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Aloha Attire

Dressing for Business in Hawaii

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Concept of Aloha Attire• The concept of "Aloha Attire" stems from the Aloha shirt. Semi-

formal functions such as weddings, birthday parties, and dinners are often designated as "Aloha Attire", meaning that men wear Aloha shirts and women wear muumuu or other tropical prints.

• Because Hawaii tends to be more casual, it is rarely appropriate to attend such functions in full evening wear like on the mainland;

instead, Aloha Attire is seen as the happy medium between excessive formality and casual wear. "Aloha Friday," a now-common tradition of celebrating the end of the workweek by wearing more casual attire on Fridays, initially grew out of an effort to promote aloha shirts.

• Although not uncommon to see professional women participating in Aloha Friday, it is more common to see men dressing this way.

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Aloha Shirt Is a Style of Dress Shirt

• The Aloha shirt, commonly referred to as a Hawaiian shirt, is a style of dress shirt originating in Hawaii.

• The shirts are printed, mostly short-sleeved, and collared. They usually have buttons, sometimes for the entire length of the shirt, and sometimes just down to the chest (pullover).

• Aloha shirts usually have a left chest pocket sewn in, often with attention to ensure the printed pattern remains continuous. Aloha shirts may be worn by men or women; women's aloha shirts usually have a lower-cut, v-neck style. The lower hem is straight, as the shirts are not meant to be tucked in.

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Equivalent to a Shirt, Coat, and Tie• Aloha shirts manufactured for local wear are considered formal wear in

business and government.

• They are regarded as equivalent to a shirt, coat, and tie (generally impractical in the warmer climate of Hawaii) in all but the most formal of settings.

• Malahini (newcomers) and tourists (visitors) often wear designs of many bright colors while Kamaʻāina (or those who have been living in the islands for a long time) seem to prefer less busy patterns.

• These shirts often are printed on the interior, resulting in the muted color on the exterior, and are called "reverse print". For those not familiar, it may appear to be a defect in manufacturing as the shirt appears to be sewn together inside-out.

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Designs and Patterns

• Traditional men's aloha shirts are usually adorned with traditional Hawaiian quilt designs, tapa designs, and simple floral patterns in more muted colors.

• Contemporary aloha shirts may have prints that do not feature any traditional Hawaiian quilt or floral designs and instead may have such elements as automobiles, drinks, sports team logos, or other elements arranged in the same pattern as a traditional aloha shirt.

• Drinks, automobiles, and sports team logos would probably be inappropriate for NSA business meetings.

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Examples of Pullover and Button-down Aloha Shirts

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Suitable for Play (Ladies).Not Suitable for Business.

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Hawaiian Plant Themes

Light on Dark Dark on Light

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More Examples

Calligraphy Canoes

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Tommy Bahama Examples

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Generally Avoid His and Her Matching Aloha Attire for Business

Fashion Disaster in Business Probably Okay for Evening Out

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Retail Stores on Maui

• The Hyatt Hotel has a few small retail outlets, including Macy’s, that sell appropriate shirts. Hotel prices will be significantly higher than prices at shopping centers.• Nearby Whalers Village also has retail outlets, but still

will be pricey.• If you have a rental car, drive to one of the shopping

centers and check out Macy’s or one of the specialty clothing stores. Also, Costco near Kahului Airport may have some good buys in stock for middle quality wear.

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Many Internet Options AvailableHere Are Just a Few Examples

• Sig Zane – www.sigzane.com

• Kahala – www.kahala.com

• Reyn Spooner - www.reynspooner.com

• Tommy Bahama – www.tommybahama.com

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Pants

• Business slacks– Color: Single color gray, black, blue, brown, or

tan. – Fabric: Wool, linen, cotton, or blend with

synthetic fibers.– With or without cuffs okay.– No Jeans or Shorts in Business.– No plaid golf pants off the golf course.– No Dockers or Khaki pants at banquet.

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Shoes and Socks

• Yes, you have to wear shoes and socks.• No to sandals in business, unless you have a

medical condition or are a very rich client. – Be prepared to bring a doctor’s note to President

Cook explaining why you must wear sandals or be barefoot in business meetings!

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Women’s Attire

In Hawaii

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Banquet Attire for Women

• Many times women in Hawaii wear the same type of formal or semi-formal dresses that are worn on the mainland (i.e., fancy short or long dresses), even though men are wearing aloha shirts.

• Keep in mind that temperatures in Hawaii will be warmer in August, so dress material should be lighter, as appropriate for summer formal or semi-formal wear.

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Banquet Attire for Women (cont.)

• Women typically do not wear short muumuus to more formal events in Hawaii.

• If, however, the banquet attire is formal aloha

attire for women, long muumuus or fancier muumuus may be worn.

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Business Attire for Women

• Women can opt to wear regular mainland dresses or outfits.

• For “Aloha Friday”, women oftentimes wear dressier muumuus (long or short) or more colorful dresses.

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Additional Examples of Business “Aloha Attire” for Women

• Besides a muumuu, another style of tropical-print dress is appropriate.

• A women’s aloha shirt worn with dressy pants, dressy shorts, or a skirt is appropriate.

• Any dressy two-piece outfit (top and pants, or top and skirt) that incorporates a tropical-print fabric is appropriate.

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Aloha Attire for Women (continued)

• Sleeveless tops or sleeveless dresses are OK. The setting/occasion dictates how much skin can be shown (e.g., spaghetti straps are OK at a wedding, but not for work).

• Dressy sandals are appropriate.• Dressy shoes with more coverage (e.g.,

pumps) are OK, too.• Stockings are not necessary.

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Examples – Long Muumuus

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Example – Long Muumuu

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Where to Buy Muumuus

• Macy’s Stores in Hawaii– Muumuu or Aloha Attire Section

• Upscale women’s stores around Maui selling Muumuus or Tropical Designs (not Hilo Hattie’s)

• Online - Two examples:– www.shakatime.com– www.pkaiulanifashions.com

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NSA’s Decision

• Banquet:– Hawaii Business (Formal Aloha Shirt, Tucked In,

with Solid Color Sport Jacket)

• Business Meetings:– Hawaii Business (Aloha Shirt)