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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

FASHION

Fashion Dare: The Muumuu is Back

Left to right: Chanel Cruise Collection (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images); Actress Jessica Biel attends the 2010 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall (Photo by Mike Coppola/FilmMagic) 

Hawaiian in origin, the word muumuu (that’s right muumuu, not Miu Miu) quite simply means a loose fitting dress that hangs from the shoulder, generally printed or patterned. By definition alone, it sounds like a sexy wardrobe staple that’s a cinch to accessorize and easy to wear. But, if you grew up watching "Three’s Company," as I did, chances are that when you hear the word muumuu you immediately think of Mrs. Roper, the spacey, peacekeeping wife of landlord Stanley. (She dished sweet, Zen-like wisdom to her tenants as she sashayed around the California apartment complex in her garish uniform of bold print, floor length muumuu, paired with oversized, candy colored baubles.)

Actors Norman Fell and Audra Lindley in a scene from the TV series 'Three's Company.' (Photo by Tony Korody/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)

Fortunately, the muumuus of today are decidedly hipper. Think body-conscious, long or cropped, but still worn with attitude. (Jessica Biel's daring Diane Von Furstenberg muumuu, which she wore to the CFDA Awards last month, was in a green and gold leopard pattern, while Chanel's resort number is peek-a-boo see-through.)

EBay has seen a rapid uptick in the style in recent months. There have been 44 percent more listings under the term "muumuu" since January, and listings for "caftan" are up as well—26 percent. (Call it the Tory Burch effect.) Last week, there were 23,180 listings for "tunic"—up nine percent since January—and the online marketplace is exploding with "coverup" options this summer, up 34 percent from a similar period last year.

The colors and patterns of our selects are bold so they pair well with more pared down accessories: leather sandals in natural or a metallic; a stack of thin bangles or one statement cuff; long strands of smaller beads or layers of thin chains; straw or other natural fiber bags. If you fall in love with a print but a floor length style or long sleeves feels too “covered up” or too flashy, make a trip to the tailor or some try some DIY styling to make it work for you. 

 

Muumuus on eBay:

Roll over items for details
NEW Thomas Wylde Silk Caftan
The quiet palette allows for a colorful stone pendant or layers of small beaded bangles.
((buy it now price, $599) )
NEW H&M Beach Cover Up
A gorgeous print and beading details with a price you can’t refuse.
((buy it now price, $26.99) )
NEW Echo Beach Tunic
A preppy Palm Beach print that would work well as chic upholstery or wallpaper too.
((buy it now price, $39.99) )
NEW Tory Burch Slip Dress Cover Up
The embellished neckline acts as a built-in statement necklace.
((buy it now price $127.49) )
Dolce and Gabanna Tunic
A sexy tunic in a length that works with bikinis now and jeans as the weather begins to cool.
((buy it now price, $215) )
NEW Alexander McQueen Snake Print Caftan
For the serious collector with the guts to pull it off!
((buy it now price, $8,000) )
NEW Missoni Party Caftan
A pretty floral from Missoni that will take you from pool to dinner party with ease.
((buy it now price, $489) )
NEW DVF Beach Cover Up
A flirty ruffled silhouette adorned with a bright Andy Warhol Daisy is pop art perfection.
((from $19.99) )
Vintage Tie Dye Mini Dress
Organic earth tones and a batik print lend a rich hippie authenticity to this tunic.
((from $9.99) )
NEW Kimono Beach Cover Up
This African inspired print would go well with natural stones or a wood cuff.
((buy it now price, $17.99) )
Fashion Dare: The Muumuu is Back

 

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