Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
If you’re looking for a way to add some color or playful flair to your summer outfits, there is no better tonic than an Aloha shirt. We’ve covered a ton of them in the past and looked at their history, but this year’s array is particularly nice. Regardless of if you’re looking for an inexpensive entry into this style or want the crème de la Crème, we’ve got you covered with this edition of Five Plus One.
1) Gitman Vintage: Duke’s Pareo
Most Aloha shirts are made from rayon and that can be a turn-off for some people who prefer cotton in their shirting. Luckily, Gitman Vintage has you covered with their 100% cotton Duke’s Pareo shirt. It’s made in the USA from a cotton poplin fabric that features a replicated pattern from vintage Kahala shirting. Featuring a single chest pocket and box pleating, this shirt is a great option in so many ways.
Available for $215 from Division Road.
2) Kahala: Under the Sea
Speaking of Kahala, what kind of Aloha shirt list would this be without one of theirs? While we could reasonably have chosen any of their offerings, their Under the Sea Shirt is a fun example of an Aloha shirt with classic colors but a bit of a more unique design. Made in Hawaii from 100% cotton broadcloth, this shirt would be at home in nearly any Hawaiian shirt collection.
Available for $110 from Kahala.
3) Corridor: Late Night
Corridor‘s take on the Hawaiian shirt features many classic motifs of the genre but with some fresh ideas all of its own. This 100% lyocell shirt features a black and white floral pattern with interlaced horizontal lines, which really helps it to stand out. It features a camp collar and patterned matched chest pocket, all of which come together to form a very cohesive button-up.
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Available for $165 from Corridor.
4) Freenote Cloth: Hawaiian Shirt in Olive Hawk
Freenote Cloth‘s Hawaiian Shirt is far from inexpensive, but you get a lot for your money. The fabric features a charming color print and comes from Japan, the buttons are custom mother-of-pearl from Italy, and the construction is all done in the USA. That’s a recipe for an end-tier shirt if you ask us.
It’s constructed from a 55%/45% rayon/cotton blend fabric, which offers the lightweight nature of rayon with a feel closer to that of traditional cotton shirts. It’s finished with double-needle stitching and pleated shoulders.
Available for $320 from Freenote Cloth.
5) Kamehameha: Classic Anthurium
Kamehameha is another big name in Aloha shirts, and their Classic Anthurium pattern dates back all the way to 1936. If you’re just getting into Aloha shirts or what to get one from one of the best names in the industry, you could do a lot worse than Kamehameha. Available in four colorways, this Aloha shirt really is a piece of history.
Available for $99 from Kamehameha.
Plus One – Sun Surf: Aloha Short Sleeve, Royal Hawaiian
If you’ve been within the heritage/raw denim niche for a while, you will have been waiting to see the name Sun Surf appear in this list. The Japanese kings of Aloha shirts sit under the Toyo Enterprise umbrella, offering a range of Japanese made aloha shirts that’s as expansive as the shirts are handsome
This Royal Hawaiian Aloha Shirt is made in Japan from 100% cotton that features an understated pattern, but with added visual interest due to the pattern-matching collar and hem. Rather than a full-button placket, this shirt features a quarter button that really sets it apart from the rest of the shirts on this list.
What’s more is, Kiriko has a range of second-hand Sun Surf shirts on their webstore, with this just being one of the highlights. Be sure to check them out.
Available for $248 from Kiriko.
