Hawaiian Shirts - Aloha Shirts

[HarpPlayerGene]

I also posted this in the Thrift thread because there doesn't seem to be much interest/participation in this thread any more -- but if someone happens to enjoy viewing this and has info to contribute, I'll be glad.

No label. Feels like crepe rayon. I'm thinking '60s/'70s on this one. [huh]

 

[SheBear74]

As if collecting sewing patterns wasn't enough now I want to go in search of Hawaiian shirts! I am down in the sub-tropic part of Florida so all the thrift stores have tons of Hawaiian style shirts. I will have to start looking through to see what I can find

I do have a question. So if you where to wear a Hawaiian shirt with dress/khaki shorts what kind of shoes would you wear?

 

[John in Covina]

I do have a question. So if you where to wear a Hawaiian shirt with dress/khaki shorts what kind of shoes would you wear?

With Long pants such as chinos I tend to wear saddle shoes but there are some single color shoes I think called Bucks that would go well. It's casual so a casual or sporty shoe is ok.

With shorts probably walking shoes or possibly sandels in really hot weather.

 

[SheBear74]

I found this in the local thrift store, I love the print, and love that it's at least made in the USA

Sorry about all the wrinkles...

 

[davestlouis]

There are some great shirts in this thread...I've finally gotten enough gray in my hair that I feel OK wearing shirts like this, and I've started buying a couple. Vintage doesn;t work for me as a rule because I wear an XXL in sport shirts and 18-35 in dress shirts, so new stuff it has to be.

 

[DoubleXX]

... but that had me wondering what sort of outerwear may be worn over a Hawaiian shirt. Surely something must be appropriate for when it cools down in the evening?

-A vintage 1940s/50s gabardine Hollywood jacket, and that's about it.

 

[Absinthe_1900]

That's what I wear sometimes..

 

[DoubleXX]

That's what I wear sometimes..

Looks good. (thank God you didn't tuck the aloha shirt in!)

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Here's my latest pick-up:

 

[Chasseur]

but that had me wondering what sort of outerwear may be worn over a Hawaiian shirt. Surely something must be appropriate for when it cools down in the evening?

A pretty common look for 'formal' day and evening events here in Hawaii is an Aloha shirt under the standard blue blazer.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Here's another that seems like a real oldie to me. Rayon. a little ragged inside and at a couple seams, but totally wearable. Completely faded tag. Colors are much more 'salmon' than hot pink when viewed in person.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

^^ Oh, by the way, when I asked the lady at the thrift store about the price she said, "Oh, that one's kinda' rough,.. you can just HAVE it."

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

(tap, tap, tap.... Is this thing on??)

Well, anyway, here's another one I'll throw in here; one of the loneliest little threads on The Fedora Lounge. [huh]

Y'see, what I've been hoping for is info/feedback/discussion about collectible vintage aloha shirts from those of you who really know about the topic. It may be that I've been scoring some good stuff - or junk - I'd like to know what you think.

 

[Canadave]

(tap, tap, tap.... Is this thing on??)...

Them shirts is purty! (Sorry, I'm not an expert, but you seemed lonely. )

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Them shirts is purty! (Sorry, I'm not an expert, but you seemed lonely. )

lol lol

Thanks for throwin' me a bone!

 

[CLShaeffer]

Interesting thread.

I live on the Big Island and, thus, avoid loud Aloha shirts like the plague. I have 1 - a nice rayon black and white floral - that I keep for dressing up but that's it. I have simple floral print t-shirts (one color on black) that I occasionally wear to evoke the affect of Aloha shirts when I am on stage, but for the most part I wouldn't be caught dead in an Aloha shirt here. At least not one that I can afford.

There are generally 3 reasons to wear vibrant Aloha shirts here if you are Caucasian: you're a tourist (usually accompanied by a sun hat, camera, and lobster red skin), its a "formal" occasion, or you're an entertainer. Women have a lot more leeway than men but the same is generally true for Aloha print dresses.

