Aloha Shirt vs. Hawaiian Shirt: What Locals Call It and Why
Short answer: it's the same shirt, but in Hawaii people call it an Aloha shirt. "Hawaiian" refers to the Native Hawaiian people and their culture, so locals save the word for things that truly come from that culture. The colorful, collared shirt worn untucked took shape in Honolulu in the 1920s and '30s, and it was sold from the start as the "Aloha shirt."
A name that started in a Honolulu newspaper ad
Honolulu tailors were sewing shirts from colorful kimono fabric by the 1920s, but the name came a little later. On June 28, 1935, the shop Musa-Shiya ran an ad for "Aloha shirts" in The Honolulu Advertiser, the first documented use of the term. Ellery Chun of King-Smith Clothiers trademarked "Aloha Shirt" soon after. So "Aloha shirt" isn't a local nickname. It's the shirt's original name.
For the full story, from kimono cloth to Waikiki and beyond, read The History of the Aloha Shirt.
So why not "Hawaiian shirt"?
In Hawaii, "Hawaiian" refers to Native Hawaiians, who also call themselves kānaka, a word that recognizes their ancestral connection to these Islands, which were an independent kingdom until 1893.
That's one reason why locals say "Aloha shirt." The name points to the spirit of the shirt rather than a culture. "Hawaiian shirt" is common on the mainland, but in Hawaii most people say Aloha shirt.
How to wear an Aloha shirt like a local
- Wear it to work, especially on Friday. Hawaii's garment makers spent the early 1960s campaigning for Aloha wear at the office, and in 1966 the state recognized what became Aloha Friday. Today an Aloha shirt is standard business dress in Hawaii, any day of the week.
- "Aloha attire" is a real dress code. On an invitation in Hawaii it means an Aloha shirt and slacks for men. It's the Islands' version of business casual, and it works for weddings and parties too.
- Leave it untucked. Aloha shirts are cut to be worn out, with a straight hem.
How Western Aloha does the Aloha shirt
We're based in Waimea on Hawaii Island, and our Aloha shirts are made in that tradition: original prints drawn from island life, a classic camp collar and coconut buttons. We make them in functional fabrics that you can wear from the beach to dinner. And if you like a little more cowboy (locally known as the Paniolo) in your Aloha, see our western snap shirts.
FAQ
Is there a difference between an Aloha shirt and a Hawaiian shirt?
It's the same style of shirt. "Aloha shirt" is the original name and the one used in Hawaii. "Hawaiian shirt" is the common mainland name.
Where does the name "Aloha shirt" come from?
The term first appeared in a Musa-Shiya ad in The Honolulu Advertiser on June 28, 1935, and Ellery Chun trademarked "Aloha Shirt" soon after.
What is Aloha Friday?
A Hawaii tradition of wearing Aloha shirts to work on Fridays. It grew out of a campaign by local garment makers and was recognized by the state in 1966.
What does "Aloha attire" mean?
It's a dress code used across Hawaii. For men it means an Aloha shirt with slacks, the Islands' version of business casual.
Should an Aloha shirt be tucked in?
That's your decision, but generally no. Aloha shirts are cut to be worn untucked, a habit that goes all the way back to the sailors' shirts that came to Hawaii in the 1800s.
More from Talk Story: The History of the Aloha Shirt · Palaka, Hawaii's Original Work Shirt · The Story of the Pareu
