Hawaiian Shirts - Aloha Shirts

[mikespens]

Anxiously awaited package from Australia arrived today that contained a grail shirt, a Sun Surf that fits me. This one is a Sun Surf "Special" which are even more limited than their normal runs. "Special" means not only is the print a vintage repop but they repop the original label as well. That's gotta be an expensive detail in itself. Everything I've read/heard about Sun Surf is true, gotta be the ultimate repop. Quality is superb, heavy silk crepe with vivid print, taped seams, everything about it is special. Normally, I don't wear black shirts or clothing in general, a personal peculiarity, I have nothing against it, just that way. For this shirt though, I make the exception, Sun Surf's this size are extremely rare.




Repop vintage label


For comparison, a modern Kalakaua label which is much larger


Taped seam and signature



Print detail


I found this and many other Sun Surf's on this site which I encourage you to support, operated by a great dude named Simon in Australia. Warning, view with caution, this site is Sun Surf porn and could be hazardous to your wallet:

https://manjapan.wordpress.com/sun-surf-hawiian-shirts/

 

[dh66]

That one's a showstopper, Mike. Unbelievable! And with the goldfishies, no less. You are a bad influence.

Congrats on that fine and rare find.

 

[Bamaboots]

Killer shirt, Mike. My size too! I'm cursing you for providing that link. I'd almost trade a pair of my cowboy boots for that shirt

 

[mikespens]

Happy to be a bad influence fellas I gotta say I never believed I'd part with the peso I did for a shirt when I got started with this, but that's how collecting works. Start out innocently enough and eventually turn into the Devil's advocate.

An important note boots, Sun Surf shirt measurements don't necessarily match their size labels. Some XL can measure as little as a 23" chest. That's what makes them so hard to find in larger sizes.

 

[mikespens]

Here's another neat detail you don't even see, a nice faux pearl button hidden under the collar for the loop collar in contrast to the coconut front buttons

 

[dh66]

Very nice! The little loop for the top button is a nice feature that has by and large fallen by the wayside.

 

[nick123]

I've found the Sun Surfs to run a little small compared to tag size. A large is equivalent to today's medium. And they have much shorter sleeves than modern aloha shirts.

I have a 40" chest, and prefer my shirts not extremely fitted. XLs for me are just too big, but wearable. Larges (which again is closer to today's Medium) fit much better, but I'd like maybe a tad more room in those. The Sun Surf shirts I've owned have been pretty consistent, with maybe a bit of variance size wise. I think it's safe ordering your usual size for them all. I've owned maybe 15 of them.

 

[BobHufford]

mikespens,

That one is so nice we should probably end the thread right here.

Let me sneak in a few thrift-store finds first ...

Thanks,

Bob

A newer Tori Richard: (not sure what cotton lawn is)

A Sidan cotton/poly blend:

A "Hawaii", all cotton:

 

[BobHufford]

A Bishop St. Apparel, all cotton:

A Hawaiian Flavor, all cotton:

 

[BobHufford]

A "Go Barefoot", 100% Rayon:

A Hoaloha, not sure of the material:

Not sure of the age of any of these. The Go-Barefoot is modern, but an old pattern (when it says "Vintage Hawaiians" on the tag it is probably not old). The Hoaloha may be from the '50s/'60s. It does have the loop button under the collar that Mike referenced.

 

[dh66]

Nice ones, Bob H!!! I especially dig the tiki and tapa cloth ones. Mai Tai time........

 

[BobHufford]

Thanks Dale! I had to look up Tapa Cloth -- I learn so much from this forum.

 

[Bamaboots]

Bob, great finds. Some excellent shirts lately.

 

[mikespens]

Nice additions Bob, the spirit of the shirt is what makes them Aloha and plenty of spirit here. The Hoaloha is definitely the oldest one of the bunch and I think you've nailed the time frame as 50/60's.

"Lawn" is a processing of the fabric for a finer feel. Lawn Cotton is usually spun from finer thread for a silk like finish. It's nice stuff and wash'n wear too.

Keep em coming!

 

[BobHufford]

Thanks Mike and Bamaboots! I learned two things today. Pretty sure I forgot three, but I can't remember that they were about.

I picked up a couple more shirts while thrifting this evening. I'll try and get a pic or two up soon.

 

[BobHufford]

Here you go ...

Pomare, small, cotton?

Kalaheo, 100% Rayon.

 

[RJR]

Very nice.

 

[dh66]

Another couple of good ones, Bob H. I like the brown one a lot.

 

[mikespens]

The Pomare is also kool because it was printed in Hawaii. It also looks like the Kalaheo was made by RJC, unless the buttons have been replaced. Seems like all your shirts were made in Hawaii too, that's a point I like a lot. Your thrift store seems to be a good source Bob!

 

[BobHufford]

Thanks RJR, Dale and Mike! I make it a point to only go for the Made in Hawaii "Hawaiian" shirts. Otherwise I would have way, way too many.

I do have quite a few Chinese-made Tommy Bahama silk or linen shirts, but they are hard to pass up for under $5.