Hawaiian shirts are a great way to experience the Aloha spirit without
spending too much money. Visitors are encouraged to wear Hawaiian style
attire to get in the Aloha spirit and contribute to the Hawaiian
atmosphere. Though the Hawaiian language is not widely spoken any
longer, its concepts remain in the hearts and souls of the people who
inhabit this idyllic and ancient oasis, and they relish the opportunity
to welcome their visitors in the true spirit of ‘ohana.
There are several variations of prints used in a Hawaiian shirt. Most
prints may be worn by either men or women and these days the prints used
in shirts are also applied to women’s Hawaiian dresses, called “muumuu”.
Here are descriptions of some of the most popular shirt design.
Basic all-over print – This is probably the most common among all
Hawaiian shirts. It is characterized by repeating prints that appear
throughout the fabric. The print does not have to be symmetrical
although common basic all-over print Hawaiian shirt does have a uniform
pattern. Among all Hawaiian shirts, this type can be worn either tucked
in or free.
Scenic print – This might be the second most popular Hawaiian shirt
design. Some people find the scenic print appealing for it characterizes
the vacation experience. The scenic print is distinguished by repeating
images, usually of scenery rather than the typical basic repeating
images of a leaf or flower.
Border – This Hawaiian shirt is intended to be worn un-tucked for its
design going across the shirt. Unlike the basic all-over and scenic
print, the border (bottom) Hawaiian shirts have large and full images
that run at the bottom of the shirt.
Hawaiian shirts have become so popular through the years that many
couples decide that Hawaiian shirts would be appropriate attire for
their wedding. Vintage Hawaiian shirts are beautiful pieces of artwork
from the past that can be worn just as fashionably as any shirt made
today.
Fiction
The emerging fashion industry in Hawaii is the largest seller of apparel
for both men and women outside of New York City
Legend
In the early 1820’s when the first missionaries arrived in Hawaii they
were almost overcome by, not only the beauty of their new found
paradise, but the brilliant and diverse collection of flowering trees
and bushes. Placing fragrant petals under the bed linens just before
retiring quickly became a common practice by most missionary women. They
found the perfumed air gave them a sense of peace and security. On one
night in 1821, after arriving back from the North Shore of Oahu where
she discovered for the first time the magnificent and pungent
Kuilanuinui flower, the colonial governor’s wife quickly placed the
petals under the crisp white sheets. What she did not know was the
Kuilanuinui flower was not only used to make the beautiful and fragrant
leis, but also to dye fabric. The brilliant yellow, pink, red and orange
hues easily came off whenever the petals came in contact with either
water of fabric.
The governor’s wife awoke the next morning to find not only the
impressions of the petals on the white sheets but her white night gown
as well. She found the design so remarkable that she spent the entire
day sewing the sheets into a shirt for the governor and a dress for
herself. This was later believed to be the birth of the modern day Aloha
Shirt for men and the Muumuu for women.
