Not Your Tacky Hawaiian Shirt: Tropical Punch for Less!

Gone are the days of tacky Hawaiian shirts and coconut bras. Tropical has taken on a whole new definition for summer 2012 that’s worth trying out. Don’t be afraid to wear the wild tropical prints that were meant for the season. Of course, there are so many ways to wear them but balance is key with this trend. We’d hate for you to look like a Beach Boy.  So throw out your old ideas and take this tropical fashion risk.

Try this tropical top from Forever 21. I love this top because it has a good balance of colors mixed with a solid amount of white. It also isn’t as overwhelming as many others might be. When looking for tropical prints this summer try bigger patterns to avoid  looking “too” busy.

$13.80

Or for a wilder tropical look go for these shorts from Delia’s. Why not go all out and celebrate the season in perfect style. Wear these shorts with some strappy sandals, a simple white shirt and a big straw hat for an ideal tropical look.

$14.99

If you’re looking for an easy way to wear this trend try this summer scarf from Charlotte Russe for only $9.50. I love this print because it’s a more sophisticated take on the Hawaiian vibe. For those of use who can’t always pull off this sort of thing, wear this with a denim shirt and some colored shorts to complete the look.

If you’re not crazy about the prints, instead try wearing tropical colors. Check out this dress from ModCloth, perfect for a night at the beach.

$42.99

Or try these fun colored accessories to add some Hawaiian punch to your look. Wear these bangles or this necklace, both from baublebar.com, with an all white ensemble (see “White Hot, White Out” ).

Necklace: $36; Bangles: $28

What happens in Hawaii apparently doesn’t stay there…so why not join in on the fun?

Courtney Ott is a student at the University of Cincinnati in the college of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning (DAAP), majoring in fashion. She is a proud native of Cincinnati, and her hometown favorites include Skyline Chili, Graeter’s ice cream and the Cincinnati Reds. As a broke college student, Courtney has become an expert at finding the look for less. Follow her on Twitter @CourtneyWOtt