UNIFORM | The Hawaiian Shirt


Photo by Mister Mort

Hawaiian shirts are hot items—and I sincerely hope I'm not saying that because I've fallen into some sort of permanent Southern California haze that I can't see beyond. Aloha shirts have come back into fashion for guys for a few years now, but of course have consistently and rightly been "a thing" for some of us, especially vintage clothing experts, ever since they were popularized by G.I.s returning home from Hawaii. Much more recently though, I've been seeing Hawaiian shirts on girls and forward-thinking brands marketing them as unisex or even solely for women. There's the Whit for Madewell collection (not pictured), the just-released unisex KISSES X Arrowhead aloha shirt ($60), and the unisex Levi's Vintage Clothing 1950s Hawaiian Shirt ($210). What do you think, yes or no on Hawaiian shirts this summer?

Comments

Joy said…
these are freaking awesome.
Remington's said…
YEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
I saw the Levi's vintage Hawaiian shirt the other day - it's very fine.
Elena said…
YES.
I just haven't found the perfect one yet, but I bought a lovely hawaiian t-shirt from Maison Scotch's men collection.
I've always totally loved Hawaiian shirts! Louise
I used to wear Hawaiian shirts in middle school when they were "cool" and since assumed it was only done now by old men at beaches.
This just proved me wrong...and now I want one!
Thel said…
I have always been a fan. I love vintage and I love vintage kitsch.
Gwendolyn said…
Totally epic!!!! :D
Claire said…
yes!!!!! i totally feel you on these, hawaiian shirts always look effortlessly awesome when worn by someone with a sense of style
Sasha said…
If I find the right one for me, then YES! I love the picture of the shirt paired with cut-offs and I think it look just as good with a pair of crisp white jeans.
Once Was a Girl said…
Hey there TbS,
For a preppy take on the Hawaiian shirt, google Reyn Spooner. They were d'rigueur for the west coast prepster in the 80's. My hubby sported them all through college. Also, in Honolulu, the RS was the tropical "suit and tie" for all white collared professionals, attorneys, engineers, business man etc. George Clooney wears them well in The Descendents.
Best,
Charlotte
Rachel Wrong said…
I'll be honest, I used to think they were cheesy and totally dismissed them. However, after a friend showed me his Hawaiian shirt collection and waxed on about how awesome they were, I decided to pick one up. It's amazing. It's like wearing a tropical breeze.
ita darling. said…
I have been contemplating the Van Doren hawaiian print shoes for summer.. not a committment like a whole shirt. but just enough..
http://shop.vans.com/catalog/Vans/en_US/style/scq7ss.html?categoryId=152606&colorCode=SCQ7SR
http://shop.vans.com/catalog/Vans/en_US/style/qevvdr.html?categoryId=152606&colorCode=QEV6G4
Livvy said…
This post came at the perfect timing!
I found an silk Hawaiian shirt at my local thrift store and was wondering how to go about styling it.
Tinder said…
definitely yes for summer! love the OP's tip re Reyn Spooner, really subtle not garish. would love to find similar vintage versions for me as well as hubby. ditto shoes/bags a good option, has been my go-to for a hint of hawaii. american eagle used to do pretty nice shirts/surf style about a decade or so ago.
Anonymous said…
awesome

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