Say Hello Again to the Hawaiian Shirt
Tim Jarvis
Hawaiian Shirt
The Aloha shirt is back just in time for the new season of "Hawaii Five-0." But before you begin rummaging through your closet for your dad's "Magnum PI" line of fine menswear, you should know that Hawaiian shirts have undergone a major image makeover.
According to Honolulu-based designer Amos Kotomori, who launched his exclusive Aloha shirt collection at Neiman Marcus last fall, Hawaiian shirts are no longer considered tacky attire for summer slackers or Jimmy Buffet backers. They're now available in muted colors and refined designs. So the dress code that was once reserved for the beach or the backyard barbeque has made its way into business meetings, night clubs and even romantic dinners.
"The time and occasion for an Aloha shirt is really all about the confidence of the wearer," says Kotomori, whose unique designs each tell a story. "These days, Aloha shirts are often worn tucked in, especially by professionals and those who want a more upscale look."
Beyond the monumental tucking development, the distinctive Hawaiian apparel can also be made over by pairing it with solid ties and sports coats. "Aloha shirts can be part of a very sophisticated ensemble," adds Kotomori. "It's a place where Hawaiian culture meets the rest of the world."
Aloha Chic Sheet
If you're fortunate enough to live in the American paradise known as Hawaii, where everything -- including fashion -- is a little more relaxed, you may want to model your look after Alex O'Loughlin's wardrobe as the new Detective Steve McGarrett in "Hawaii Five-0 ." But if you're landlocked in one of the 48 contiguous states, you can bring a little luau into the mainland look as well. Kotomori has you covered -- with the right shirt for the right time.
Company Picnic
Mixing business with pleasure can be a challenge, but Kotomori feels you can pull off this relaxed -- but put-together -- look by wearing a fitted, long-sleeve white T-shirt (for extra sun protection) underneath a pressed, pale-blue and white Aloha shirt. Once you add khaki walking shorts and brown sandals to the ensemble, you'll be ready to flip burgers with your friends and colleagues at the company cookout.
Business Casual
"At the office or in another professional environment, try a monochromatic silk or linen shirt (Tommy Bahama , $110) with a simple motif," advises Kotomori. "Wear it tucked into black slacks, together with a black belt and dress shoes." It's the same cut, but with a more restrained color presentation.
Nightclub
Vintage Hawaiian shirts are hot -- and club-goers have taken notice. "Try wearing one tucked into a pair of beltless, dark weathered Levis," says Kotomori. "The retro look is really in, and they look great."
Romantic Summer Dinner
If you're springing for a nice gourmet meal with the girl of your dreams, you'll want to stand out from the crowd. Kotomori recommends updating the typical men's summer uniform of navy-blue sports coat, pale-blue oxford shirt, and yellow tie. Try wearing the same navy jacket paired with a muted yellow Aloha shirt and khaki slacks to catch a wave of admiring looks.
Formal Event
Don't be surprised if a little more Hawaiian color might be making a splash at weddings and red-carpet events in the not-too-distant future. "I'm designing a long-sleeve, pleated tuxedo shirt right now," says Kotomori. "I'd have someone wear it in black silk with a purple and navy blue print."
Mother-in-Law's Birthday Party
So if your wife's mom thinks your Luau look is just another symbol that you are an underachieving Margaritaville mook, let her know that Aloha shirts continue to be a major economic player in the men's market. Today, 30 percent of shirts produced in Hawaii are shipped out of state with a return of $160 million.
So now when she calls you a useless slacker ... at least you can say you're a stylish one!
Photo Credit: @iStockphoto.com/SchulteProductions
Tim Jarvis is a freelance health, technology and entertainment writer who contributes to O, The Oprah Magazine and the men's grooming and lifestyle site Men's Life Today. He is also currently working on a book about the mysteries of quantum mechanics.
