1. Aloha Attire
Dressing for Business in Hawaii
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2. 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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3. 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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4. 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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5. 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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6. Examples of Pullover and Button-down
Aloha Shirts
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7. Suitable for Play (Ladies).
Not Suitable for Business.
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8. Hawaiian Plant Themes
Light on Dark Dark on Light
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9. More Examples
Calligraphy Canoes
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10. Tommy Bahama Examples
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11. Generally Avoid His and Her Matching
Aloha Attire for Business
Fashion Disaster in Business Probably Okay for Evening Out
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12. 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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13. Many Internet Options Available
Here 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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14. 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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15. 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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16. Women’s Attire
In Hawaii
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17. 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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18. 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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19. 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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20. 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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21. 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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22. Examples – Long Muumuus
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23. Example – Long Muumuu
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24. 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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25. NSA’s Decision
• Banquet:
– Hawaii Business (Formal Aloha Shirt, Tucked In,
with Solid Color Sport Jacket)
• Business Meetings:
– Hawaii Business (Aloha Shirt)
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