Smitten With British Pin Up [Tara] Starlet

I've always been a sucker for the feminine hourglass silhouettes of the 1950s and 60s--I am, after all, the same gal who threw a costume-mandatory Mad Men themed birthday party several years ago (thank goodness I have friends who indulge me)--so it's not surprising that I've fallen hard for the latest bombshell no the block: Tara Starlet.


I remember the first time I saw her...

I was at Starbucks in the USC bookstore, flipping through magazines while waiting for my tall soy latte. Next to the somewhat disconcerting sight of Disney child star turned angst-ridden teen, Demi Lovato, on the cover of Cosmopolitan was the UK version of the magazine featuring Tara Starlet on two bubbly British ingenues. Their knotted crop tops in bold floral prints revealed a peek a boo of skin before meeting up with coordinating high-waisted shorts. The retro look was sent from pin up heaven, and I took it in like a tall glass of water.

By the time the barista called my order up, I had googled "Tara Starlet" and discovered that the UK-based label shipps internationally from its website: http://www.tarastarlet.com. 
With my impending nuptials on the brain, I immediately pictured myself sporting the flirty suit on my Caribbean honeymoon, browsing the local market or cruising around the island on a moped. I could modernize the look with a wedge sandal and neon lip (a la Tom Ford in True Coral, $48.00 or Chanel Rouge Allure in Super, $29.99), achieving the breezy sexiness that one aspires to on such a vacation. 

Tom Ford True Coral

Tara Starlet Birds of Paradise

Looking to turn my honeymoon style vision into a reality, I scoured the website to find the UK Cosmo cover girls' looks. Both models wear the Floral Knot Top (£40 or about $62) and Short (£50 or about $78), in (from left to right) Cream Pink Flower and Black Coral Roses prints. While on the website, I discovered the suit in the Hawaiian print series, which I think is more summery and Caribbean-appropriate. 


I've finally settled on the Hawaiian Knot Top and Short in Birds of Paradise, an enticing white print with exotic flora and fauna in green, yellow. Now, there's only one thing preventing me from my va va voom honeymoon: the pieces are sold out in my size. Fingers crossed they restock--and if that doesn't work, I can just put on my neon lipstick and pout.