Hawaii wardrobe/packing dilemas!
 

Hello all! 9 more days until I leave to meet my husband in Hawaii!! We're both getting very excited!

One last minute question: I need to pack for both of us and will be traveling alone so I am trying to pack as lightly as possible. For my husband, will we need A) Khaki/dress pants or B) Dress shoes for him? I had planned to bring jeans, lots of shorts and swim trunks, with some button down shirts for dinners, sandals and running shoes. Are Khaki shorts, button down shirt and sandals appropriate for dining out? We want to do a few nice dinners but don't plan on going too fancy/expensive. I just don't want to be turned away somewhere because my husband isn't dressed appropriately. Can anyone offer advice?

Thanks!!

Yes, khakis and a button down shirt and sandals are very appropriate. Hawaii is pretty casual. My husband and I go for 9 days with a carry on for each of us. I roll and tie my outfits and put my underware and my swim suits in gallon size zip lock bags and squeeze the air out. Works like a space bag. I pack bermuda shorts and tank tops. They take less space. I refuse to pay 40$ extra to check baggage! Call me cheap but thats a dinner for me. I hate lugging that big heavy suitcase , also. I'm leaving for Maui in 19 days and will once again take a carry on. Have a wonderful trip!

wife and I just paid on-line $15 per bag..save $5 going on-line and if I could get my wife to do a carry-on, that would be a major fete..
we go to fancy restaurants but not every night and I dress in a Hawaiian shirt with khakis/shorts with slaps and its just fine.
If I remember, Alan Wong's in O'ahu, you need a sports jacket but that could of changed.
What island are you going to and what restaurants?
We just got back from Kauai at the Grand Hyatt and it was sublime.
Aloha to you!

I wear a pair of shoes for getting through the airport, then switch to sandals and shorts on the plane. I take a pair of clean sox for the return trip, and one pair of long pants for special dinners. I wear aloha shirts and shorts every day, every place. Simple.
David

Thanks everyone!

ksucat-we are splitting our time between the Hale Koa on Oahu and the Sheraton on Maui. Haven't picked specific restaurants, I think we might play it by ear. I have read so many posts on here and there seem to be lots of good ones! So I have my lists. Do "slaps"=flip flops/sandals?

mumpsimus-hubs is coming from Iraq and will only have his army boots and running shoes, so still debating on packing khaki pants and brown leather shoes, or just making him live with the khaki shorts and leather sandals.

:)

In my experience, sandals are fine in any restaurant, even the ones that prefer that gentlemen wear "a collared shirt and long pants." Aloha shirts are also perfectly acceptable. That said, there's nothing WRONG (i.e., incorrect) about khaki pants and brown leather shoes. But golly, Hawai'i is a place to relax and let your mental strings slacken. And please, extend my most profound thanks to him for serving in Iraq.

David

Oh, one more thing. Flip flops do require some time to break in, and can wear the skin between the toes until they conform to the foot. If he's not used to them, take some small bandaids as a precautionary measure and put them on before he gets chafed.
David

Great advice David!! Thanks for your thoughtfullness and kind words, I will definitally extend your well wishes to him! He teases me about these forums and all the research I've done and guide books I've bought. But hey, at least we'll be prepared! And I think I'll leave the shoes home, he has big feet!

Yes, leave the shoes home! After wearing army boots, he'll be so happy to just wear sneakers and sandals. My husband is the "Hawaiian shirt and khakis (shorts or pants) and sneakers everywhere" type. We don't tend to eat in fancy restaurants in Hawaii, though.

Since no one said this already....NO JEANS!! Lol. For the plane jeans are fine but you will be sweaty and uncomfortable wearing them around town. Forget it. And from the seasoned flip-slop wearer, best bet on flip flops is a pair where the seam on the part between the toes faces out. When the seam is facing the inside of the toes, it can sometimes rub. Even better is cloth or ribbon between the toes.

Happy Travels! Enjoy. Get some sand between the toes and toast your reunion with some mai tais! Aloha.

click here to know more



dis iz spark/...........

Jeans are too hot for me in Hawaii.

For a man - sandals, decent shorts, polo or aloha shirt, is fine for most anywhere. One pair dress pants maybe, but no dress shoes! Both people have sneakers since you'll likely be doing a lot of walking. For a woman - sandals, shorts, various tops, capris, skirt or sundress optional. Don't forget the bathing suits! Something to lounge/sleep in.

Oh, and possibly one light sweater or something for air-conditioned spaces. I agree with suze - wear the jeans on the plane, then leave them in the suitcase!

You do not need a sports jacket at Alan Wongs in Oahu. It is quite casual. A nice pair of pants and a shirt will do. I would recommend this restaurant highly. I would not pack jeans. Hawaii is quite warm, especially Honolulu. Sneakers are a must since you will want to take in many sights. Don't overpack. Again, Hawaii has become very casual. If you are visiting Kauai almost all restaurants are casual.

You might want to check, lots of the hotels have a for-pay coin-op laundry room available. When that's the case, I pack for 1/2 the trip and spend a few hours mid-trip doing a load of wash (while laying by the pool!).

Please report back on the Sheraton - am considering staying there next year. And many thanks to your husband for his service - have a wonderful trip!

Thanks everyone for your comments!

laurieb I will definitally be writing a trip report including our stay at the Sheraton, but it will be my first so everyone has to go easy on me! Stay tuned...

spark26: It is customary to state what is in your link, so we have some idea before clicking.

I think you could leave the jeans at home altogether. They are heavy to pack. Just bring khakis or similar pants for him for dinners.

Have a delightful and safe trip.

Can only speak for Kauai, but hubby had one pair of khakis, rest shorts/tees. Had aloha shirts too. I took one long cotton dress, rest capris and tops.

Don't stress, you will have a wonderful time. Wishing you and your hubby a marvelous vacation.