Be sure to check out the weekly On Trend Tuesdays linkup below!
photo taken outside Koloa Landing Resort
Dress: Banana Republic Floral Tie-Neck Maxi – over 50% off! (print also as a top, more similar maxis)
worn with this strapless bra (review)
Belt: borrowed from dress (similar, similar)
Shoes: Steve Madden ‘Belma’ – runs small, size up
Clutch: Ross Dress For Less (old, similar, similar)
Hat: Morning Lavender ‘Victoria’ Striped Hat (also comes in black/white)
Watch: Citizen Eco-Drive Crystal Silhouette c/o
Earrings: Modcloth ‘Gynko A Long Way’
I’m slowly but surely making my way through my Kauai trip pictures and had to share one of my favorite maxi dresses as well as an amazing luau experience I had while on the island! I’ve been loving the red floral maxi dress options at Banana Republic this season (you might remember this pretty blue one I wore a couple months ago — I found a similar if you’re interested!) and love that their petite sizing actually hits at the perfect length so that no alterations are necessary. The quality is amazing as per typical Banana Republic — the fabric is lightweight, drapes well, and even machine washable! This red floral maxi is fully lined and there’s even an elastic waistband to give it a figure-flattering shape. I found that the bodice did pouf out a bit so I added a belt and pushed some of the excess fabric to the back and loved that it pulled double duty in accentuating an hourglass silhouette too!
photo taken at Luau Kalamaku
I wore this red floral maxi dress a couple times actually one my Kauai trip — I switched into it first thing after we landed and wore it again a few days later as we headed out for a luau dinner. No first-time visit to Kauai is complete with a Hawaiian luau so I was super excited as we stepped out onto Kilohana Plantation for Luau Kalamaku.

how stunningly gorgeous is this dancer who handed us our leis?
Laua Kalamaku offers a truly unique experience as you can actually explore the plantation before the show and enjoy a train ride, tour the plantation and even feed the animals (I had a goat eat bread out of my hand!). There is so much of Kauai’s history that is rooted in the sugar plantation days so it was super interesting to see that aspect first-hand. If you know me, you know that I LOVE taro and it was super cool so see fields of taro as we cruised by on the train.

all aboard the train to tour Kilohana Plantation!
I also didn’t know this before I went to my first luau, but the signature shredded kalua pork is cooked in an underground oven called the imu, which uses a combination of hot coals, stones and layers of leaves and cloth or mats to steam food. I watched the imu ceremony which basically consisted of of removing the layers of cloth and leaves from the pit oven to expose the cooked pork. The pork is removed from the pit and taken to the kitchen for shredding. I had never seen anything like it before so it was really interesting to see this ancient cooking process still in practice.

It was too packed for me to get a shot of them as they unearthed the pork but here’s a shot of the shredding the pork once it was removed from the oven.
The buffet dinner opened up shortly afterwards and I was excited to eat! The spread featured all the signature authentic Polynesian , including selections such as lomi lomi salmon, mahi mahi, shredded kalua pork, Okinawan purple sweet potatoes, poi (a sweet paste made from taro), and a super delicious teriyaki chicken.
Of course, no luau is complete without dessert! I took a sampling of everything which included pineapple upside-down cake (probably my favorite), rice pudding with dark rum sauce, banana cream pie, and haupia (the white coconut pudding below).

left to right: haupia (coconut pudding), rice pudding with dark rum sauce, pineapple upside-down cake, banana cream pie
While the food was good, the performance was truly spectacular! I loved that the stage was actually at the center of the room so there were seats all around that offered front-row views. While I had attended a luau previously when I visited Maui a couple years ago, the one at Luau Kalamaku was quite different in that instead of just having various hula dancers and drummers performing various skits on stage, this one was absolutely theatrical!
The performance told a story of the original Tahitian voyage to the Hawaiian Islands and it was almost like watching a show by Cirque de Soleil! The lighting, costumes, and incredible dancing made it a completely immersive experience. The show ended with fire poi balls and even fire knife dancing!
If you ever get the chance to visit Kauai, the Luau Kalamaku is definitely a one-of-a-kind experience that I would highly recommend and one that you won’t forget! You can read more about a few of my other Kauai trip adventures here including horseback riding and a helicopter island tour!
And now for this week’s On Trend Tuesdays linkup! Sandy and I are excited to feature Stefanie from The Style Safari this week. I’m in love with her swimsuit — be sure to check out her blog and give her some love!

