Do you mean in Hawaii? My DH and I wouldn't be caught dead in them, but others wear them.

I do mean in Hawaii! I don't want to match my husband or anything, but they look comfortable. Is it just tourists wearing them?

When my son worked in Hawaii, friday was aloha shirt day. Sure, the residents wear them. Flip-flops are also OK. They call them sandals there.

Not only do a variety of people wear them, but they were sold in the department stores (not tourist shops) I was in while on Oahu.

I personally did not bring or buy any Hawaiian clothes.

If you are ambivalent and uncertain about Hawaiian shirts/clothes, your local second hand store might have a special section of them. (Ours does.) If so, and if you find something you wanted to purchase, you could pack that and then not feel as if you wasted $$ should you decide not wear what you brought or if you found something better over there.

Aloha and have fun!

I think they're fun. I'll see how things look when I arrive.

Everybody wears them in Hawaii. No one wears a suit.

Lots of really nice high-end aloha shirts out there- are perfectly acceptable businesswear in Hawaii. Check out George Clooney's wardrobe in The Descendants.

Tori Richard makes some great men's stuff:

http://www.toririchard.com/browse.cfm/shop-mens/2,2.html

Reyn Spooner, Tommy Bahama are all nicer brands, too. Not everything is loud, floral, and ugly colors.

And these:

http://www.reynspooner.com/shop/classic-collection/classic-SpoonerKloth/

Placename: Fantastic! Where do you buy stuff for the ladies? (my husband isn't going to wear that, but I love it all!)

Lots of beautiful women's clothing. Tori Richards has some beautiful women's wear. Manuheali'i has more bold prints. Blue Ginger makes really comfortable washable clothing:

http://www.blueginger.com/

http://www.toririchard.com/browse.cfm/shop-womens/2,3.html

Also:

http://www.manuhealii.com/

Flip flops are also called slippahs.

Local Hawaiians wear "aloha" shirts all time. If you are going to Hawaii and are on vacation wear what is comfortable. FYI, I never wear shoes (including tennis shoes) I always wear flip flops - you have to take your shoes off when you enter people's houses. And I usually stay with relatives.

I'm going to love Hawaii! Mahalo!

I never expected to buy anything by Tommy Bahama but there was the perfect purse in the gift shop at the Four Season on the Big Island that I had to have. Absolutely loved it (now I'm wondering where it is...). Since then I've stopped in to the stores every now and then and still get their emails. Gorgeous stuff that is perfect for the tropics. A step up from the things you can get at Hilo Hattie's but both offer clothes you'll be comfortable in. Aside from that, pack natural fibers.

My husband has purchased great looking (not loud prints, made in Hawaii, nicely sewn--i.e. the pattern on the pocket matched the pattern on the rest of the shirt) aloha shirts at the Wal-Mart in Kailua (so the Walmarts on other islands probably have them too).

Macy's, Sears, all the department stores carry aloha shirts and women's tropical wear. It's daily wear in Hawaii.

I'm a fashion conservative but I love these patterns. I like starrs's idea of a printed purse...it'll brighten up all my 'city black' that I usually wear year round! Don't worry, I'll be bringing very little blackwear to Hawaii!

It wasn't a printed purse. It's a gorgeous straw bucket bag. Need to find it...

Very nice. Good luck in your search.

You'll have a great time shopping along Kalakau Avenue in Waikiki.

http://waikiki.com/shop.html

That's a great link, Placename. Thanks!

Photos of you in your Hawaiian attire and/or accessories will be expected upon your return.

Strike a pose.

Strike a pose.
------------------------------------------------------

Only if I'm holding a drink in a coconut shell with a little umbrella poking out the rim.

With a fragrant flower lei and a flower behind your ear. That's mandatory

Aloha shirts are daily business attire for men in Hawaii. Most commonly the type of aloha shirts worn are the ones that are somewhat subdued in print and color, like from Reyn's, Tori Richards, etc.

The loud and garish polyester aloha shirts you also sometimes see, usually worn by tourists walking around Waikiki or at a commercial luau and with a sense of humor and fun in mind.

Hilo Hattie also sells pretty nice aloha wear now - a definite improvement from what they sold when I was a kid.

Locals call flip flops slippers. What we call sandals are shoes that have a back strap or a slide type of shoe.

I am looking forward to this trip.

You are destined to become a Hawaii addict, just like the rest of us. Posting endlessly about our fealty to the islands. You'll find yourself having Hawaiian nights dinners for unsuspecting friends, wearing plumeria and pikake perfumes, drinking lava flows, wearing unusually colorful clothing.

Then there's the music.......

Iz.

My hubby has a lot of Hawaiian shirts, very low key, that he wears alot for casual gathering and I haave a whole set of things I keep for hawaii and wear also to casual local affairs. WE DO NOT wear Hilo Hattie matchy matchy things! Since we go every 18 months to 2 years, we get alot out of our aloha wear.....I wish they had nicer aloha shirts for women. They usually are very short in length and not nearly as nice as the men's wear.....TB has wonderful aloha shirts for men but not for women - IMHO.....going again in January so will pull out the goods and make sure they are still okay....

