New Trashy Diva: Ashley and Lena sarong dresses in gorgeous prints!

You guys know I love Trashy Diva. It’s my favorite mid-century reproduction clothing brand for three reasons: Great fit, unique designs with excellent period details, and lush repro fabrics! Two of their latest Spring offerings – the Ashley dress in Crepe Myrtle print and the new Lena sarong dress in Blue Hawaii print – fulfill each of these requirements, and more!

I come from a region that’s known for its crepe myrtle bushes and trees. At one time, we were the world’s commercial crepe myrtle capital! These hot weather beauties still proliferate here, with lacy blooms ranging the color gamut from white to lavender to hot pink to deep red. As a huge fan of the crepe myrtle, I had to buy this Ashley dress!

With its adorable cap sleeves, structured waist, and A-line skirt, Ashley looks like she comes straight out of the late 1930s or early 1940s.  She’s tailored enough for work but cute and comfortable enough for fun. The rayon print is springy and whimsical, perfect for warm weather activity.In case you were wondering, the background is black, the flowers are white and gray-blue, and the leaves are a bright Kelly green.

The fit is great, with lots of room in the sides of the bodice without looking sloppy. The neckline V is very deep, but nothing a small brooch couldn’t fix if you’re in need of a bit more modesty.

I got my usual size 14, and it fits wonderfully. For reference, I’m 42-32-48.”

If you like the print but prefer separates or a sundress, the Crepe Myrtle print comes in other styles. But hurry, these are selling out fast!

Speaking of sundresses, Trashy Diva has a new sarong dress that comes in both the Crepe Myrtle print and another gorgeous new fabricway called Blue Hawaii. The new dress style is called the Lena sarong, combining a faux wrap skirt with waist tie, shelf bust, pleated bodice, convertible/adjustable button-fastened straps, and an elegant shoulder sash reminiscent of Alfred Shaheen’s iconic 1950s sarong dresses.

The shelf bodice comes straight from the Trashy Diva Lena circle dress, which I’ve already reviewed. The straps and skirt are similar to those of the Trixie sarong dress, which I own but haven’t yet publicly reviewed.

I purchased the Lena sarong in the new Blue Hawaii rayon colorway, and I’m not disappointed in the least! The navy background has white hibiscus clusters scattered throughout. Not only are the colors beautiful, the fit is amazing! The bodice structure is attractive and comfortable and the adjustable straps are fabulous. If you want, you can tie the straps like a halter. The shoulder sash isn’t detachable as far as I can see, but it’s slim enough that it in no way threatens to overpower the dress.

If you’re a fan of Polynesian-inspired sarongs, you’ll love this dress. It borrows a bit from both Alfred Shaheen, designer of fabulous mid-century Hawaiian fashions, and Edith Head, the legendary film costumer who created Dorothy Lamour’s exotic signature style in the 1930s. It was the dress below – seen in the 1937 film “The Hurricane” – that kicked off the sarong craze in the United States.

Once again, I got my usual size 14 and the fit was as expected.