Hawaiian shirts in Europe
 

Aloha, <BR> <BR>I'm taking my first trip to UK, France and Italy and their usual big cities. <BR> <BR>Will I stick out like a sore thumb if I wear my Hawaiian shirts? <BR>They are very comfortable, somewhat wrinkle-free, easily washable, etc. <BR> <BR>I usually stick out anyway since I'm 6'4" and 245#. <BR>Suggestions? <BR>Mahalo

You'll be fine. Each year we meet German friends and this year it was Paris. Henning's day wear always includes a Hawaiian type shirt and a ball cap, same as it was in Luxembourg, Bremen, Cesky Krumlov etc.

hi

Blimey! I hope you're joking. In england they'll think you're a pro darts player! Just try and get into the ritz!

It's now 2002. My son likes wearing his "cool" hawaiian shirts over t'shirts. We are travelling to Germany and Switzerland. These shirts do pack well. Are they in still there? They are very popular here in Toronto.

A Fright! Please do not infect our beautiful Empire with your ragged American clothing.

&lt;Are they in still there?&gt;<BR>Actually they never have been in and I don't think they ever will! Ugh.

Lord Darlington is a complete MORON. Toronto is in CANADA. You should wear whatever makes you feel comfortable during sightseeing. And wear proper attire for dinners, etc. I have never known the Brits to be fashion trendsetters. Well, maybe they did invent the grunge look in the 70's.

Don't worry, it will be fine. <BR><BR>I think we all are way too concerned here about EXACTLY what to wear on our vacations. Truth is, it is more important to be respectful, polite, and appreciative of our surroundings. What we wear is who we are. It is very uncomfortable to pretend to be someone or something else. Wear your shirts or your colors, or your shorts. You will stick out more if you feel uncomfortable with who you are. Be polit, kind, and that's it.

Only if you have a washboard stomach, no love handles and nicely developed pectorals and biceps. Oh, and a tight butt also.

So, Oscar, with all those requirements - pray tell what do you wear?

Last spring when in Rome the stores all along Via Del Corso were featuring Hawaiian style shirts...in Europe American fashions are quite popular...and actually not everyone in Europe dresses stylish.

I think you'll do fine, bruddah. Just checking: What kind are you going to wear? The loud ones, or the Reyn's ones? The big HIC print kind, or the reversed-out-banker-type shirts? I would guess that since you're from Hawaii you have the nice, "cool" kind. I was in a couple of college towns in France & Germany a couple of years ago and they had aloha shirts in the store windows. They were definitely targeting the uber-cool young surf-skate-snow types, but the print was ugly.

Find out if you're a winter, spring, summer or fall so you can wear the appropriate colors with your skin type.....

Fine....only if you have no sense of pride whatsoever. In France you will be roundly ridiculed, if not to your face then certainly behind your back. It all depends on how thick your skin is and how much you care to blend into the local culture, which is actually a GOOD thing, since blending in makes you far less a target for petty theft, etc. But if your Hawaiian shirt is that important to you, then wear it, and bear the consequences. You'll no doubt be back on these boards three months hence whining about how badly you were treated in France and how you lost your wallet in italy and how the Europeans are frightful.

No problem at all. If you have friends in Europe like I do, they will beg you to send them some! They're quite popular but not readily available.

Hi<BR><BR>I've noticed increasing numbers of these shorts, worn with loud check shorts and nike trainers at the opera, 3* restaurants etc.<BR><BR>In fact, I think I saw a photo of chirac opening some public building in this attire.<BR><BR>So it certainly seems to be in here.<BR><BR>Don't forget the shade, cigar and camera.<BR><BR>Peter<BR>

Some of these responses are not helpful to kauai-dude at all. What do you think about wearing the shirts? No smart aleck replies necessary! <BR><BR>When I was in Italy last summer, people wore shirts with subtle tropical designs in subtle colors. They wore them with shorts or pants or skirts. They wore colors other than black and sometimes even (gasp) solid color (no ads or phrases) cotton shirts without collars. Women wore sleeveless tops or dresses in all sorts of colors and prints. <BR><BR>And guess what? A lot of these people were Italians! Take a few shirts with you and wear them if you feel like it.<BR><BR>And, xxx, someone I know who travels to Paris and other European cities many times a year was pickpocketted in Paris and they were dressed in black. Go figure.<BR><BR>

You know what, I think I will take my Hawaiian shirts too. I will be on the Big Island before I am in Italy this year, so I will get some, maybe two and wear them with white slacks. I will mix up my two favorite places, Sorrento and Kona! I will let you all know what happens!

Kauai_dude, I was serious in my response. They are admired but not readily available. I've sent several from Oahu to European friends at their request. By all means, wear it tastefully. Mahalo

Paul Smith has some really beautiful fine linen tropical shirts - around $200 to $250.<BR><BR>As for dress shirts - Thomas Pink has an incredible selection of dress shirts starting at $125.<BR><BR>

Kauai Dude, I am now in Munich and "Hawaiian" shirts are everywhere. The are selling baby aloha shirts in C&A! As I said earlier, the shirts here are mostly the ugly kind. But they are here, you won't look like a dork.<BR><BR>BTW, my tour guide today pointed out his friend was wearing an aloha shirt that he gave him. It was from ABC store!!

Go for it! As long as you are not heading to the Ritz for tea, you'll be fine. I've been a collector for years now and have always had a few with me on summer trips.I was actually offered 1000 francs in Buddha Bar for one of my favorites (don't think I was part of the deal). Had to say no but did meet a couple of interesting guys! Tino has it right: they just aren't that available in Europe but no less admired by the true aficionado.

Kal? save a clean one for the fireworks. Mahalo, bro.

You've convinced me, I'm packing my Tommy Bahama silk shirts and everyone on the Amalfi will love it!

I usually avoid these clothing threads (no pun intended)like the plague, but I would like to add that it seems to me that Hawaiian shirts (and skirts and bathing suits and other articles of clothing with Hawaiian prints) seem to be becoming very popular in many European countries. I've seen them in store windows (and on people) in England, Italy, and France in the past couple of years. My French plumber wears one often. For places where casual attire is appropriate, I think they're fine.