What's a lava flow?

starrs: What's lz?

I should clarify -- My DH loves his TB (and knock-off) shirts. It's the Hilo Hattie matchy matchy things (even if they don't match, we don't wear them)! I don't wear any of it, but that's me - a pair of shorts or capris, a pair of "slippers" and a tank top and I'm all set for both Hawaii and for summertime at home.

Lava flow (traditional drink of The Big Island tourist to honor Madame Pele)

http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/blogs/hawaii_today/2009/8/30/_lava_flow_hawaii_tropical_cocktail

IZ (the late, great Israel Kamakawiwo'ole)

http://www.mele.com/music/artist/israel+%22iz%22+kamakawiwo%60ole/alone+in+iz+world/

Placename said "Then there's the music......." I added "Iz".

Here's one surefire travel tip I defy anyone to challenge - download or buy the CD and listen to this (and his other songs) as you drive around Hawaii. It's a fabulous soundtrack to Hawaii road trips.

http://www.amazon.com/Over-The-Rainbow/dp/B002XTP5BA

Or tune into the local radio and hear that and more contemporary music. Gawd I love the music in Hawaii....

I like to sit on the beach with a small radio and earphones just to listen to the current local music while enjoying life....

Wow! Thanks! I am unfamiliar with the music of the late, great Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

Wait! I do know his music...well, I've heard his wonderful version of Over the Rainbow!

I will definitely try a lava flow or two. I am a tourist, after all.

It's always safest to appease Madame Pele.

Perhaps she has relatives that need appeasing too?

Pele has at least 4 brothers and sisters. Depends on the legend. However, Pele is VERY jealous. Don't be making any appeasements to her relatives without honoring her first.

For example, don't ever take any rocks home from The Big Island. Woe will befall you. Every year, the Hawaiian Volcano National Park service has boxes of rocks shipped back to them from those who were foolish enough to take some of the island home with them and rue the day.

Pele also appears to like gin, if you take account of the number of bottles of gin left to her in offering.

http://www.coffeetimes.com/pele.htm

Most definitely locals do wear aloha shirts (men mostly). They are even the uniform various places like serviceworkers at hotels or the airport. But they are more subduded colors, even faded (NOT hilo hattie style as already mentioned).

i dress similar to sf7307... knee length skirt or shorts or linencapris, with a tank top, cotton top, or plain tshirt, and sandals or slippahs (flip flops). i do have a beautiful Hawaiian floral print tote bag i picked up last trip from IMP.

<Only if I'm holding a drink in a coconut shell with a little umbrella poking out the rim.>

Easy enough to arrange!

IMO - and I first heard Izzy and his bra way back in '77 at a Waimanalo park concert (the Ukuleles looked like toothpicks in their hands) when I was about the only haloe - his Facing Foward album is the best. My niece also loved it and it became our traveling CD when driving all around the Western US. Love the song about Maui Superman, and Take me back to West Makaha, among others. Just fabulous stuff.

In fact - the poor thing is now warped and I have been trying to find another copy. see: http://www.e-hawaii.com/iz/israel-kamakawiwoole-guestbook-2003-archive

As for Aloha shirts - when I first went to Hawaii - the louder/more brightly colored ones were more de-regieur - but now it's softer tones - more designer stuff. But hey - you can also go to say Costco and find something.

Or even to Hilo Hattie's http://www.hilohattie.com/ - and there is one beyond Sam Choy's which is toward the airport from downtown Hono. http://www.samchoy.com/ They have the best Poli I have ever ordered in a restaurant - as good as we make at home.

And as far as drinks with a little umbrella - some like Mai Tai's - and they are good (usually Rum based) - but I prefer the coconut/vodka based Chi-Chis - which is like a Pina Coloda - but again - with vodka instead of rum. http://www.food.com/recipe/chi-chi-or-chichi-alcoholic-mixed-drink-104374

Oops. Typo - that's haole. And as far as slippers - my friends in Hawaii say they have two pairs: One for the beach/everyday wear - and one for dressy occasions.

Dang - typo two. That's Poke. see: http://www.aroundhawaii.com/lifestyle/around_town/2010-02-poke-paradise-experiencing-the-best-poke-around-hawaii-part-ii.html

Shar, I have three silk-like tropical-print blouses that I bought at Macy's on three different trips to Oahu. I thought the two I had were enough, but last summer they had one in coral with a cream palm frond print that was just so gorgeous that I had to have it, too. I wear them at home as well as over there.

Now a Chi-Chi sounds exactly like what I would like. Too bad this trip is so far away.

Suck 'em up!!!!

Iz rules. If the CD is going out, download from Amazon.

I listen to Maui radio most days while sitting in my office in Texas.

I have several shirts that look like Clooney's from the descendants.

