Summer may be coming to an end, but this slay is eternal! Hands down, this look has got to be one of my faves. This look was inspired by the "fruit hat lady" Carmen Miranda and Chiquita Banana. I have always wanted to wear a fruit hat because they're so colorful, extra, vibrant, and I'm a plant based vegan too! I actually wanted to rock this to a festival last summer and I'm so glad I waited because everything worked out perfectly.
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| That Night in Rio |
Carmen Miranda was a Portuguese samba singer and dancer based in Brazil who was well known for her vivid costumes, especially her fruit hats similar to the headscarves and pieces worn by Black Brazilian women. We can even link that influence back to Africa and across other places within the diaspora.
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| Chiquita Banana |
If you're a banana lover like me, you're probably familiar with Chiquita Banana. Chiquita is the poster girl for the popular banana brand and she made her debut back in 1944 according to the company's website. Like Miranda, Chiquita also wore a fruit hat, except her was flaunting bananas.
I wore this ensemble to this year's Bantu Fest. I found these super funky high waist, cropped pants back in the spring and that was confirmation that I had to give the girls Miss Carmen for the one time this summer. They're from the 80's but definitely serving a 1950's style, especially with the fruit, palm tree, flower, and tropical drink novelty print.
Go hard or go home! Pranced on down to Amazon and found this fye, bright orange crop top from Made by Emma that had the off-shoulder, ruffle type ya dig goin' on so I could definitely hit the Carmen look as closely as possible. This created an even more flamboyant look and created a color balance between the yellow turban and red shades.
Last but not least, the main course - the fruit hat! Instead of purchasing a fruit hat from my good sis Etsy, I decided to make my own. I grabbed a turban a while ago from a beauty supply store, purchased fake fruit on Amazon, and got to hot glue gunnin'. Unfortunately, my hot glue gun wanted to stop working and I had to take another step, but everything worked out fine. Don't get too close to the hat so you don't see the glue strings...but it worked out fine!
I would love to recreate another variation to this look for next summer, then again? Knowing me, I'd rock it anytime!
Look:
Pants: Nancy Bolden City Girl 80's does 50's novelty cropped pants
Shoes: Discovery Clothing
Accessories: Vintage parrot earrings, H&M rings, Express gold chain necklace, Agaci red cateye shades, Discovery Clothing chain belt
Make-up Products:
Photography: Warren Alexander Photography
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