Aloha from the East Coast!

History lesson along with a little story: "The Talbots" stores were founded in New England by Rudolf and Nancy Talbot in 1947. I have to imagine the couple vacationed in Hawaii to escape the long, cold winters here, and I can just see Nancy turning to Rudolf as they lounged on the beach and staying, "Darling, we really need to stock some Hawaiian dresses like the Malia frocks here. They're so pretty and functional."

And he (staring off into the Pacific,) replying, "Consider it done, Nan. As soon as we get back stateside. Now would you please put some more sunscreen on my back? I'm feeling a bit hot between the shoulder blades."

All speculation on my part of course, but it's entirely possible that this is how this particular dress was manifested.

It looks exactly like a Malia dress! The Hawaiian flowers, the silhouette, the built-in bra, the fabric waist tie, yet there is no Malia tag and no Malia signature on the fabric, so I'm not calling it a Malia, I'm just saying...if you like Malia, you might like this dress.

Hey, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and if you're going to be copied by someone, it might as well be Rudolf and Nancy Talbot.

Zips up the back with a Talon (metal pull) nylon coil zipper.

Estimated size: small

Measurements (in inches, taken flat, doubled when necessary)

Bust: 34

Underarm to waist: 7. 5

Waist: 27

Hips: Free

Length: 37

For reference, mannequins measures: 34, 25, 35. 5

My measurements: 34, 27, 38

Condition: Perfect

*Oopsie Daisies include: None

*Just between you and me and the cyber lamppost:

Vintage clothes have stories. Stories from decades past of: a girl laughing so hard, she spills her punch; or dancing so furiously, she rips a seam; or pulling her friend out of the way of a fist fight and dropping cake on her skirt in the process. We love vintage because of the tales of times gone by, what we don't love are the stains, scars, and casualties of such events.

Yet they are inevitable.

I try my hardest to spiffy up the clothes I've rescued, but sometimes I can't. Or won't because it's not worth the risk of losing or ruining the item all together.

So let's make a deal: I'll be as honest as possible in divulging all the oopsie-daisies and you be as understanding as possible in realizing that oopsie-daisies are part of the vintage life. Take a close look at the photos. If you see a flaw I haven’t mentioned—ask. Maybe it’s a shadow, maybe it’s a stain I missed. It happens. Let’s talk before the sale because I can’t reimburse for repairs, alterations, cleanings, etc.

Now put on your new garment, go dancing, singing, and trading flirty eyes with the cutie who's been making your heart jump all evening. Stop worrying about the little mark and go make a mark (and a matching story) of your own.