Dec 13

Dec 13 Sea Island Life: Spring/Summer 2019

*Photo courtesy of Everything But Water*

Southern Style

Retro Revival

Tie-dye has returned with an elegant twist and being hailed as one this year’s major fashion trends.

Fashion powerhouses are throwing it back to the 1960s, with tie-dye resurfacing as this year’s prominent trend on runways and beyond. This style joins other blasts from the past, such as neon, fringe, mismatched prints and flatform sandals. With the likes of Prada, Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler and other renowned designers adorning models with the retro tye-dye fabric, there’s no question that the look is back, while also offering more high-end silhouettes as compared to the styles of yesteryear.

“Fashion is cyclical so, eventually, everything comes back around,” explains Kam Thomas Throckmorton of Atlanta-based personal styling company Glam Kam. And when trends do come back, they’re often given a modern touch to fit with today’s market. To that regard, contemporary tie-dye pieces are incorporating luxurious elements such as elegant fabrics like silks and cashmeres, classy color combinations and surprising shapes, going far beyond the stereotypical surfer-inspired T-shirt.

“You will see every variation of color and color combos in tie-dye on the runway, but sticking to one color keeps it feeling more sophisticated,” Throckmorton notes. But the beauty of this trend is that whether you choose to don a single hue or take cues from the runway and wrap yourself in the entire rainbow, you will certainly appear vibrantly stylish.

Another advantage of a fashionable pattern is that you can find pieces in virtually every shape. “You will see it all, from crop tops to structured blazers and every fabric, but I like the fabric to have a look of luxury and a summer vibe,” Throckmorton says. “… I also like silhouettes with a lot of movement, so a great maxi dress that has a great flow [is my ideal piece].”

The tie-dye trend is ideal for summer, so pairing it with pieces that have boho chic flair is an easy way to match this style with the season. But this colorful print isn’t limited to just the sunny summer months, as it can just as easily be made into heavier pieces to wear in the midst of spring showers as well as in cooler climates.

“As with any trend, be intentional with it,” Throckmorton says about incorporating tie-dye into your everyday wear. “Don’t do it just because it’s a trend, but also don’t avoid it if it’s something that intrigues you.”

So try some tie-dye on for size—whether you keep it simple or go bold, you’re sure to make a statement.

Create and Play

Sea Island Resort offers a seasonal tie-dye program for children and their families to enjoy doing arts and crafts together. This class is held on the Beach Club lawn during the spring on Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m., as well as the summer months on Wednesdays and Sundays, also at 3:30 p.m. The resort’s Junior Staff team members help little ones wrap and dye T-shirts to create spiral, striped or bull’s-eye patterns in the colors of their choosing. Participants get to take home their shirt for a fun reminder of their visit, along with special washing instructions to keep them beautiful and bright.

Meet Ashley

This born-and-raised Maui girl works as a freelance content creator who specializes in writing and editing for both print and digital publications, as well as producing short-form videos for social media. Her favorite topics to cover are travel, food, and spirituality with an emphasis on witchcraft.