What to wear for tropics?
 

I will be heading to Hawaii in June and would like some ideas on the best fabric for this "tropical" climate. Cotton, linen or silk shirts and pants? <BR>Any ideas on where to purchase the best clothing along theses lines?

Orvis.com

Orvis is good as is LL Bean. Bean has a travel catalog you can order from their on line site.

cotton shorts, aloha shirt, sandals or tennis shoes, head gear.<BR><BR>might try hilohattie.com for your aloha wear or go out shopping your first morning in the islands.

silk is hot. I would wear Aloha shirt & shorts for male & sundresses & short & tanks or Tee for female<BR>Linen wrinkled too mucj & doesn't travel well. Stick with cotton

I second Hilo Hattie or find some nice Tommy Bahama close to home. Don't be caught dead wearing Orvis wear in Hawaii unless you are planning to scale Mauna Kea in January. They are into rugged outerwear and other attire suited for cold weather destinations. You'll stick out like a duck out of water.

I agree...go shopping when you get there! Went last summer with my husband and he bought so many Hawaiian shirts...it is the only thing you will be cool in. <BR><BR>Also, shorts, shorts, shorts..<BR><BR>Unless you are planning to eat at a very fancy restaurant, then you might wear long pants! but only with a Hawaiian shirt!<BR><BR>You can find good deals on Hawaiian shirts at the ABC store chain! Otherwise, Hilo Hattie. Trust me, you won't want to wear anything else!<BR><BR>Enjoy!

you can find nice aloha wear anywhere in your Macy's Lord and Talylor shops. Tommy Bahama really does breath well. Don't bother with the suit thing. You will bring formalwear and then bring it back home unworned. Take whatever is comfortable and fashionable and feels good. The rest of the time you'll be in a swimsuit or shorts. Have fun

Linen wrinkles if you merely look at it.

Tommy Bahama all the way. They sell it at Nordstrom too. I think you could bring one pair of slacks for formal wear and the rest of the time you'll want to be in shorts and swimsuits. Aloha formal is slacks and a nice Hawaiian shirt. A very few places require a jacket, La Mer in the Halekulani on Oahu, for example. If you are not planning on such upscale dining you'll do fine in shorts and Hawaiian shirts every day.

second the tommy bahama comment. they look nice, but synthetics just don't breath. buy natural fiber clothing, preferably cotton.

Some items I find helpful are a rain jacket for hikes in breif showers, Light hiking boots, thick soled sandles, wide brim hat one that travels well. Thick White cotton socks for inside the boots. At least one pair of light jeans for hiking. You want one or appropriate sweaters for Haleakela (Maui)(sunrise) or Volcano Big Island at night on .<BR><BR> Silk is a bit sticky during day time in June here I think even though clothing stores sell it on the island. A couple of bathing suits. We found a nice tericloth short robe was nice at the beach. I like covering neckline and back if you are outdoors every day. If you are fare you will know why in a few years if you don't listen to me on the neckline. Just buy boat neck cut shirts/swimsuits.WHOOPS JUST NOTICE YOU ARE NOT A GURL!!!

One more vote for Tommy. It's expensive, but worth it. My hub and I purchased a whole wardrobe of it for tropical honeymoon and have since cruised with it 3 times. It is the best quality- wrinkle resistant,well-made.I prefer dry cleaning it- but it is washable so if you spill on it, you can wash it immediately.If you see a Tommy article that's not available in the store, you can order anything from them. It's a great company.

If you want to look like a local - wear flip flops. I brought mine as an after thought and wore them constantly except when doing hiking.

I'd take all cotton clothes: 1 pair of shorts, 1 pair of loose-weave long pants, 2 short sleeved shirts, 1 pair each of sandals and hiking boots, then enjoy buying the rest there.