We will be spending 5 nights on Oahu, 5 nights on Maui in April. Can we get by with just one or two dressy outfits? Will my husband need a coat/tie? We really don't like to dress up, especially on vacation. I realize there's no exact answer, but some generalities about Hawaiian dress will be appreciated. Thanks!

Wear short, t-shirts, and lots of polyester and you'll fit in just fine.

a nice pair of slacks and an aloha shirt (not a screaming loud one, please!)and decent shoes will do for your husband at all but one or two restaraunts here. For you, a pretty sun dress with nice sandals or a dressy pair of pants and nice top will be fine. Bring a sweater or wrap though, as many restaraunts are cold.

Unless you plan on going to ritzy restaurants, decent pants and shirt will be fine for both of you. I lived in Hawaii for three years and never dressed up - just didn't need to!

Ooooh! Ooooh! And don't forget the crispy pink jogging suits and blastingly bright white tennies!!

Oh wait - that's Europe. Sorry.

As posted by some people, there are some sarcastic remarks about sloppy Americans. I have to agree with that. I like dressing up special occasions. I can't give advice on Hawaii but when I went to Florida, I wore, about 3 times, a short sundress or dress and it felt good to dress. Dare to be different and care about what you look like and make a good impression.

Suggest wearing a tunic - perfect for both the beach and those dress-up occasions (when accessorized properly).

What do you mean by a "tunic"?

Thanks to those of you who answered my question constructively. For the record, I dress up every day for work (dress/suit, pantyhose, high heels etc) so I hope you can understand why I'm reluctant to do so on vacation. Make a good impression on other tourists in a place I will probably never see again. You must be joking, right? The reason I asked the question was to get a feel for the overall dressiness of the islands. We want to dress comfortably, but appropriately.

Lenore, the Hawaiian islands are extremely casual as far as clothing goes. The only exception, and this is just common sense, is if you'd like to go to an extremely elegant, expensive restaurant, in which case I wouldn't recommend the standard shorts and teeshirt! Other than that, though, just relax, be casual, and enjoy yourselves! Loose-fitting, comfortable casualwear is welcome everywhere. I do the standard dress-up-for-work routine 5 days a week, too, so I'm sympathetic. It's your vacation and you're paying for it, so do what makes you comfortable!

Lenore:

Since when is wearing a sundress w/no pantyhose and some sandals really going out of your way to dress?

Having been to Hawaii many times we've never felt it necessary to "dress up" for anything. I am not saying we go out looking like slobs, no, but we don't wear the kinds of clothes we wear to work at home. A nice sundress and sandals can take you anyplace on the islands. Your husband does not need a tie/coat - a nice shirt, pants for the better places is fine. The islands are extremely casual - loose fitting, colorful clothes are the norm. A sweater can come in handy with the a/c in some places.

Stephanie - Your comments suggest that I am a "sloppy American" who will not dress appropriately. I never said I wouldn't wear a sundress and heels. There is a big diffence between a sundress and a cocktail dress or a polo shirt & khakis versus a coat and tie. The reason I posted the question was so we'd pack the right outfits for our Hawaiian vacation. If I really don't care about how I look, I would not have posted to begin with! Lighten Up!

Lenore, I would pack a few pairs of cute cropped pants, perhaps one of the great Lilly Pulitzer prints, or new toile print, and another in solid black or white. That with a sleeveless sweater and shawl would be perfect. Also a wrap skirt with a tank top is nice too. These types of outfits would take you anywhere and you could mix and match them. This way you could wear the tops with shorts and not have to pack so much. I'm not partial to "sundresses" myself.

Your husband could even get away with linen shorts and a button down shirt at most restaurants. Khaki's are a safe bet at even the most elegant places and I would have him take a jacket, just in case. It never hurts for him to wear it on the plane in case you do decide to go to a very elegant restaurant. Don't think a tie is necessary though!

Lenore, I strongly disagree with your last posting. Kindly re-read the last few posts and I think you will find that you have been too harsh with your comments. First of all, you seem to have confused Stephanie with Lori, who were probably both trying to be helpful. No one ever suggested that you were a sloppy American. In fact, it was Lori who said "I am not saying we go out looking like slobs" indicating that she was talking about herself, and not you. So maybe you're the one who needs to lighten up. By the way, are you related to Celeste?

No Judy, it is you who is confused! You may want to take your own advice and read Stephanie and Lori's posts again. (Hint: start from the top!) Anyway, thanks for all the help ladies.

Lenore, Hawaii is much more casual than most of the mainland. "Island wear" would be appropriate for dinner at most restaurants with very few exceptions. Coat & tie or evening wear is really unnecessary. Collared shirts and slacks for men and casual dresses for women are fine. I usually bring several sarongs and wear them with blouses/tank tops and a pair of nice sandals. My husband brings his aloha shirt collection and wears them with some casual slacks. Tommy Bahama has a great line of beautiful subdued, silk aloha shirts. Also, Hilo Hatties (believe it or not) has their own line of nice, toned down silk aloha shirts for about half the price, but you'll have to wait until you get to Hawaii to buy one unless you live in one of the few mainland cities with one nearby.