Heart of Haute Blog

An interest in the exotic (and largely imagined) lifestyle of the South Pacific has been a part of American fashion and culture since the 1920s. In the 1940s, many served in the South Pacific during World War II, and returned home with tales of palm trees and rum. Hawaii's 1959 statehood and the advent of quick and more affordable jet travel made it a popular - yet still exotic - travel destination. "Trader Vic" Bergeron opened his first restaurant in California in 1934, serving an approximation of Cantonese food and concocting cocktails like the Mai Tai. Mid-century America was crazy for Polynesian pop culture in the 1950s and 1960s: Tiki bars, backyard luaus, and Exotica music and movies were everywhere.

The tiki trend vanished from the mainstream in the 1970s, but it has recently found new devotees and an increase in popularity. Those who still still celebrate the sips, styles and sounds from this era meet up at various tiki weekend parties all over the country, and Tiki Oasis is the biggest and longest-running event.

Each year, Tiki Oasis has a different theme. For 2016, the theme is Party on Monster Island - “From rubber Godzillas tearing apart the South Seas to surfin, Go Go dancing Frankenstein and Wolfman, creatures have always been lurking in paradise.”

If you attend Tiki Oasis, you will probably want a couple of outfits that work with the Party on Monster Island theme, plus some of your best and brightest aloha wear, whether vintage or new. Here are our ideas for Tiki Oasis 2016:

• The 1940s brought us loads of creepy monster movies, from Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man to The Cat People. For a 1940s scream queen look, try the Madison Dress, the Manhattan Dress, or the Diva Suit in Navy, Red, or Black. The Betsy Blouse or Gretta Top are great separates to complete your “sexy scientist who saves the day” look. For a ton of movie gossip and inspirational images, check out Heroines & Scream Queens of Classic Horror: The 1940s.

• For a classic 1950s damsel in distress look, try our Diner Dress, the Elizabeth Dress in our new border print Bethany Floral, or the Haute Circle Skirt in Picnic Gingham. Get ready by watching Creature from the Black Lagoon or Plan 9 From Outer Space. Shop Vampira’s closet with the Ella Top in Black Stripe, The Mod Dress in Black, and the best-selling Super Spy Dress.  

• Some of the monsters in vintage media came from other planets. As space exploration increased in the 1960s, so did our imagined fears. To create a retro 1960s space babe look, try our Doreen Dress, Coco Skirt,  Twirl Skirt in Cosmos print, or the Fifi Dress in a Navy or Orange space age star print. Need more alien invasion inspiration? Check out this awesome list of horror, fantasy, and science fiction films of 1960s.

If you are looking for some tiki bar basics, don’t miss out on our Paradise, Sweetie, and Rebecca Dresses, all available in our tapa cloth inspired Tiki Serenade Print. Don’t forget to pack a new hair flower, and a sweater to ward off any air-conditioned chill. We have colors and styles ranging from basic black to fashionable coral. Need to save some money for mai tais? Check out our Sale Rack for some exclusive South Pacific Style savings, including:

Marie Dress in Tahiti Pink

Twirl Skirt in Blue Tiki Serenade

Rebecca Dress in Blue Tiki Serenade

Marie Dress in Tahiti Blue

As the final season of Mad Men winds down, we are left with a lot of questions. Will Don Draper assume his true identity? Will Peggy break through the glass ceiling? Will Roger ever run out of one-liners? Most importantly, WHERE will we get our vintage office style inspiration? This show has been a huge part of the mid century style revival, and it deserves all of the fashion notoriety it has gained. Mad Men’s costume designer Janie Bryant has been nominated for six Emmys (and won once) for her amazing work with Joan’s pencil skirts and Peggy’s schoolgirl plaids. If you are looking to step up your work wardrobe from secretary to boss lady, Heart of Haute has the pieces you need. We can help you to present a professional image, while still staying true to the retro style that you love.

Beyond the Basic Button Down Shirt

When you think about dressing up for work, one of the first things that comes to mind is typically a button up shirt. Our Estelle blouse is popular for several reasons, including fit and unique style. For all of the women who had given up on button-up shirts due to gapping at the bust or a tent-like fit - the Estelle blouse is the answer. A bold neck bow for interest, and a shaped cut for a perfect fit - it’s anything but button-down boring. If you have tattoos to cover, or just a freezing cold office, try our Elsa blouse. With long sleeves, pleated details, and a bow v-neck, it is a versatile basic loaded with style. Try it tucked into a high waisted skirt or pants. Our Stella dress features the same fit as the Estelle blouse - in a full outfit! With cap sleeves and a back tie, this 100% cotton dress is office-worthy retro fashion.

Work Wardrobe Staples With Vintage Style

What is your go-to work outfit? The one that makes you feel fabulous - even on a long and difficult day. If you don’t have one, stocking a few work-wear basics is a great place to start. The Super Spy dress is a work wardrobe staple - dress it up with a scarf, belt and heels, or down with leggings and boots. The super-comfortable knit keeps its shape - a great choice for business travel or a long day at at trade show. Our Bella dress is a refined knit choice that is easy to accessorize for a big meeting or casual Friday. Looking for some basics to match with your wilder pieces? The Spy Top features the same fit and neckline of the Super Spy dress in both solids and patterns. Our new Haute Circle Skirt in Black GoGetter another great basic - a full skirt in a wrinkle-free fabric that will match with nearly anything. Want something more fitted? We have pencil skirts in a number of versatile colors and two styles. As Mad Men ends, let’s all tip a cocktail to some of the most detailed (and gorgeous) vintage costuming that television has ever seen. Be inspired to rock some 1960s style at your job - don’t forget to tie a scarf on your purse, and no crying in the break room!  

Follow Heart of Haute's board Retro Style at Work on Pinterest.

Set your makeup & hair. A simple makeup mist spray can save you from having to touch up your blush every hour! You can find affordable makeup setting sprays, like this one from e.l.f. cosmetics.   You'll want to keep your bag light, so bring just your beauty essentials.   Also, it's important to keep in mind that fast rides like Space Mountain & the Matterhorn may mess up your fabulous hairdo!  Make sure you're ready for touch ups if you plan on riding the Disneyland classics.

Tiki Oasis is one of the biggest and best-known tiki weekenders in America. Every year they have a vintage-appropriate a theme, and in 2014 it was Beatniks. Even if you didn't make it to Tiki Oasis, you can still dig this crazy retro style with Heart of Haute.

Beatniks was the nickname given to those who participated in the subculture based around the Beat Generation, a postwar movement in art and literature. Author Jack Kerouac coined the term Beat Generation in 1948 as a way to describe the new anti-materialistic counter culture groups that were forming around the country. Like most subcultures, it eventually became a stereotype and Halloween costume joke, but not before inspiring many great artists, musicians and writers.

Beatnik style for women might not look that transgressive or exciting to us today, but try to remember what mainstream style was like in the late 1940s and early 1950s. For women, it was full skirts, elaborate details, heavily styled hair and makeup - overall extremely feminine. In contrast to this, the beatnik girl's simple hair, androgynous black and stripes, and flat shoes were very rebellious. If you want to work this lesser-known 1950s style, we have the groovy knits and dark shades that you need, beret not included!

Try our classic Super Spy Dress, the Spy Top, or Trixie top. Put on some iconographic beatnik stripes with our Tara top,  Ella Top, Janie Top, or our Cropped Cardigan.  Try the Sassy Skirt in black for a sleek, daring look - with no frills! Beat dullsville and stay cool with Heart of Haute!