Much loved in summer and beyond. Worn by men and women. Perfect for summer looks that exude summer hedonism and coolness. The origin and history of the Hawaiian shirt and why it has remained a trendy summer item even today.
We all remember the Hawaiian shirts worn by the models in the Versace Jeans photos shot by Doug Ordway set in Miami, as well as the colorful aloha shirts worn by Jim Carrey in “Ace Ventura” and by Leonardo DiCaprio in “Romeo + Juliet” (1996), the postmodern re-adaptation by Baz Luhrmann. But the Hawaiian shirt, over the years, has become much more than a simple item of clothing. Today, in addition to being a symbol of Hawaiian culture, the aloha shirt has become a fashion icon recognized throughout the world. But how did the Hawaiian shirt actually come about?
THE HISTORY OF THE HAWAIIAN SHIRT
As the name suggests, the “Hawaiian shirt” originates from the volcanic archipelago of Hawaii located in the central Pacific Ocean, but its origin comes from a special mix of different cultures and references to local nature. Around the 1930s, Japanese immigrants brought with them the traditional Japanese kimono that was made with fine, colorful fabrics and wonderful floral patterns. At the same time, the Filipino working class wore the barong tagalong shirt, a light model decorated with hand embroidery and in the same period China imported its fine silk fabrics that had sophisticated prints. Sensitive to these exotic influences, Gordon Young and Harold Buttolph — are considered the creators of the Hawaiian shirt. Young, a tailor from Honolulu, began creating short-sleeved summer shirts using Japanese fabrics with floral patterns and bright colors. Buttolph, a journalist, suggested the name «aloha shirt» inspired by the traditional Hawaiian greeting.
In a short time, these creations had attracted the attention of tourists who visited the islands, eager to bring home a tropical souvenir of Hawaii to have in their closet. During the Second World War, soldiers stationed in Hawaii brought these shirts home as travel souvenirs, helping to spread their use in the continental United States. The consecration of the Hawaiian shirt came in the 1950s, with the wave of celebrities and Hollywood stars. Everyone from Elvis Presley to Frank Sinatra wore them, making them a must-have in the summer wardrobe.
In the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, the subcultures of the time — especially hippies and surfers — had adopted the garment, establishing itself as a symbol of rebellion against traditional fashion. And in the 1990s, ready-to-wear brands began to propose luxury interpretations of the Hawaiian shirt , bringing it to the runways of Etro , Pucci or Versace . Even today, designers and creative directors continue to reinterpret the shirt, keeping the Hawaiian tradition alive. Of course, the aloha shirt has acquired versatility over time, adapting to the occasions of use and more formal contexts, shifting the focus from a fetish / souvenir garment from the beach to the office.