Vintage Hawaiian Shirts

The vintage Hawaiian shirts are influenced by the leisure and resort lifestyle of this exciting culture. It is really easy to identify these shirts because they are inspired by colorful print details fashioned in a repeat pattern that helps to distinguish them compared to other styles on the market. Hawaiian motifs like florals or unique scenes are generally placed in a repeat alternating pattern on a printed fabric.

During 1956, there were designers such as Tori Richard, who started to make original patterns with Hawaiian inspired styles. These shirts were made in Hawaii with motifs such as palm trees, hibiscus flowers and breadfruit leaf patterns in addition to Asian, village and tropical motifs that were used to enhance bold prints. Due to the growing popularity of these shirts, new designs started to emerge on fabrics created 100% polyester with slight glossy top surface.

In later years, the designers started to make aloha shirt pattern which include orchid flowers and other prints influenced by tiki culture. These shirts were now included in collection from different designers who now started to offer pieces made in rayon fabric. The Polynesian, Hula dancers, surfing and fishing boats scenes had been some of the influences of the retro prints. These shirts became extremely popular in the American culture between 1968 and 1980 because of the many television shows that were filmed in Hawaii at time.

Designs in the 70s had a silhouette which included details such as a folded collar, straight hem and one front pocket across the chest area. Most shirts had been made with an open front placket that was fully buttoned with a short sleeve. Quite often, the fold-over collar was made with a wide lapel and this portrayed a front neckline with a slight opening in v-shape leading to the top button closure. This structured silhouette inspired the repeat prints which appeared in an alternating pattern on the back and front view of the shirt.

The 70s shirt patterns had a signature feature with colors that were mixed in medium and dark shade with splashes of bright hues. For instance, backgrounds in royal blue color with motifs in bright yellow-gold; backgrounds in white with turquoise color scenes and backgrounds in navy color with prints created in shades of white, green and peach. Typically, the background colors and motifs highlighted hints of natural tones in many different colors using hand painted and airbrushing techniques.

In essence, the Hawaiian shirts or aloha shirts, have always been a fashion statement for most people even long before Hawaii was recognized as a state. These are versatile shirts that you can wear to look and feel cool during the warm months. Some people also acquire them as collectible items which can increase in value overtime.