A traditional luau is both at once formal and informal, and it is common practice (but not mandatory) to have a luau dress specifically for the occasion. What is worn for formal occasions may seem informal by mainland standards, but it is up to the elegance of the print, quality of fabric and skill of the tailor that make the difference.
If you have never been to a luau, you are in for a treat. Get ready to dance and dine, we will help you find the right dress. For those of you that have been to a luau, we hope to provide you with your new favorite luau dress!
For Hawaiians, the word ‘Luau’ and ‘feast’ mean one and the same. There are two types of luaus in Hawaii, private celebrations and parties and commercial productions. The luau can be either informal, formal or both depending upon the occaison it honors and the theme.
Private parties are often held in celebration. There are birthday luaus, sweet sixteen luaus, graduation luaus, wedding luaus and so forth. A luau dress for the person-of-honor is bound to be formal and beautiful.
Commercial luaus are held mostly for the tourist industry and are sponsored by hotels or cultural organizations. If you are going to Hawaii, attending a commercial luau is a must-do. Do not be put off by the tourism aspect, these luaus are highly organized, often dazzling spectacles with good food!
A luau may offer some famous kalua pig barbeque, poi, poke and other island delights. It may feature food, such as poi, kalua pig, poke, lomi salmon, opihi, haupia, and beer.
The entertainment varies, but may include songs with lyrics in the Hawaiian tongue, hula, and sometimes fire dances.
The luau dress should be for evening wear, the luaus are held at sunset and the tradewinds are comforably cool once the sun goes down over the Pacific.
Shorter may be preferable to longer if you have an inclination to dance, but large formal luaus such as those at hotels do not have a dance floor. You are there for the feast and to watch the professional dancers perform.
The lighting at the feast is probably going to be natural flame, and tiki torches are a noted feature of luaus. A bright color such as red or yellow looks particularly good in the light cast by a flickering flame! Larger prints are also pereferable to smaller as the print will be more evident.
We offer a wide line of beautiful sundresses and luau dresses direct from the islands. The fabrics are in rayon, cotton and even artificial silks for comfort and ease. We even offer batik style muu muus.
While apparel for a luau is informal, it never hurts to dress the part. See our complete line of Luau Dresses at Sundresses.net.