Available at Amazon.com
Your Best Body Now: Look and Feel Fabulous at Any Age the Eat-Clean Way
Recent Fashion, Beauty & Style Articles
- Find the Best Bronzer for You
- Look Younger With the Right Hair Color
- Summer Hair Color Trend Report
- Michelle Obama's Hair Secrets Unclassified
- Beauty Gives Back
- The Beauty Nutrition Makeover
- Say Hello Again to the Hawaiian Shirt
- 5 Ways to Tell a Friend She Needs a Makeover
- Beauty Secrets of Tennis Pros
- Three New Ways to Wear Braids
- Makeup Trend: Creative Cat Eyes
- Spring Fashion Style for Every Occasion
- Shoe Care 101
- How to Tie a Scarf in Your Hair
- Bronzer How-to
- Pair Spring Pastels With Sheer Makeup
- The Return of Colored Mascara
- Textured Hairstyles
- The Perfect Summer Pedicure
- How to Store Your Winter Wardrobe
- How to Get Kate Middleton's Style
- Frosted Makeup Trend
- Curly-haired Ladies: How to Get out of a Hair Rut
- Hair Trend Alert: Ombre Color
- Marilyn Monroe-inspired Hairstyles
- Find the Right Conditioner for Your Hair
- Cool New Pair of Sunglasses
- The Ultimate Guide to Looking Cool in Khaki
- 4 Staples for Sizzling Summer Style
- Trench Coats and Rain Coats
- How to Buy a Suit
- Are You Using the Right Soap for Your Skin?
- Wedding Beauty Countdown
- 4 Steps to a New Spring Look
- Shortcuts to a Bright and White Smile
- 4 Beauty Products to Keep in Your Summer Makeup Bag
- Spring's Fresh Makeup Shades
- Spring Makeup: Sunny Colors
- The Best Blondes for Spring
- The Hottest Nail Colors This Season
- Six Tips for Sporting Denim This Spring
- Simple Ways to Spring-clean Your Closet
- Get a Natural-looking Faux Tan
- The Best Hair and Beauty Trends From the Grammys
- Create Flawless Skin With Concealer
- Best Oscar Makeup
- New York Fashion Week Makeup Forecast
- New Hair Trends for Spring
- Add Color to Your Winter-weather Wardrobe
- Celebrity Hair Trend: Fake-out Hairstyles
- The Most Painless Way to Grow Out a Layered Bob
- How to Choose a Pixie Cut
- Celebrity Makeup for the Oscars
- Simple Steps for Healthy Skin and Hair
- Tailored Shirts at Off-the-rack Prices
- Hot Looks for Date Night
- Makeover Your Life -- Today!
- Best Hair and Makeup Trends at the Golden Globes
- Find Your Most Flattering Red Hair Color
- Hair Trend - Swoopy Bangs
- Top Hairstyles to Do With a Curling Iron
- The Latest Gel Products and Tactics for Men
- Brighten up Your Winter Style
- Perk up Your Winter Wardrobe
- Business Casual on a Budget
- The Moon Manicure
- Skin Care Resolutions
- Go Bold With Burgundy Lips
- Fashionable Turbans
- Sparkling Winter Style
- Stylish New Twists to the Classic Shirt-and-tie Look
- Elements of the Right Hairstylist
- Best Ways to Beat Winter Skin
- Quick Beauty Tips
- Braided Updos Seen on Celebrities
- 1970s Style, Take 2
- Simple Solutions for Winter Hat-hair
- Instant Hair and Makeup Makeover
- Latest Hair Color Trends
- Put a Brake on Blond Hair Color
- Easy Solutions for Dry Winter Skin
- Quick Tricks to Look Gorgeous
- Post-party Rejuvenation Tricks
- My Beauty Wish List
- Men's Shoes With High Style at Low Temperatures
- Grooming Tips He Can Learn From You
- Give Your Wardrobe a Makeover
- Stress and Your Skin
- How to Preserve Your Party Hair
- Celebrity Hair Trend: Grecian Updos
- Red Hot Looks for Winter
- Shopping Strategies for the Perfect Closet
- Anti-aging Hair Care
- Holiday Fashions for Every Occasion
- Solving Your Most Common Fashion Mistakes
- Healthy Hair Tips from the Inside-out
- Side-Ponytail Hair Trend
- How do I pick the right shade of at-home hair color?
