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Aloha Shirts

2019.12.10
  • Scot Matsuo
  • Culture|Others
  • 2019

Some people call them ‘Hawaiian shirts’ but the correct name is Aloha Shirt.

They are considered formal wear in Hawaii and many people wear them to work every day. There are many kinds of styles and materials used to make them. Actually, the first Aloha shirts were made of silk. Now, they are made of cotton, polyester, rayon, and silk. One signature feature of many of the ‘Aloha Shirts’ is that the main printed side of the material is not facing outside like most shirts but facing the inside to give a more subtle, relaxed look.

 

The designs on the Aloha shirts reflect the scenes and the aspects of Hawaii that make it a tropical paradise. Patterns in the fabrics range from various themes and motifs, and the colors range the gamut of all the colors on a palette. Popular styles include the famous landmarks in Hawaii, such as Diamond Head, Waikiki, or beautiful mountain ranges to ocean vistas. Others display natural beauty famous in Hawaii, such as pineapples, palm trees, surfers on waves, fish, flowers, and other flora or fauna. Also, prints from ‘tapa’ cloth, or the traditional Hawaiian clothes, are popular along with prints of the royal family of Hawaii, the Kamehameha monarchy.

 

In the US, there is a business trend called ‘Casual Friday’. Have you heard of it before? It is where, the company allows its workers to wear more ‘casual’ clothes like jeans or relaxed collared shirts to work on Fridays. Actually, ‘Casual Friday’ or ‘Aloha Friday’ in Hawaii, was started in Hawaii. Aloha shirt makers lobbied politicians and business leaders to allow aloha shirts to be worn to work on Fridays, which better matched the tropical weather of Hawaii compared to suits and ties.

 

I like Aloha Shirts because I like the relaxed designs and I feel I can bring a piece of Hawaii to the students I meet. Did you know that in Hawaiian, Aloha has many meanings? It can mean, “Hello” or “Good-bye” or “Welcome” or “Love/I love you.” If you break the word down, the literal meaning is ‘Alo’ means ‘facing or the presence of’ and ‘ha’ means ‘breath’. So, having the Aloha Spirit means having a care for oneself and sharing that warmth from your insides with others, without expecting anything in return. Please talk to me about Aloha shirts more the next time you see me and I will be happy to share more about what it means to have the Aloha Spirit.

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