Hawaiian shirts and fedoras

[GHT]

GHT, the "tropical" shirt is hard to define, certainly more difficult than a "Hawaiian" or "Aloha" shirt. In the context of vintage there are definitely rules but as seen it these posts, a lot of leeway is accorded. We are living in a modern world. Personally, I would be afraid to wear a true vintage shirt for fear of ruining it so I tend to stick to modern repros. The style has been around so long it can't help but to have evolved with the times. To me, it's a lightweight, short sleeve, open collar, button up shirt with a flat bottom meant to be worn untucked in warm climes. As far design themes, the sky seems to be the limit these days. My 2 cents to your inquiry.

That's how I see it too, although I am very grateful for T. Jones' input.
You can easily get bogged down with rules & regs, what is & what isn't permitted. In the UK, we have longed called this type of shirt, a tropical shirt. And it's worth noting that for us Brits, a lot of inspiration came from one of our Caribbean colonies, namely Bermuda, which, apart from British Bobbies resplendent in white uniform including matching shorts, is famous for it's rather colourful shorts. As well as a certain triangle.
Just a bye the bye. The shirts that I make are not exactly cheap, the material, shipping, taxes, authentic pattern and notions add up to about £50, that's about $75, and I haven't even calculated a labour charge in there. That's not meant to sound boastful, what I am saying is, you can probably get original shirts for far less, but if you want something bespoke, that fits you like a glove, is made of the finest material, to an authentic pattern, it's going to cost more than a bargain basement. Thankfully, despite the costs, I have an order book absolutely full.

 

[bond]

GHT would you mind posting pics of some of your shirts
Thanks

 

[BR Gordon]

A VS montecristi and Tommy Bahama shirt. Absolutely the best combination for the mid 80s temperatures that we're having.

 

[mikespens]

Indeed BR, a hard to beat combo.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

A VS montecristi and Tommy Bahama shirt. Absolutely the best combination for the mid 80s temperatures that we're having.

You are looking classy sir. You wife should be proud to have you hold her arm when heading out for daily activities.

Enjoy the weather, Eric -

 

[phebus]

Found this shirt the other day, actually made in Hawaii. The hat is a cheap wool licensed Indiana jones fedora.

 

[T Jones]

Good evening Gentleman! You guys are all looking great in those Hawaiian shirts and fedoras. I have a nice Hilo Hattie that should be arriving for me tomorrow. Can't wait to get it. In the meantime, what's a Hawaiian Shirt thread without Hawaiian music? From Donovan's Reef...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA8otf_-Nl8

[video=youtube;zA8otf_-Nl8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA8otf_-Nl8[/video]

 

[Lando]

Okay, this one isn't quite a fedora. But it was an Akubra Burke & Wills before I got through with it. Took the kids to the zoo and wanted something festive and easily visible from a distance. Big hat and Hawaiian. Any body else gone with the Big Hat Hawaiian? And BR Gordon, I love that VS montecristi, it a very cool hat. I always want to wear the panama style hats, and I do own a few, but I just sweat too much. I end up sweating through the fibers and warping the hat if I'm not careful. That's why, summer or winter, fur felt is primarily what I wear.

 

[mikespens]

Now that's upbrim Lando! I sense your not a shy dude

 

[GHT]

GHT would you mind posting pics of some of your shirts
Thanks

Just go back a few pages: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?36948-Hawaiian-shirts-and-fedoras/page70


One thing that people request a lot, is to make a shirt in plain material with the front, (and sometimes the back, like a bowling shirt) in a floral panel. Here's one that a guy asked for. He sent me an e-mail of the material, I asked my supplier to send me a swatch, from that I was able to source the plain material, in this case a deep plum colour, and then match the two up. The finished article looked like this. Not everyone's taste, but the customer was happy. By the way, you are supposed to be looking at the shirt.

 

[bond]

Nice work on those shirts GHT. Do you have a link to your biz ?

 

[T Jones]

That's how I see it too, although I am very grateful for T. Jones' input.
You can easily get bogged down with rules & regs, what is & what isn't permitted. In the UK, we have longed called this type of shirt, a tropical shirt. And it's worth noting that for us Brits, a lot of inspiration came from one of our Caribbean colonies, namely Bermuda, which, apart from British Bobbies resplendent in white uniform including matching shorts, is famous for it's rather colourful shorts. As well as a certain triangle.
Just a bye the bye. The shirts that I make are not exactly cheap, the material, shipping, taxes, authentic pattern and notions add up to about £50, that's about $75, and I haven't even calculated a labour charge in there. That's not meant to sound boastful, what I am saying is, you can probably get original shirts for far less, but if you want something bespoke, that fits you like a glove, is made of the finest material, to an authentic pattern, it's going to cost more than a bargain basement. Thankfully, despite the costs, I have an order book absolutely full.

That's how I see it too, although I am very grateful for T. Jones' input.
You can easily get bogged down with rules & regs, what is & what isn't permitted.

Thanks GHT. My post was purely for informational purposes and would probably be more valuable for someone who may be thinking of collecting vintage and authentic Hawaiian shirts, or for that matter, just something of a guideline to go by. I do have a few authentic Hawaiian shirts and some that are not. But like you, I feel the same way. Why get bogged down with strict rules and regulations unless one is an avid collector. The whole idea is to enjoy it. btw, your tropical shirts are awesome!

 

[ManofKent]

Some great combinations in this thread - I particularly like BR Gordon's last post.

At the age of 42 I have bought my first Hawaiian shirt...



Hat is a vintage Biltmore straw, shirt is a reverse printed RJC shirt (I know nothing about Hawaiian shirts btw).

 

[Ghost Rider]

MoK: Suits you sir!

In your last e-mail, you implied that you were of advancing years - you're still 8 years younger than me

I was here last weekend and there were Hawaiian shirts aplenty:



Got me thinking that maybe I should buy one after all...

 

[mikespens]

Richard, it's never too late to get your cherry popped. Glad to see you here and a nice combo. It appears you've discovered not all Hawaiian shirts need to be loud. With the occasional exception I prefer the quieter patterns myself.

 

[T Jones]

Good evening Gents! ManofKent, I'm lovin' the look my friend! Your Biltmore straw and the Hawaiian shirt makes for a classy combination!
(btw, 42's not too old to buy your first Hawaiian shirt. You're never too old my friend! I'll be 59 next month and I'm still buying them! Only my wife refuses to be seen with me if I wear one of my Hawaiian shirts and a fedora!)

For me this warm evening in Central Ohio I'm wearing my newly acquired Hilo Hattie's Hawaiian shirt and topping it off with my Royal Stetson...

...and here I am wearing a Kamehameha topped off with an OR style Bradford...

 

[mikespens]

Hat is a vintage Biltmore straw, shirt is a reverse printed RJC shirt (I know nothing about Hawaiian shirts btw).

Richard, by chance I received an RJC shirt in the mail today with tags. "RJC" stands for Robert J. Clancey, Ltd. and was established in Hawaii 1953 and is still in production: http://www.rjchawaii.com/

Nice shirts TJ, the Kamehameha looks better on you than it did by itself. I have to admit I can't tell the difference between your OR's though!

 

[ManofKent]

Thanks for the vote of confidence folks - I've got another on the way that's much bolder, but yes Mike I think the quieter ones are more me.

Looking good TJ.

 

[DJH]

Not often I get the opportunity to make a contribution to this thread.

Hawaiian (via China, unfortunately) Tommy Bahama shirt and Hawaiian (via Ecuador and Tom Gomez) Brent Black Hat

 

[mikespens]

The rare case I like a black ribbon on a Panama. Looking kool David.