuit from the late 30s:

Another one from 1938:

And one from 1940:

I have a couple of summer McCall's magazines from the late 30s-early 40s, and they show dresses made with similar tops to the playsuits/bathing suits I posted above, with a-line skirts, and matching jackets. They are very cute!

 

[rubyredlocks]

JBD- I've salivated over that dress on her site for a while,beautiful color choice that will look stunning on a blonde.
I'll probably order a few for next year's VLV,I'm waiting til I see some really good greens and yellows pop up on her fabric listing.
I could kick myself for not getting something in that green with yellow feathers fabric before it ran out.

 

[J. M. Stovall]

Thank you,Scottrace!

Katydid-Try googling Dorothy Lamour.Her pictures with Bob and Bing always had a tropical flair.

Except "Road to Utopia", set in Alaska. One of my favorites.

I know the movie is not great, but didn't "Pearl Harbor" have some scenes were the nurses went to town in tropical civies. It's been a while since I've seen it.

 

[rubyredlocks]

Yes,I think so. I can hardly remember it as well.

 

[Lauren]

I need to find that pattern... it's yummy.

 

[Tomasso]

This is my Whirling Turban dress:

What a lovely dress.

 

[decodoll]

I need to find that pattern... it's yummy.

I think a copy of this pattern is on www.evadress.com.

 

[Lauren]

Oooh! A shopping I will go... a shopping I will go....

 

[Kaela]

And one from 1940:

Say! I have this pattern and I made this outfit! Don't think i'm looney for using this fabric for this pattern, it may not be period correct, but it sure is cute!

I actually made it just for a trip to Palm Springs, so I'd be vintage poolside, too!

THis is one great little pattern, and yes, I got it from evadress.com! (Just remember, evadress only has copies of originals, so it's a good pattern, but if you like having the originals, you're out of luck!)

 

[CherryRed]

Too CUTE!

Say! I have this pattern and I made this outfit! Don't think i'm looney for using this fabric for this pattern, it may not be period correct, but it sure is cute!

THis is one great little pattern, and yes, I got it from evadress.com! (Just remember, evadress only has copies of originals, so it's a good pattern, but if you like having the originals, you're out of luck!)

You look terrific! And I love the outfit even if it isn't period it's retro. Your hat is the best! Where did you get it? Is it vintage?

 

[Katydid]

I LOVE both of these dresses. I need to find that pattern or something similar. It's just too cute.

Kaela, I love your hat as well! It's fabulous!

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I'm going to step up the hunt.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

The two-piece swimsuit does look fabulous, Kaela!

Here's the pattern link:
http://www.evadress.com/9046.html

And a Hawaiian dress pattern available at evadress as well:

http://www.evadress.com/108.html

 

[humblestumble]

Alright!!! Thats so awesome! I've been so keen on 40s and 50s tropical swimwear, playsuits and dresses this year! I got a bathingsuit from walmart that is vintage looking, although I am no expert in that area. (And I am also very cheap because I have no cashflow yet) It's a tropical print. I'm also seeing more fabrics in stores of tropical nature. I am loving that pattern and so want to make it now!

 

[colleency]

The swimsuite is great! I'd like to make one, but I'm curious what everyone thinks: would the swimsuit look ridiculous in a D-cup?

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

The swimsuite is great! I'd like to make one, but I'm curious what everyone thinks: would the swimsuit look ridiculous in a D-cup?

Never! It would look fabulous! And if you make it and think you ridiculous, send it to me! (We are bosom buddies!)