Aloha, Shirt

Dealing with the Chicago winter is always roughest when the rest of the country seems to be enjoying the spring while we in the Windy City are still bundling up and dealing with early morning temps in the teens. Adding insult to injury I look at my social media and see my friends and clients traveling to warm havens like Austin, Cabo and Maui.

With my mind trying to thaw and focus on the positive—my friends’ Maui pictures remind me that I still have yet to purchase my first-ever Aloha shirt (some of you not in the know might refer to it as a Hawaiian shirt). This is an item that has been on my list of wants for some time now, but I just can never find the right one. Like a good suit, pair of jeans…even a pet, I need the one that fits my personality.

I do completely understand that it is in my head that I will look as cool as Elvis or Tom Sims in my new Aloha shirt (not Magnum P.I. so much)— and disappointment will set in at some point.

All visions of parrotheads aside, if you never have shopped for an Aloha shirt, there is a fascinating amount of design that goes into the textiles. From beautiful, to tacky, to trendy, the range is almost endless. I am not talking about Target or Old Navy shirts either. Since Aloha shirts are the number-one exported textile of Hawaii, you need to look towards the islands to see true beauty.

Take some time when you are in Hawaii, online, or in a vintage store. An Aloha shirt might not be right for you, but it could possibly brighten up your miserable winter-like spring day.