Hawaiian Shirts - Aloha Shirts

[Smyat]

...and notice there is no pattern change when looking at the pocket. Having the pocket cut exactly to the flow of the pattern makes alot of difference.

I assume you mean in general. This shirt does not have a matched pattern to the pocket. It's a nice blend, but not matched.

 

[Edward]

I certainly wouldn't shell out $700 for an Hawaiian shirt but I suppose it's horses for courses.

Well, you wouldn't get much wear out of it up there, would you?

I have a vintage one tucked away somewhere, might have to dig it out and put it up for auction!

Ah, now that has to be the other vintage dream: finding you have a whole bunch of stuff you're not into that is worth a fortune..... (all very well your own stuff being worth a fortune, but is it ever really worth anything if you're not prepared to part with it? ).

 

[Paisley]

Several years ago, Oprah Winfrey showed her audience a shirt that one of her personal shoppers had bought for her. It was a $1,500 blouse. She told them to return it because to her, no blouse was worth $1,500.

Unless the shirt is an artifact, it's just clothing.

 

[BellyTank]

You're right- it is an artifact.

B
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[Fletch]

I feel that way. If something becomes such a hot collectible as that, I don't want it in the first place — I'll happily be a repro wearer or nonwearer.

In addition, this type of item tends to be a little too obviously iconic, which would just make me feel like part of a crowd, distinguished more by their money than their individuality.

 

[dr greg]

iconic is OK

I'l wear the real deal over a repro anyday, because if I've got the authentic thing on, I can be assured that there's no one in at least a 1000 miles wearing the same outfit. But that's just me, most people don't care about such things.

 

[The Wingnut]

If a hawiian shirt is an artifact, then just about everyone posting on the Lounge has a museum in their closet.

I've got one vintage aloha shirt. I wear it sparingly...I find them obnoxious. Bermuda shorts, black socks, sandals, a big 35mm SLR, and a fishing hat, and I'll be set. Too stereotypical tourist. I brought a set of spectators, some off-white trousers and all of my aloha shirts with me to Hawaii...that's where they're appropriate.

Paying exorbitant prices for casual wear defeats its purpose...you pay that for something you're supposed to lounge around in, you won't be able to lounge around in it with any peace of mind.

 

[BellyTank]

BAD Aloha shirts are "typical tourist".
The shirt in question is "a collectible".
It is an artifact of modern culture.

"From here to Eternity", not tourist tacky.

B
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[mister7]

Climbin Hawaiian!

This shirt, which I bought new in the early eighties, is probably worth several hundred dollars. I know it is a highly collectible item among climbers, although I am certain to have reduced its value by wearing it all the time.

 

[A.R. McVintage]

Gotta agree with BT here, The Wingnut.

To see an aloha shirt and have the first mental association be this:

Instead of this:

This:

This:

And this:

Well, that means you have some boning up to do on this important part of mid-century American culture that, while exisiting in the states since the '20s/'30s hit enmasse with American G.I.s returning from the Pacific theatre of the war and reached its apex in the '50s to the mid-'60s in everything from home decor, architecture, dining, and yes, the cocktail and the cocktail party which, contrary to the "Golden Age" section of the forum is this time period, not the '30s/'40s.

This shirt represents an iconic piece of American cultural heritage, and, being from the '40s, is even more significant for its ties in bringing that culture home from vets returning from abroad.

 

[BellyTank]

Welcome to you, A.R. McVintage.

And thank you for that post.

B
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[A.R. McVintage]

Thanks for the welcome and the compliment, BT!

 

[The Wingnut]

I'm aware of the heritage of the aloha / Hawaiian shirt, I've had to do research with regards to a few pieces in my closet. I don't need a reeducation on the postwar surge of tropical culture.

I'm also painfully aware of the modern application of and stigma attached to such garments and would rather avoid being caught up in such things. Most people can't tell the difference between a late '30s rayon King-Smith and an ABC Stores poly/cotton job fresh off the plane.

