Aloha shirts anyone?!

**lamina** · 10-29-2009, 03:58 AM

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** · 10-29-2009, 04:24 AM

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

**Obsessed** · 10-29-2009, 04:27 AM

You never know when one might come in handy:

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

**WhosYerBob** · 10-29-2009, 05:12 AM

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** · 10-29-2009, 05:16 AM

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

**The Nid Hog** · 10-29-2009, 05:19 AM

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** · 10-29-2009, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by Cuttingboard

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

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

**Cuttingboard** · 10-29-2009, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by lamina

? 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** · 10-29-2009, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by Cuttingboard

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!

**Miles** · 10-29-2009, 09:54 AM

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** · 10-29-2009, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by Cuttingboard

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

**Biffo** · 10-29-2009, 12:17 PM

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

)

**TimMechEngr** · 10-29-2009, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by Kouros

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** · 10-29-2009, 01:10 PM

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

I should break them out during blizzards to annoy everyone.

**WhosYerBob** · 10-29-2009, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Cuttingboard

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.

**WhosYerBob** · 10-29-2009, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

I feel a mai tai coming on for this evening!

**Cuttingboard** · 10-29-2009, 01:39 PM

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

**chainfire** · 10-29-2009, 01:59 PM

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.

**DS/B MCS** · 10-29-2009, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by Cuttingboard

FWIW, I do have quite the guayabera shirt collection.

Another nice choice for CC

**my19** · 10-29-2009, 02:34 PM

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.