- Hot New Hair Accessories
- Avoid Bad Hair Days This Winter
- Makeup Trend Alert: Violet Eyes
- How to Look Gorgeous in Metallic Makeup
- Best Lighting for Makeup Application
- The No-mascara Makeup Look
- Modern Holiday Makeup
- Have Glowing Skin for All Seasons
- Revise Your Wardrobe for Fall
- Skin Care Smarts
- Banish Dry Winter Skin
- Cold-weather Hair Care
- Top Makeup Tips From New York Fashion Week
- Seeing Red? Tomato-red Hair Color
- 5 Steps to Smoky Eyes
- How to Wear Prints This Fall
- Dry Shampoo Techniques
- Top 3 Radiance-Boosting Beauty Tricks
- New and Improved: The Jegging
- Integrate 'Mad Men' Fashion Style Into Your Wardrobe
- Dress Away the Pounds
- Beauty Habits That Add on Years
- Treats for Skin
- How to Tame Your Curly Textured Hair
- The Perfect Face for Special Events
- Get Glowing All Over Beauty Treatments
- Change Your Hair Color Change Your Makeup
- The Costume Hater's Guide to Halloween
- Decoding Cosmetics Labels: A Little Sleuthing Can Tell You a Lot
- Five Must-have Fall Accessories
- Top 3 Fall and Winter Hair Trends
- Fashion Rules to Break
- How to Stretch Your Summer Wardrobe Into Fall
- Backstage Beauty from Runway to Real Way
- Style Extras to Make You Look Like a Rock Star
- Your Man's Grooming
- Flaunting Your Freckles
- The 411 on Facials
- Foods for Beautiful Skin
- How to Cover Grays
- 6 Tricks for Shiny Hair
- 5 Steps to Fabulous Fall Hair
- Keep Your Faux Tan Going
- Vampire Makeup
- The Right Style of Bangs for Your Face
- Deep Side Parts
- Year-round Sunscreen Secrets
- Get That Celebrity Look
- The Perfect Jeans Wardrobe
- The Say Hello Again to the Hawaiian Shirt
- Post-Summer Skin and Hair Rehab
- Give Your Man a Style Makeover
- Quick Tips for Beautiful Hair
- Hassle-free Haircuts for Busy Moms
- Trend Alert: Matte Hair Styles
- Brazilian Blowout
- Keep Your Favorite Clothes Looking Like New
- 1980s Style: Take 2
- Get That Look
- What to Pack for a Weekend Getaway
- Beauty Below the Chin
- Anti-Frizz Products for Medium - Thick Hair
- The Right Haircut for Your Personality
- Be a Beautiful Brunette
- Secrets to Getting Gorgeous Hair
- Personalize This Summer's Trends
- Be Product-ive With Your Hair
- Mature Makeup Makeovers
- Custom-blended Perfume Scents
- Summer Style Rules for Work
- Hot Summer Trends at Cool Prices
- Stop Oily Skin This Summer
- The Boom in Full-figure Bras
- Extreme Hair Makeover: Are You Ready for It?
- Wake up Sleepy Eyes
- Fashion Week Nail Trends
- Protect Your Hair on Vacation
- Simple Ways to Go Green in Your Beauty Routine
- Spa Treatments From Your Kitchen
- Love Your Body in a Bathing Suit
- Six Tricks for Shiny Beautiful Hair
- The Beauty Rules of Order
- Closet Organization Made Easy
- Dress Better Than Your Boyfriend
- Solutions for Oily Hair
- Summer Hair Protection
- How to Build a Year-round Wardrobe
- From the It Bag to the Do-it-your-way Bag
- How to Dye Your Hair at Home
- The Most Gorgeous Hair in Sports
- Pluck Your Eyebrows Like a Pro
- Fashion Runway-Style Hair
- From Neglected to Natural Nails
- Look Fashionable on Any Budget
- Weatherproof Beauty
- Buh-Bye, Bed Head!
- Fight Frizz Before It Starts
- Be Your Best in a Dress
- The DIY Blow dry
- Gorgeous Hair: Getting Most from Conditioners
- Jewelry Trend: Big Statement on a Small Budget
- Day-to-night Chic in a Flash
- How to Be a Red Carpet Beauty
- Beauty SOS
- Party Makeup in 3 Minutes or Less
Copyright © 2011 Studio One Networks. All rights reserved.