February 9 is Carmen Miranda’s birthday. Carmen Miranda was a Portuguese-born Brazilian samba singer, dancer, Broadway actress, and film star who was popular in the 1940’s and 1950’s. She is best known in popular culture from her signature fruit hat worn in the 1943 movie The Gang’s All Here. Therefore pulling off this outfit hinged ENTIRELY on the creation of said fruit hat….and let me tell you it wasn’t easy. First off I had to go to FIVE different dollar stores before I could even find any fake fruit for which to get the materials for the hat. Then on today of a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius I had to sit and anxiously arrange, tape and somehow affix said fruit to my head. In the end I had to lean it against a teased bun that I elastic-ed it too and then secured with my head scarf. If I was ever unsure of my poise, I am no longer. Hope it was worth the effort!

 

Photo credit: Holmes

 

Fruit Hat: Homemade from Fake Fruit from Hot Dollar taped to a Basket

Yellow Headscarf: My Mother’s

Red Off-the-Should Top: Basic Casual

Coral Long Split Skirt: ASOS

Yellow Tropical Print Wedges: Betts

Beaded Necklaces: IKEA

Teal Necklace: Thailand

Chain Necklace: DIVA

Bangles: Diva

Rings: Diva 

Earrings: Thailand