.png)
The Aloha Shirt: From Beachwear to Icon
DDP Aloha Shirts
I’ve loved Hawaiian shirts for as long as I can remember. My passion started years ago, even before I moved to the United States. I used to live in Milan, and next to my apartment was this little vintage shop that sold Aloha shirts and all sorts of American items. That’s where my collection began—a mix of bright colors, bold prints, and a sense of laid-back freedom that always appealed to me.
The Birth of a Cultural Icon
The Hawaiian shirt, or Aloha shirt, began its journey in Hawaii in the 1930s, a melting pot where cultures from Japan, the Philippines, China, and the West came together. Immigrants brought fabrics and fashion influences that laid the groundwork for what would become the Hawaiian shirt. Japanese kimonos with floral patterns, Filipino barong shirts, and traditional Hawaiian kapa cloth all played a part in its creation.
Ellery Chun and Alfred Shaheen were key players in the rise of the Aloha shirt. Chun, a Waikiki shop owner, coined the term “Aloha shirt” and began marketing these colorful garments to tourists, turning a local curiosity into a commercial hit. Shaheen, meanwhile, revolutionized the shirt by collaborating with artists and designers to create bold, vibrant prints that celebrated the islands’ multi-ethnic culture. His designs brought a new level of artistry to the shirt, making it more than just a souvenir—it became a statement piece that celebrated the spirit of Hawaii.
From Counterculture to Couture
In the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s, the Hawaiian shirt became a symbol of counterculture, embraced by hippies, surfers, and rebels who saw it as a way to break free from the constraints of traditional fashion. It was all about individuality and rejecting the norm. Hollywood played a big role, too, with stars like Elvis Presley in Blue Hawaii and Al Pacino in Scarface giving the shirt a cool, rebellious edge, or Tom Selleck in Magnum P.I. It became synonymous with freedom, whether it was an escape to a beach paradise or from the rules of society.
By the 1990s, luxury fashion brands like Etro, Pucci, and Versace began to reimagine the Hawaiian shirt, bringing it to high fashion runways. What was once beachwear turned into something you could wear to a stylish dinner or even to the office. The shirt’s versatility evolved, adapting to new settings and audiences, always keeping a touch of its carefree roots but ready to fit any occasion.
A Symbol of Escape and Freedom
The Hawaiian shirt has always carried a feeling of escape—whether from everyday life, societal norms, or even reality itself. It’s the perfect holiday garment, decorated with palm trees, hibiscus flowers, and scenes of white sandy beaches that transport the wearer to a carefree world. It’s also become a favorite in movies, dressing characters from retirees on golf courses to young lovers and even gangsters. No matter who wears it, the shirt always carries a sense of rebellion and freedom.
The Origins of Aloha Friday
By the 1960s, Aloha shirts had become deeply rooted in Hawaiian life, though not always in the bold and flashy way often associated with tourists. While visitors and surfers embraced the bright, colorful designs, locals favored more muted styles, like the "reverse print shirts" made by companies such as Reyn Spooner. Around this time, "Aloha Friday" emerged as a way to counter the formal dress codes introduced by missionaries and Western traditions. The goal was to allow people to wear more relaxed, comfortable attire at the end of the workweek, easing into the weekend. What started as a Hawaiian custom gradually developed into what is now known worldwide as "Casual Friday," a practice common in offices today.
Cocktail Shirts
Hawaiian shirts featuring cocktail designs are a popular subcategory within the world of Aloha shirts. These patterns reflect the connection between the tropical lifestyle, the tiki cocktail culture. The origin of these shirts with cocktail designs is closely tied to the tiki culture that spread across the United States in the 1930s and 1940s, reaching its peak popularity in the 1950s and 1960s.
Shirts featuring cocktail designs emerged as part of this lifestyle, evoking a sense of tropical "escape." They were created to celebrate and convey the allure of tiki bars, where elaborate drinks like the Mai Tai, Zombie, and the Kama’aina were served.
