On Hawaiian Shirts
When I think of Hawaiian shirts, I imagine short-sleeved button-ups with flamboyant floral prints, and maybe a girl in a coconut bra and grass skirt. Not gonna lie, I used to think they were pretty tacky. And if you're talking about the cheap ones from H&M, they probably are. But Hawaiian shirts actually have a rich history, and many feature more muted, meaningful, and tasteful prints that reflect Hawaii’s cultural heritage.
Known as the “Aloha shirt” in Hawaii, they originated from Hawaii’s large Japanese population. It was born when local tailors started using surplus kimono fabric to make short-sleeved shirts inspired by Western styles.
The shirt gained mainstream popularity through the Aloha Friday movement, which challenged Western colonization through clothing by wearing the Aloha shirt every Friday. It offered a more breathable, climate-appropriate alternative to the suit and tie, while also serving as a symbol of local pride and identity.
