Don the Beachcomber built a bar in LA during the 30s and decked it out with Tiki and Hawaiian decor of bamboo, coconuts, wicker baskets and chairs and old fishing nets. He served drinks heavy with rum and fruit. What fun eh? Here's a pic of Bob Hope acting goofy and dancing with a lovely lady in a tropical print dress.
It was an immediate hit with Hollywood types looking for a break from depressing news. Don the Beachcomber helped start a trend of over-the-top theme restaurants with a Polynesian Islander feel and a menu to match. Lots of pork, and ginger, fish of all kinds, and calamari too. The menu is a blend of Asian, Polynesian, Hawaiian, and other tropical locations cuisine.
take a look at this fun table set for a luau on the patio, right in your own backyard!
Gorgeous prints from tropical climates, and all those bright colors and big flowers too.
Here's a few in the funkomavintage shop on etsy right now. Shirts for guys and gals, and dresses, and fun 50s Springolators for the ultimate summer sandal.
Vintage Hawaiian shirts often have metal "Chinese coin" buttons. The colors are bright, and often have hibiscus flowers, tiki and other Polynesian motifs. Palm trees, islands, surf and sea, with boats and sunshine and those big big flowers, are often the things you'll find on a Hawaiian shirt.
They are cut to fit looser than a regular short sleeve shirt. Loose and airy, just right for having a good time at the party or the bar, and staying cool in the heat.
Jam's World prints are designed right in Hawaii and always capture the spirit of the islands.
Don't forget a fun pair of shorts too. Pair with a very not-serious tshirt, and you can show up at any backyard luau, ready for fun, and sun, and good times.
How about a Hawaiian dress or a tropical blouse?
I just adore this crazy print Tiki set by Tori Richard. It has an Asian-influenced jacket or tunic, with a matching pair of pants.
Or a tunic? Or a caftan? worn to a tropical theme party or a fun island-style night out on the town, adds that dramatic festive feeling.
Vintage 50s Springolators are the Classic 50s sunny day shoe! You might recognize this as "the Barbie shoe". Her feet were shaped just for this kind of slip-on sandal.
And look! Here they are on the feet of this cutie on the early 60s Ventures album, vintage vinyl my friends.
Known as mules or sandals, a pair of Springolators will instantly transform you from the daily grind, to the tropical vacation of your dreams. :-)
