Aloha shirts anyone?!

[lamina]

A friend of mine went to Hawai (honeymoon trip) and brought some aloha shirts... They were not widespread here but one he bought (cotton,dark blue, white hibiscus flower) is a nice one. I was wondering buying one...Wise option or it's just some tourist trap and, in reality, no one from outside the islands use them? Cotton vs poly? There is any classic pattern(palm tree, hibiscus...)to be considered? Short sleeve vs long sleeve? Any thought will be welcomed...Thanks

[Kouros]

Buy a Tommy Bahama shirt instead. Better quality and always in style.

[Obsessed]

You never know when one might come in handy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCJ55u8kOIw

[WhosYerBob]

I don't believe I've ever seen a *long* sleeve Hawaiian shirt. That said, there's a lot of them to choose from on the islands.

The cheapest and best quality that I was able to locate were at the CostCo in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island and the CostCo in Kahului on Maui. It was interesting to find them there because the labels said they were actually made in Hawaii, whereas a lot of the other more expensive shirts are made elsewhere.

I'm a cotton man myself - poly always seems too much like something a used car salesman would wear. Lots of designs to choose from as well; I tend to favor the more geometric designs over the floral.

Oh, and where I work we always have Hawaiian shirt Fridays during the warmer months.

[Cuttingboard]

These should only be worn while on a beach vacation or at a jimmy buffet concert.

[The Nid Hog]

I'm a big fan of Aloha shirts too. I hardly ever buy them myself--it's become a go-to gift for my wife and kids. They have a pretty good idea of what I like, and if they buy it, I won't be able to push the envelope to embarrassing levels. When I'm in Japan, i occasionally pick one up in Okinawa. They're very popular there--in part because of efforts to make Okinawa into Japan's Hawaii and in part because there's a lot of Okinawan immigration to and from Hawaii. Lately, they make Aloha shirts there out of local textiles. I got a very cool yellow and brown woven shirt last summer that's a neat variation on the Hawaiian original.

[lamina]

These should only be worn while on a beach vacation....

:confused: ? Kind of hidden protocol maybe?! It narrows my opportunities of wearing them next 9 months...

[Cuttingboard]

:confused: ? Kind of hidden protocol maybe?! It narrows my opportunities of wearing them next 9 months...

Exactly!! Grown men should not wear them if they are not on a beach vacation or live near the ocean.

[gollum83]

Exactly!! Grown men should not wear them if they are not on a beach vacation or live near the ocean.

For cripes sakes, loosen up man! It's a shirt, not a sign of the apocalypse! :rolleyes:

[Miles]

Aloha shirts are a sign of distinction for the man at ease with his hedonistic tendencies. Ideal when matched with a (properly crafted) mai tai and/or zombie. This style of shirt has a rich tradition in the states, popular attire for the returning GI's after the war, and certainly can be used as part of a vintage influenced wardrobe.

I like the shirts made by Avanti. They use vintage designs on comfortable silk shirts that tend to be a bit more classy than some of the low budget cotton tourist shop shirts. They also have some long sleeve versions which they produce if you're into that sort of thing.

Of course, being a subjective personal style preference not everyone is going to go for them, and as we all say: YMMV

As for me, I am prepared for any luau.

[DS/B MCS]

These should only be worn while on a beach vacation or at a jimmy buffet concert.

Nope, lots of folks with CCP wear them. Great cover garments and I have a few in my rotation :biggrin:

[Biffo]

I have several, but never wear them on the beach, they are shirts for wearing at barbeques, parties that might get a bit .... fraught and always as fancy dress (hey I look good in a grass skirt :wink2:)

[TimMechEngr]

Buy a Tommy Bahama shirt instead. Better quality and always in style.

I have several of the Tommy Bahama shirts. 100% silk, and no others will beat their quality and attention to detail. The patterns line up on the front panels when buttoned, and the material just feels great. I always look forward to Spring and being able to wear these shirts again.

[Monkeydad]

I have several of these as well, but rarely wear them.

I should break them out during blizzards to annoy everyone.

[WhosYerBob]

Exactly!! Grown men should not wear them if they are not on a beach vacation or live near the ocean.
Don't listen to him - he's just jealous. :biggrin:

[WhosYerBob]

Aloha shirts are a sign of distinction for the man at ease with his hedonistic tendencies. Ideal when matched with a (properly crafted) mai tai and/or zombie.
I feel a mai tai coming on for this evening!

[Cuttingboard]

There just not my style...to each his own. FWIW, I do have quite the guayabera shirt collection.

[chainfire]

I like them and wear them year round. I figure you should wear what you want unless someone else is paying for your wardrobe, until then, be your own man. :smile:

[DS/B MCS]

FWIW, I do have quite the guayabera shirt collection.

Another nice choice for CC

[my19]

Sig Zane makes some beautiful shirts -- button down collars and designs based on local flora. I keep hoping to find one on the 'bay that's just nicely broken in.

My favorites, though, are Hawaiian-made Kahalas based on John Severson's designs. Severson, the founder and first editor of Surfer magazine, "the bible of the sport," does mostly surf-related designs, naturally enough.