Locals tend to wear much more muted, even dark, colors and simpler patterns. Brightly colored shirts with above the knee shorts says "mainland transplant" louder than just about anything else. The shorts alone were enough, but the loud shirt seals it

But board shorts, or below the knee cargo shorts, slipahs and a muted aloha shirt fits right in as slightly dressed up. Not common, but OK.

Adding slacks would be overkill unless its a formal occasion- or you are an entertainer. If long pants are needed a local would wear jeans.

This is all today's standards, of course. Nothing to do with vintage style. Most of the older locals DO appreciate the vintage stuff, though. You'd have an easier time getting away with a vintage print shirt than the new cheapies. You'd still stand out, but at least its evident to some of the older crowd that you know Hawaii.

For vintage style that is still alive today look at the Palaka shirts. They're still everywhere. While they used to be common, everyday work shirts they are now considered more formal. But they are also a statement of continuity in Hawaiian culture. I see them all the time - albeit mostly on people older than 40 - at beach parties and informal gatherings all the time. Also being worn as buisness attire. Oddly, they are generally left untucked EXCEPT by the cowboys when worn with the rest of the cowboy ensemble: jeans, leather belt (minus the Texas buckle), and cowboy hat and boots.

Here's an interesting history of the Palaka shirts: http://hawaiipalaka.wordpress.com/2009/04/29/a-reflection-on-the-checker-past-of-hawaiian-denim/

The red/white shirt seems to be the most common these days but there are also black/white and blue/white Palaka shirts.

I don't know if Palaka shirts would register as "Hawaiian" for most folks on the mainland, but its a fascinating style: both modern and vintage, as at home today as it was in the Golden Era. Palaka shirts are also acceptable in long sleeves, which Aloha shirts aren't.

Just my observations of what I see around me here. I'm certainly no expert.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

I enjoyed reading your take on it, CL. The current, authentic Hawaiian perspective. Thanks for taking the time to share!!

I'm mostly fascinated by the vintage shirts lately and am always on the lookout. I know I missed the craze by a couple years, wherein the prices and speculating soared - but that's OK with me.

I do continue to seek more info about how to reliably distinguish new from '80s from '70s from '60s and so on...

 

[CLShaeffer]

Here are a couple quick search results I found for identifying vintage Aloha shirts.

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/mens-clothing/hawaiian-shirts

http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Identify-Vintage-Hawaiian-Shirts

I'll keep an eye out and, when I get a chance, ask my roommate - who is (almost) a vintage Hawaiian.

All I really know about them can be summed up as: make sure the pocket matches the pattern and don't tuck them in unless you're getting paid to.

Leaving shirts untucked isn't so much a matter of style as it is a matter of staying cool in the tropics, by the way. While tucking them in is a social faux pas, the same is true of ANY shirt here. Its a clear indication that either you do not live in the tropics or, if you do live here, that you are set in your mainland dressing habits - and likely other mainland habits, as well.

I see these guys all the time. Shorts too short and belted (or worse, elastic waisted), bright red or blue aloha shirt, white shoes, white socks and a light colored panama hat. They are usually agitated about something or talking loudly on the cellphone. Its easy to see that they are missing both the style and the point.

They are called Aloha shirts for a reason. Just like it takes a certain attitude to pull off wearing a 30's era suit and fedora, a different attitude to pull off a vintage safari style outfit or hollywood style "vintage" adventurer looks.... pulling off an Aloha shirt, in Hawaii at least, requires Aloha.

 

[Canadave]

...I occasionally wear to evoke the affect of Aloha shirts when I am on stage...

Whatcha doin' on stage?

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Thanks for the links. I've been surfing (HA! Aloha shirts. Surfing. I crack me up.) the 'net for info. I'll enjoy studying those sites.

make sure the pocket matches the pattern...

Actually, I have found that even on valuable vintage ones, this isn't always the case. But it is nice when they pattern match.

don't tuck them in unless you're getting paid to.

True! And funny, because there have been a couple times when I've been doing my caricature gigs and I had to tuck in order to put on a belly pack to hold my pens and money taken in while vending.