appearance of casual leisure wear was
perhaps unintentional when colorful
Hawaiian shirts became the newest
popular trend with beachfronters as well as
residents.
Sunglasses were deemed as luxury items
before 1950 to 1959. When wayfarer and
the club-master style sunglasses became
more affordable, more people started
wearing them.
The stiletto heel was launched by
Salvatore Ferragamo in 1950. Accessorized
in pearls and sunglasses, women wore
stilettos on every occasion and to all
social functions, including church picnics,
on Boca Grande. Cocktail parties began
each night of the week at 6:15 p.m. sharp,
thus allowing guests to gather and trade
tales on the events of the day prior to
the customary 8 p.m. dinner hour at The
Gasparilla Inn.
Most of the formal attire that was seen
in Boca Grande came by way of the
various dress shops at St. Armands Circle
in nearby Sarasota. Fancy cocktail rings
were donned, envied and admired at after
dinner parties that went on well into the
night.
Popularized by Hollywood actresses of
the 1960s to1970s such as Ms. Katherine
Hepburn, sundresses began appearing
on Boca Grande beaches. Bright fl oral
patterns, fl ared trousers and wider shirt
lapels characterized fashion trends.
The 1960s pillbox hat made famous by
Jacqueline Onassis was replaced with
iconic, oversized, fl oppy, hats like those
worn by actress Bridgette Bardot in 1970.
Vibrant colored fl ip-fl ops began appearing
in the early 1960s. Not only were the slip
on shoes water and sand proof, they were
easy to get on and off for beach goers and
Beachtime in Boca Grande, circa early 1900s.
Above & below: beachgoers enjoying the
sand & surf in Boca Grande in the 1930s.
54 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE • July/August • 2021
bikini wearers alike.
Crazy and highly experimental styles
came on to the scene with the advent of
synthetic fabrics in the 1970s to 1980s.
Sporty chic fashion became a major
style and is an original version of today’s
“athleisure” look. Athletic styles such as
sport jackets, sneakers, jogging suits, and
short pants marked the sports luxe trend.
Casual comfort was everywhere and
in everything, except for the required
formal dinner attire one wore to dine at
The Gasparilla Inn. The formal dinner attire
dress code remained in effect until the
passing of the Inn’s owner, Bayard Sharp
in 2002. Today’s Inn dress code is more
relaxed but does require collared shirts
and blazers in high season.
The passing of the 20th century in fashion
brings transformative, innovative, and
unforgettable style to Boca Grande in Part II
of dressed to the nines and to a T.