Now it’s your turn to share a recent outfit with the rest of our community for a chance to be featured! Just link up a recent outfit and remember to include either the button below or link to both me and Sandy in your post. We’d love if you could comment on 5 other bloggers too as this is a community where we can all get to know and support each other! Tag us on social media too to join the conversation with #OnTrendTuesdaysLinkUp!
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Wow! What an amazing dress! Perfect for Hawaii! And that luau looks fabulous. I would love to see that show.
WOW! You are a total summer stunner in this dress, Kileen! So beautiful! XO
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
Looks like an amazing trip! Your maxi is beautiful! Peace!
Love that floral! Your colors are so fun. The luau was one of my favorite parts of our trip to Hawaii.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Kileen, your posts always make me want to shop and travel! LOL! LOVING this dress!!!
Adriele
StyleAssisted.com
Kileen and Sandy thank you so much for the feature! I’m so glad you both liked my post and my swimsuit- it’s definitely a favorite of mine!
And your tripp looked AMAZING- such great pictures!
Thanks again!
-Stefanie
I love this pretty maxi dress! So summery!
I’m at work in my lunch break I want to book a flight and go there now hahaha I love all the photos!
Now that maxi dress looks stunning on you. I love the print and it’s perfect for a tropical vacation. Do you mind me asking how tall are you for size reference?
xx
Iliana | http://www.sophisticatedfashionista.com
Hi Iliana!
I’m 5′ tall and about 107 lbs. I typically wear XSP and it’s what I’m wearing for this dress — it runs true to size! 🙂
xo, Kileen
Ahhh I have this same maxi dress, I wore it a few weeks back! I loveee it with that white belt, it really makes the colors pop! You look amazing in it!
Denise | Fashion Love Letters
You maxi-dress is wonderful for a seaside resort vacation! 🙂
beautiful photos. Looks like you had great time. The food looks super yummy.
Nina’s Style Blog
This dress is so beautiful… and so perfect for Hawaii!
xo, Jennifer
http://www.publicistinpearls.com
You look absolutely gorgeous in your red dress! Floral maxi dresses are my favorite when on vacation too!
http://thecourtneydiaries.com
Such a pretty maxi dress! Love the color and print!
~Samantha
http://goldcoastgirlblog.com
thanks Samantha!
Looks like so much fun!!
Brooke
Pumps and Push-Ups
Love your maxi dress babe! Such a beautiful red<3 Glad you had so much fun in Hawaii!
XO, Jessi
http://www.mywhitet.com/engaged
Your photos are so perfect and gorgeous – such a stunning outfit! You look beautiful 😀 xx
elizabeth ♡ ”Ice Cream” whispers Clara
(lets follow each other on bloglovin or instagram)
What a gorgeous maxi! I love the bright red on you!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
This dress is stunning, and thanks for the linkup!
Beauty & Colour | Vegan Lifestyle Blog
How cute is that maxi dress!!!!
Kate || KATE KOUTURES
That’s why vacations are so amazing! Not only do you get to relax in the gorgeous scenery, but you have blog content for dayssss. Your Kauai trip looks like so much fun, and I’m adding it to my bucket list! As for this dress, that print is so stunning. You always pick out the best pieces.
xoxo Bryanna
You’re so sweet Bryanna!! Thank you so much! 🙂
You look amazing in this dress girl! Love this fun print
– xo, Azanique | http://www.lotsofsass.com
looks like you had a really nice time. I’m loving the outfit too!
x,abril
The Color Palette
What a beautiful floral dress! You look amazing!
Edwige | http://www.hypnozglam.com
Great outfit that’s perfect for your trip. What an amazing experience!
This dress is gorgeous and looks amazing on you. Perfect for a Luau!
xx, Elise
http://www.sparkelandslippers.blogspot.com
I always enjoy your posts! Such a pretty dress today! Thank you for joining the Ladies Who Link Up party! Peace!
Cheryl
http://www.northwestmountainliving.com
Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. You look awesome in this red summer dress! I love how you styled it. The shoes are a perfect addition.
very pretty dress and the photos of your trip are fabulous. thank you for sharing on my Fine-Whatever link up.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com