The Aloha shirt, appropriately nicknamed “The Hawaiian T”, was conceived in the 1930s in Hawaii. These shirts were short-sleeved button-ups made of silk and decorated with repeating tropical patterns. The locals intended for the shirts to be dress shirts, meant to be worn at formal events like weddings. They believed the colorful patterns were a clear indication of celebration, and this was easily observable by anyone who attended a native Hawaiian event. At the end of WWII, a portion of America’s Finest who were posted in Hawaii came home adorned in these colorful, exotic shirts and were praised as the most stylish men alive with many mainlanders claiming “They just looked like they were here to party and didn’t care who knew it.” They became known as the Greatest Generation and their influence cannot be denied, even bringing celebrities such as Elvis Presley and Paul McCartney into the fold of Aloha Influencers.
Their reign continued for a brief time, until an unforeseen kink in the road formed. As airplane travel became more prominent, a spike in vacations to Hawaii and similar tropical locales arose. This lead to the Tacky Tourist Revolution, a disaster which saw the Hawaiian shirt become one with the fanny pack and the socks-with-sandals combo, cheapening this festive garment steeped in tradition. The mainlanders had won for now, but the tide would change one day. A Renaissance would come.
Fast forward to the early 21st century. The now-young-adults who grew up in the 90s are jaded by everything around them. Nothing in the 2000s can hold up to how great the 90s were. So these brilliant people begin moving backwards, finding the things from the past worth reviving. Circa 2013, the Hawaiian Shirt makes its glorious return into the mainstream. While originally chosen as ironic clothing meant for themed parties, the Hawaiian shirt is now being seen for what it is: the greatest piece of clothing ever conceived.
So here we are, in the midst of the Aloha Renaissance, the rightful resurrection of the most righteous of prints. History books will teach our children, and their children, of our genius decision to revive the Aloha shirt, as well as all of the innovations we will make based on the simple idea that an article of clothing is more than capable of creating a positive, energetic atmosphere. Will you be on the right side of history?