 

[A.R. McVintage]

I'm aware of the heritage of the aloha / Hawaiian shirt, I've had to do research with regards to a few pieces in my closet. I don't need a reeducation on the postwar surge of tropical culture.

I'm also painfully aware of the modern application of and stigma attached to such garments and would rather avoid being caught up in such things. Most people can't tell the difference between a late '30s rayon King-Smith and an ABC Stores poly/cotton job fresh off the plane.

"Most people" also think that Jerry Springer, The View, Bill O'Reilly, etc. are good television. So who cares what other people think? Why dress in a vintage style if you do?

 

[dhermann1]

I have a number of Hawaiian shirts, all modern, and I love them. I've maintained a rule never to pay more than $10 for one, tho this year that went up to $20. I like my shirts, but they're only fairly snazzy. I've seen the insanely expensive ones, and if I let myself I could easily go totally crazy. The passion for me is very connected to my passion for vintage ties. I tend to go slightly nuts whenever I see a Hawaiian shirt with old ships on it, or woody station wagons. I have one with little floatiing tropic islands, woody station wagons, and hula girls holding surfboads over their heads. I know, makes no sense whatsoever, but I love it. Now that I have my Vietnamese pith helmet, I try to find occasins where I can go out in the blazing sun with my Aloha shirt and pith helmet. It's a fashion statement. lol

 

[Hugh Beaumont]

I grew up in Hawaii and also collect Aloha Shirts. I now live in Indiana and I sure miss the days of going to garage sales in Hawaii and finding rare gems tossed in some box full of old clothes.

It happened more often than not. I knew if the garage sale was hosted by an elderly Japanese couple, there was going to be a cool old rayon Aloha shirt (or two) somewhere.

 

[cowboy76]

What made this shirt go so high?

A person with deep pockets and dough that burns a hole in them!! A fool and his money are soon parted!:eusa_doh:

 

[BellyTank]

Rare, vintage Aloha shirts are highly collectible- that is a fact.

Things that are highly collectible are worth whatever the market says.

B
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[cowboy76]

Rare, vintage Aloha shirts are highly collectible- that is a fact.

Things that are highly collectible are worth whatever the market says.

B
T

Oh yes, they certainly are, but seriously, so are bottlecaps and matchbooks to the right fellow. Its the same thing.

My father had a good point when he taight me, "its only worth, what someone's willing to pay for it!" Most people these days, just can't grasp this simple truth.

That's why you can't accurately gauge things by Ebay prices. Too many variables.

One day a shirt sells for $700,..a week later the same shirt sells for $100 bucks or less. I've seen it happen, I've been on both sides.
That's why people at swap meets selling car parts, folks with vintage clothing at shops or flea markets that tell you they can get this, or that much on Ebay dont have any business selling their wares APART FROM Ebay. Ebay you are selling to the world,...at a swap meet, flea market or local shop, you're selling to a small mix of people from a certain region, certain economic structure, etc.... period,...and that's just the way the cookie crumbles in the real world. Ebay can be good, and it can be bad,....its been both for me and many I know. Common sense should rule, but often times greed and ignorance prevail.:eusa_doh:

 

[BellyTank]

My father had a good point when he taight me, "its only worth, what someone's willing to pay for it!" Most people these days, just can't grasp this simple truth.

That's why you can't accurately gauge things by Ebay prices. Too many variables.

One day a shirt sells for $700,..a week later the same shirt sells for $100 bucks or less. I've seen it happen, I've been on both sides.

aught you right- if someone will pay $700 for a shirt, then that's what it's worth- o the guy who bought it- not to a bottle cap collector, of course.
But then the bottle cap collector is not in the market for vintage Aloha shirts... why should he care anyway..?

I watch eBay too, have been for years and I'd be very surprised to see a shirt like that go for only $100. In fact, I'd have to buy it. $100 is peanuts- money's worth nothing.


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