Aloha from Hawaii

By Stephen Watson
August 9, 2011

Invented in Waikiki during the 1930s, the “Aloha” shirt—or what's more commonly known as the “Hawaiian shirt”—is a ubiquitous (and admittedly, oft-mocked) item of clothing that is quintessentially all-American. Based on casual work shirts, the utilitarian and durable style was adapted from garments worn by missionaries and early American pioneers visiting the islands. When locals reinterpreted the loose-fitting, short-sleeve style in patterned kimono fabrics and bright, locally-printed rayons and cottons, the irrepressible classic Hawaiian shirt was born.

Popular with tourists and native Hawaiians alike (they're considered formalwear locally), Hawaiian shirts took off back in the states after servicemen brought them home from serving in the Pacific during World War II. Having made appearances on public figures like Bing Crosby, Tony Curtis, and Elvis Presley, the brightly colored printed shirts were even sported by President Harry Truman while vacationing, and pictured on the cover of Life magazine in 1951.

Elvis Presley Plays Ukelele In 'Blue Hawaii' (photo by Paramount Pictures/Courtesy of Getty Images)

Recently the Hawaiian shirt has resurfaced once again, and the enduring style is being worn in new and exuberant ways. Even international designers have shown admiration for the Hawaiian style in recent fashion collections. Prada’s last two spring collections, including the whimsical, colorful banana and monkey prints for spring 2011 and the most recent menswear collection for spring 2012, both reflect the fun-loving island sensibility.

According to men's fashion site Mr. Porter, Hawaiian shirts are making a comeback on the streets of London. And GQ Senior Fashion and Market Editor Brian Coats says, “The Hawaiian shirt has become as iconic an item as the red jacket James Dean made famous. The best ones I've seen lately on the runway were from Gilded Age and Rag & Bone's spring fashion collections. They have a vintage, worn in look that make them cooler than your dad's version.”

With a nod to this very concept, the classic Hawaiian surf prep brand Reyn Spooner, founded in 1956, has recently been updated for a new generation. While vintage Reyn Spooner styles are considered collectibles, especially their ‘Reverse Print Popover’ style, the line is back with new items and a fresh look for a modern customer. (Note to eBay shoppers: There are currently approximately 2500 listings for "Reyn Spooner", 130 for vintage "Reyn Spooner" and for "reverse print Reyn Spooner".)

Prada Spring 2011 (photo by Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty images)

Prada

Prada Men's Spring 2012 (photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images)

Rag & Bone (courtesy Rag & Bone), a GQ editorial featuring the Gilded Age shirt (photo Peggy Sirota/GQ)

But it's not just new and collectible Hawaiian styles. A browse through eBay's 45,000 listings for "Hawaiian shirt" reveals everything from rayon styles from the '30‘s to '50s to eye-jarring, psychedelic versions from the '50s and '60s to punky, new wave prints of the '80s—many at wildly affordable prices.

The key to wearing a Hawaiian shirt and not looking like you just walked out of a Jimmy Buffett concert is, says GQ's Brian Coats, "to keep it slim—loose is great but it should not reach your knees. They always look good open worn with a tank or v-neck or under a jean jacket.” That's good advice—the fun Hawaiian shirt is perfect for warm summer days, but it's always wise to keep it cool.

On eBay, sales for "Hawaiian shirts" are up 33 percent in the past month compared to approximately one year ago. Here, a few of our favorites.