And while silk is nice, it means dry cleaning. Give me rayon. After all, it gets HOT here in Texas, and rayon is light and breezy. Cotton, on the other hand, seems too heavy for a Hawaiian shirt.

[leighton]

Only tourists wear Hawaiian shirts. Even in Hawaii. :lol:

Yes, I am from the islands.


Ok, fine, sometimes we wear them in lieu of formal wear at graduations and fancy places.

[Bomberguy]

I am partial to Reyn Spooner shirts. They sell a variety of materials and styles--even long sleeved aloha shirts. My favorites are the reverse print Spooner Kloth shirts. The reverse print affords a subdued presentation that can balance a bold print. The 50%/50% cotton/polyester blend is maintenance-free. Their 100% cotton seersucker shirts are maintenance-free, too, and look great at the pool. Check with them often as their offerings change from season to season. They even offer a different Christmas shirt every year.

[withoutink]

I used to wear them a lot when I lived in Oahu... Now I live in South Florida and people where them here =)

[valmara1971]

Oh, and where I work we always have Hawaiian shirt Fridays during the warmer months.

Can't wait till then Bob can we see a picture of your shirt. In fact guys how about a mass edit to include your shirts with discriptions of make material where to buy etc would be neat and a treat to behold. :001_smile

[lamina]

Man...i need one!!Someone said silk!!? What a wonderful idea...we've got some discussions about poly/rayon textile vs cotton.It seems the poly' after some use will develop some nasty smells, due to perspiration not being evacuated mainly at armpits. The guy i talked to...no doubt about it, don't do it man, a rayon will kill you being warmer than any cotton, more densily woved, plastic fabric... cotton is more ventilated than any poly', rayon do not absorb the body moist, not evacuating it as water vapor creating a salty smell around you... and with time, the poly' fabric will yellowish... Desinformation or what? Or just a cultural thing and people need to be educated about the good services of poly'?

[Mr. O]

I have a "Hawaiian" shirt I'm fond of. So what if I wear it when it's snowing. That's my style man!

[gollum83]

I have a "Hawaiian" shirt I'm fond of. So what if I wear it when it's snowing. That's my style man!

I always manage to get stares from doing that, but we all know it's because they're all jealous of my shirts, not because Im wearing them in the middle of winter. :wink:

[mike72]

i saw some cool ones the tommy bahama web site, but you better have some big bucks those ones.

[Miles]

Avanti does a reproduction of Elvis' shirt in the film Blue Hawaii. Pretty sweet, I say :)

[JoeH]

I wear them all the time. Used to be able to wear them to work where they became my "trademark." My wife loves them. Says they make me look like I've got Zest!

[Cuttingboard]

I wear them all the time. Used to be able to wear them to work where they became my "trademark." My wife loves them. Says they make me look like I've got Zest!

I'm not sure how I would react to my wife telling me "that I look like I have Zest!":biggrin:

[rgc]

I am partial to Reyn Spooner shirts. They sell a variety of materials and styles--even long sleeved aloha shirts. My favorites are the reverse print Spooner Kloth shirts. The reverse print affords a subdued presentation that can balance a bold print. The 50%/50% cotton/polyester blend is maintenance-free. Their 100% cotton seersucker shirts are maintenance-free, too, and look great at the pool. Check with them often as their offerings change from season to season. They even offer a different Christmas shirt every year.

+1 great shirts and I saw plenty of non tourist wearing them in Honolulu when I lived there. :biggrin:

[gollum83]

I'm not sure how I would react to my wife telling me "that I look like I have Zest!":biggrin:

He's married. It's probably the closest he comes to getting a compliment. :biggrin:

[J.B. Books]

My thoughts exactly!

[lamina]

Well, i've seen some nice ones around but Customs fees here are a shame...:mad:

[Big Fella]

I wear them all the time during the hot months. Great cover shirt for a concealed handgun. Switch to Filson vests in the colder months.

[Doc4]

http://www.magnificentbastard.com/features/toolbag

... helloooo number 5. :001_tongu

[cricky101]

The Aloha shirt is like a beacon for me when I travel to Las Vegas.

I find the middle-aged guy with the brightest shirt and an abundant beer belly playing craps, and that's where I play craps too.

You can't lose!! :001_smile

[lamina]

Nice # 5...But i'm wearing a 'cause wristband...a purple one A Complaint Free World :001_smile

[woosorio]

As a resident of Hawai'i I feel compelled to chime in. Aloha wear is pretty standard for downtown businessmen (attorneys, architects, finance-types, etc.) and my personal favorite, is Reyn Spooner. Check out there website for some local iconic designs such as the classic pareau (http://www.reyns.com/SC101_Services/SC101_Shopper/showItem.php?menuId=1&itemNum=3759). I would recommend any of their Spooner Kloth shirts; durable, comfortable and they age very nicely.

[FreezerBurns]

I have one that is made out of silk that I save for certain occasions(luau themed parties, etc.). Come to think of it, combined with a fake moustache and some giant aviators, it could play a key role in a sweet Magnum P.I. halloween costume.

[Miles]

Well, the aloha shirt is not for everyone, and that's part of what makes them so good. I'm a little surprised to see such strong opinions against them, though. Next thing I know, you guys are going to try and tell me that my spats are out of style, too...