Hawaiian fashion companies, such as the renowned Reyn Spooner and the famous Duke Kahanamoku brand (named after the legendary surfer), were among the first to produce shirts with designs that included cocktails. These shirts were not only a tribute to the boom of exotic cocktails but also a symbol of the connection between island culture, travel, and surfing.
The idea behind these designs was to express the carefree, fun, and luxurious vibe of an exotic world, somewhere between the dreams of American tourists and the reality of the Pacific islands, often depicting palm trees, hula girls, and iconic tropical drinks. The first significant brand to create Hawaiian shirts with bold designs, including those featuring cocktail motifs,
Shaheen’s designs often featured motifs related to Hawaii’s vibrant lifestyle, which likely included cocktails and tropical drinks as part of the island's leisure culture.
Other prominent brands like Kahala, established in 1936, also contributed to the spread of Aloha shirts. These shirts evolved from traditional floral designs to include various themes, with cocktails becoming a playful, celebratory element in many patterns starting around the 1950s to 1960s as tourism and casual beachwear grew in popularity.
Kama'aina [ ddp 2014 ]
Ingredients :
2 oz Flor de Caña 12yo Rum
0.5 oz Saint James Agricole Rhum Blanc
1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
0.5 oz Cream of Coconut Reàl
1 oz Guava Nectar
1 oz Dan's Mix №9**
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
Method:
Shake with crushed ice
Pour unstrained into an empty coconut. [pictured above]
Add 2 dashes of bitters.
Garnish with an Orchid.
---
**How to make Dan's #9
Make 1 liter
900 ml Orgeat Syrup preferably homemade
100 ml Alamea Allspice Dram (or any Allspice Dram)
Blend
Bottle it
Tip: add a splash of fresh ginger juice
The Aloha Shirt Today
Today, the Aloha shirt continues to evolve. Designers and creative directors keep reinventing it, honoring its Hawaiian roots while making it fresh and relevant. It’s no longer just a souvenir; it’s a versatile piece that can fit almost any wardrobe. From casual Fridays at the office to luxury resort wear, the Hawaiian shirt adapts while maintaining its charm.
For me, collecting these shirts is not just about fashion—it’s about owning a piece of history. Each shirt tells a story, not just of Hawaii’s beautiful landscapes but of the diverse cultures that came together to create something unique. The Aloha shirt is more than a garment; it’s a celebration of creativity, individuality, and the spirit of aloha that continues to capture imaginations worldwide.
OLOKE MALUNA 🍹🌺
ZUMA
Here is a list of brands and websites where you can find original and vintage Aloha shirts:
1. Kahala
The oldest Aloha shirt brand, established in 1936.
2. Go Barefoot
One of the few remaining original Hawaiian shirt brands.
3. Vintage Aloha Shirts
Specializes in vintage Hawaiian shirts from the 1930s-1950s.
4. Kamehameha Garment Company
A classic brand known for its authentic designs.
5. Kona Bay Hawaii
Offers traditional Aloha shirts made with Fujiette Rayon from Japan. https://us.konabayhawaii.com)
6. Aloha Outlet
Features vintage Hawaiian shirts with retro prints.
7. Kalakaua General Store
Offers authentic Made in Hawaii shirts.
8.Avanti Hawaii
Known for high-quality Aloha shirts with vintage-inspired prints.
9. Hilo Hattie
Hilo Hattie has the largest selection of Men's Aloha Shirts all locally made in Hawaii.
10. Two Palms
Two Palms has been making Hawaiian Shirts since 1989. Two Palms specializes in men's Hawaiian shirts as well as a number of Women's island clothing options https://www.twopalmshawaii.com/
11. Tori Richard
Tori Richard has been making Hawaiian shirts since 1956. Based in Honolulu. https://toririchard.com/
Sources:
Aloha Shirt Book . Spirit of the islands by Dale Hope
DDP researches
🌺😎🍹🗿