People in Hawaii really do say "mahalo" and the like.

I love Hawaii.

Iz isn't the only musician in Hawaii. Listen to streaming radio all the time. KPOA my favorite, but others are good.

http://www.hawaiiradiotv.com/MauiRadio.html

www.mele.com to listen to a great assortment of music.

Shar
Women can buy men's aloha shirts in smaller size for themselves-done all the time, especially if you are clever and shop the Goodwill.

I you REALLY want a cool aloha shirt, you can get one here:

http://alohashirts.com/

It is a dark little store, though and difficult to see what you are looking at.

Anthony Bourdain went there and bought an antique aloha shirt, but his choice was rather ugly, in my opinion.

It IS like wearing white trainers in Europe actually. Everyone on travel forums says not to do it, but when you are there it's what all the locals wear!!!

Another source for very cool aloha shirts- locally designed and locally made:

http://www.sigzane.com/store/home.php?cat=248

This black one is one of the most handsome aloha shirts I've ever seen. As you can see, it was very popular. They will be replenishing their stock real soon.

http://www.sigzane.com/store/product.php?productid=19785&cat=272&page=1

Does anyone recall the interview with George Clooney when he said to a crew member the first time he walked out of his trailer on the Descendants that he would never get laid again. He had future comments about waisted khakis and aloha shirts tucked in that challenged his masculinity.

But no one actually wears them tucked in. Unless your boss says you have to.....

BTW- All of Clooney's clothing on The Descendants was from Tori Richards. They have wonderful stuff.

It is very common business attire for men to wear aloha shirts tucked into slacks - I see shirts much more often tucked in than not downtown. When it's not tucked in IMO it kind of looks like they work at a hotel.

In a casual dress situation the shirt is almost always untucked and paired with khakis, shorts or surf shorts. And slippers.

Atually - Anthony Bourdain is not the "model" type - nor the most pleasant of lads. If you are really stressed about what to wear - just buy a few items before you go and then go shopping at the big Ala Moana Shopping Center, wherever. Ala Moana is only about 10 minutes from Waikiki and has plenty of parking, and is interesting to boot. http://www.alamoanacenter.com/Stores/Alphabetical-Listing.aspx

Aloha shirts manufactured for local wear are considered formal wear in business and government, and thus are regarded as equivalent to a shirt, coat, and tie (generally impractical in the warmer climate of Hawaii) in all but the most formal of settings.[1] Malahini (newcomers) and tourists (visitors) often wear designs of many bright colors while Kamaʻāina (or those who have been living in the islands for a long time) seem to prefer less busy patterns. These shirts often are printed on the interior, resulting in the muted color on the exterior, and are called "reverse print". For those not familiar, it may appear to be a defect in manufacturing as the shirt appears to be sewn together inside-out.

Reyn Spooner makes shirts with a reverse print look. It gives them a faded, worn look. An example:

http://www.reynspooner.com/shop/classic-collection/classic-SpoonerKloth/ocean-voyage-2607.html

Personally - I think the reverse print look is as bad as ripped jeans. Give me a nice, designer - soft toned Aloha shirt and I be happy. Actually - some of my law school classmates were wearing dress-polo type shirts when I was last over there a couple of years ago. Who knew?

They joke about keeping a white shirt and a tie and sport coat in their office closet - just in case they have an unexpected appearance in court.

And BTW - it takes a long long time for any non-resident to truly be considered a Kama'aina, if ever.

All of my left-handed particle physicist friends in Hawaii wear the reverse print shirts.

That's proves it's a lousy fashion statement.

Then my husband might be persuaded...

LOL.

carolyn... did you buy your shirts at Macy's in hawaii or on the mainland. Hvae not seen any on the mainland where I live.....

See if you can find a Tommy Bahama's somewhere before you go.

http://www.tommybahama.com/

Chepar's info is correct.

Real men wear Aloha shirts to work and to dressy events. You will only see suits on lawyers appearing in courtrooms.. The dressier men's shirts are usually oxford cloth (kind of stiff) and definitely reverse printed or muted colors.

You can get some nice ones at Costco for under $20 or get nicer ones at Macy's or Reyn's. Here are some locals at a school trustee board meeting (including billionaire Pierre Omidiyar, founder of eBay)

http://www.punahou.edu/page.cfm?p=3308

Aloha shirts are tucked in unless they are worn with shorts or at very casual events.

Women wear aloha print outfits too; tops or sundresses are usually cut like the clothing you'd see in other cities, but out of aloha fabric.
http://www.blueginger.com/Mandarin_Dress_p/hl151-wop.htm

Flip flops are called slippers, or rubber slippers if being specific. Nothing says "visitor" more than calling them flipflops! Well, walking into a home with them on your feet screams "visitor."

Shar, I bought them at Macy's in Hawaii at the Ala Moana Shopping Center, on the second floor where the Pineapple Room is located. It's an Alan Wong restaurant and a lovely place to have lunch. If you go, don't miss the pineapple tea.