Muumuus are loose Hawaiian dresses which hang from the
shoulder. While this definition is the most popular, it
does not include the ideal that muumuus are a philosophy,
equipped with poetry, lifestyles, thematic elements, and
dresses. Originally, the name for the dress was holokū
and was also known as the” Mother Hubbard dress”. This version had long sleeves,
a high-necked yoke, and was floor length. Meant for women of any size because of the unbelted loose nature of
the dress, these dresses were brought to Hawaii thanks
to Protestant missionaries who arrived during the 1800’s.
These missionaries were greeted by women who were not
clothed except for a skirt wrapped loosely around their
hips which left their breasts exposed. Integrating traditions
which were brought by the missionaries, they designed
these dresses as a comfortable garment to cover the bodies
of the women. Assimilating to the missionaries, the women
wore the dresses but the cloth was Hawaiian in its bright
colors and floral patterns incorporating a mixture of
ginger blossoms, bird of paradise, plumeria, hibiscus,
and orchids.
Local islanders soon pioneered the name Mu ‘umu ‘u
which translates to “amputated” or “cut off” in Hawaiian
in 1923 because the dresses at the time lacked a yoke
and were worn by island women without the high neck and
the train of the traditional Protestant version. The brightly
colored fabric support Polynesian motifs much like Aloha
shirts and in modern days, residents of Hawaii wear muumuus
with more subdued tones as formal dresses for festivals
as well as weddings, and in the hotel industry. They are
preferred by larger women and those who are pregnant because
they are comfortable and attractive, but are meant for
women of any size. Thanks to the natural flow of these
dresses, their popularity has grown worldwide, with women
wearing every color and pattern imaginable.
The Hawaiian prints of the muumuus represent ideals of
a bright future, joy, and happiness. The poetry continues
with these thoughts including lines relating to the freedom
of muumuus like the freedom of riding waves, being young
and free in muumuus, and the power that muumuus have to
bring people together across oceans and continents, coming
together in the spirit of muumuus and love. Sewing patterns
for muumuus include a traditional yoke with tucks on the
front and the back. The front has an opening placket which
has buttons while the back has a deep center pleat. There
are inseam pockets as well. Bell shaped muumuus are meant
for expectant mothers while tea length muumuus are meant
for girls.
These traditional dresses have taken their place among
Hawaiian civic groups and choral groups, representing
a grace of older Hawaiian women, manners, and traditional
poise wrapped in comfort. While the origin of the saying
that everyone is a product of those around them is Japanese,
many islanders integrate this philosophy as part of the
muumuu philosophy. This gives reason to maintaining the
traditional muumuu wear for traditional festivals such
as the Merrie Monarch hula competition, baby luaus, and
weddings. Muumuus represent the culture found in living
in Hawaii, not meant just for heavier people. Once meant
only for native women, the garment became very popular
during the 50’s, peaking as a form of leisure wear. Integrating
stylistic components of fads throughout the decades, muumuus
reflect beach cover-ups from the 60s wrap dresses from
the 70s, and additional ethnic lines.
Pop culture has briefly reflected the use
of muumuus on both the islands and the mainland. The drummer
from Phish, John Fishman, often wears a muumuu when he
plays announcing that the level of comfort and ease allows
free movements and better music production. Zippy from
Zippy the Pinhead wears a polka-dotted muumuu while
the main character Homer from The Simpsons wore
a muumuu during an episode. Kathy Griffin, an actress
and comedian, has noted many times that her mother dons
muumuus for dress wear.
