Thursday, October 8, 2009

Buying Hawaiian Aloha Wear Online


Aloha from Hawaii!

Looking for a nice Hawaiian Dress? eBay is a great place to find them!

The MuuMuu which is also spelled Muu Muu or mu’umu’u, is generally a loose dress of Hawaiian origin in a colorful floral print. But they are so much more than that!

MuuMuu are worn by everyone in the islands. Their popularity is spreading throughout the US and internationally. I have shipped MuuMuu all over the globe, including Sweden, Japan, Germany, Austraila and other countries. Everyone appreciates a pretty flowered dress! Aloha wear is worn to work here in Hawaii, as well as casual and lounge wear and even for occasions where you need to dress up. You will see them in the office, the mall, parties and church. Some are worn by hula dancers. They are worn by women of all sizes.

They come in different styles. Some are long, some are short. Most boast an array of tropical flowers in cheerful colors.

I have a store on eBay - http://stores.ebay.com/terrific-stuff This guide is designed to help your shopping experience.

Features: First and foremost, the MuuMuu is comfortable! Most are cotton or a cotton polyester blend, but you will see other fabrics, like rayon, from time to time. Most are in an A-line style which means they flare from the shoulders to the hem in one line with the largest measurement at the hem, and there is no waist. They flatter all sizes of women, but especially anyone with a little extra tummy or hips that they want to hide. I always start my listings with an auction and buy it now option. If you see something you like in a larger size, I would recommend buying it right away as they go quickly.

Fit: A good percentage of the MuuMuu are A-lined and full like mentioned above. But some are fitted, especially in the smaller sizes. All are designed to be flattering, no matter what your size. If you see something that looks fitted and is not specified, feel free to ask the seller about bust, waist and hip measurements before you buy. It’s easier to ask than get a dress that doesn’t fit. Find out the seller’s return or exchange policy in advance.

Size: The sizing is often funny. If the measurements aren’t listed in the description, I would ask the seller. I have seen a size small that has a 42 inch bust and I have seen a size 2X with a 36 inch bust. In my listings, I always show bust and length measurements, and encourage buyers to take a look at the measurements before bidding. If there are no tags – which is frequent when dealing with pre-owned items – it’s up to the seller to measure and estimate the size. In my store, anything below 34 inches is a small, medium runs 34-38 inches and large is 38-42 inches. Extra large starts at 40 inches and anything above 44 inches will be in the Plus Size category. I have sorted the store by size for your convenience.

Condition: When dealing with used, or pre-owned items, there could be flaws. These could be stains, snags, rips, etc. I always note anything I see in my listings. Excellent condition means no visible stains or rips. Good condition may just be a little more worn, or a couple tiny stains. If a dress is in fair condition, it could be stained or ripped and should be stated in the description. Again, find out the seller’s return or exchange policy in advance.

Style: There are many different styles of MuuMuu. In addition to the A-line or fittled styles, there are other options to choose from. Some are full length, some are shorter – like knee length or mid-calf. Some have ruffles at the neck, sleeves and bottom, some are plainer. Some have a neckline with a ruffle or lace. Ruffled neck MuuMuu are very popular. Some have elastic at the neck so it can be worn on or off the shoulder. This is another style that always goes quickly. Necklines can be V, round or square and may be adorned or plain. A ruffle at the hem that is longer in the back than it is in the front is called a Holoku’u and is a little more formal. Some have a zipper in the back, others are a pullover.

Designer: Two of the top designers in the islands are Mamo Howell, and Princess Kaiulani. Mamo has a bolder design with her name in the pattern. Princess Kaiulani are usually more formal and feminine, with ruffles and lace. Both of these are hard to find on eBay and sell quickly. Tori Richard is another very high end brand. Creations by Bette are another popular label – her designs are usually V-necked, long and very full in the body. You will hear about Liberty House labels. Liberty House used to be the top department store in Hawaii and was recently purchased by Macy’s. Liberty House brands include Jane M, Carol Bennett, Sun Babies, Especially for You, T&L MuuMuu Factory, Hilo Hattie and others. You know that these brands are very upscale, well made and probably expensive when new. You will find design labels like Rim or Royal Creations at a more affordable price in stores like Sears. Brand new, full price starts apx $40 and can go over $250. This depends on the designer, and the dress. On eBay, you can find them as low as under $10 and all the way up to over $100.

Shipping: Find out in advance how much shipping is. Find out if the seller will combine shipping for you on more than one item. One of the most popular options we offer is the Priority Mail Flat Rate Box. It is under $10 and can hold up to 6 dresses for one low price (USA only - ask for international shipping prices). That is the best value. Most dresses are under a pound, but some, especially larger ones, or ones with lots of ruffles, can be over a pound and the shipping is more expensive.

You don’t need a luau or Hawaiian party to buy a MuuMuu. They can be worn every day. They are always nice to wear because of the cheerful print and flattering look.

Check out my store http://stores.ebay.com/terrific-stuff . I have a great selection and add more every week. I have a preferred customer list if you wish to be added. Just send me your email address and you will be the first to know of new listings, sales and promos

I take pride in good service. Check my feedback. Your satisfaction is my priority.

Enjoy your MuuMuu! Let a cheerful Hawaiian dress brighten your day!

Mahalo - Thank You in Hawaiian - and Aloha from Hawaii!

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