Text & Images By
Kainoa Reponte
Aloha for All
Since the early 20th century, the aloha shirt—the epitome of leisurewear—has become the essence of men’s fashion in Hawai‘i. From its humble beginnings with local tailors like Musashiya and King-Smith to recent renditions by fashion houses like Valentino and Saint Laurent, the aloha shirt continues to capture the ease and eccentricity of the Hawaiian Islands. This wardrobe stable can be worn as a form of self-expression—an opportunity to make a fashion statement and share one’s personality—or as daily attire. Every brand tells its own story and offers something unique, whether it is the cut, the design, the color or the buttons. In this guide, there is an aloha shirt to match your dad’s character.
Aloha shirts are a staple of every local man’s wardrobe.
FOR THE DAD WHO MEANS BUSINESS
Founded in Hilo, on the eastern shore of Hawai‘i Island, Sig Zane Designs is the embodiment of the beautiful and rich land from which it was born. The approach of the company’s founder, Sig Zane, and his son, Kūha‘o Zane, is global yet deeply rooted in Native Hawaiian values, with principles of culture, place, and nature woven into the company’s design philosophy. This is apparent in its contemporary yet culturally significant prints. In the same way that hula depicts the character of nature, the company’s purposeful designs fuse the mana of the stories they tell with the energy of the wearer. From the Kehaukea button-up, which references the cool Kehau breeze, to the Pololū pullover, which honors the passing down of kalo varieties, these aloha shirts are conceived of and defined by honoring the land and native culture. Imitating the slightly tapered but boxy fit of the early 1900s, the button-up and pullover shirts of Sig Zane Designs are suitable for nearly any occasion. The Sig Zane shirt is for the dad who dresses for hana (work) but understands that ‘ohana is the greatest return on investment.
Sig On Smith, 1018 Smith St. Open only on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
At Sig On Smith, the Honolulu outpost for Sig Zane, discover modern fits and limited- edition designs.
The Jams World Factory is a source of inspiration for its design team.
FOR THE PLAYFUL POP
Rooted in the surf culture of the 1960s, Jams World is a family-owned brand that has been creating energetic, art-focused designs since 1964. When surfer-turned-business mogul Dave Rochlen founded Jams World, his intention was not to make his own spin on the aloha shirt but rather to spice up boardshorts. However, the art that made the brand’s boardshorts go viral transferred well to Hawai‘i’s staple, the aloha shirt. Rochlen began scouting for hand-painted masterpieces in every corner of the globe, a travel-inspired tradition that continues today among the Jams World team. Scouted pieces are screen-printed on crushed and spun rayon to maintain the depth of the original art, and then the vibrant, premium fabric is brought to Jams Worlds’ O‘ahu factory to be cut and sewn. From their brightly colored and lively prints to their one-of-a-kind, hand-painted buttons, these art-inspired shirts make for fun and sophisticated wardrobe additions. When you gift a dad a Jams World aloha shirt, you share a timeless piece of wearable art.
Jams World Factory, 411 Puuhale Rd. Open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m
FOR THE HIPSTER DAD
Avanti Designs, known for its signature silk aloha shirt, started as a leather-goods kiosk in Waikīkī’s old International Market Place. In the early 1990s, owner John Hui would return from Hong Kong with vintage aloha shirts and resell them at this kiosk. Little did he know that these vintage finds from the Fragrant Harbour would become his most popular offerings. Their popularity moved Hui to venture into the aloha-shirt industry. Hui describes his approach to aloha wear as reviving the history of aloha shirts. Pulling actual prints from mid-century vintage shirts, Avanti aims to breathe life back into designs that were discarded throughout the decades. The brand is about confidence, boldness, and individualism. An Avanti shirt pairs well with ripped jeans and a denim jacket. Worn by the likes of Bruno Mars, G-Eazy, and Harry Styles, Avanti is for the rockstar dad who is not afraid to stand in the spotlight, move his hips, and sing at the top of his lungs.
Avanti Shirts, 2164 Kalakaua Ave. Open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m
Avanti celebrates the past in nostalgic patterns from the islands’ golden age of travel.
Text & Images By
Kainoa Reponte
Aloha for All
Since the early 20th century, the aloha shirt—the epitome of leisurewear—has become the essence of men’s fashion in Hawai‘i. From its humble beginnings with local tailors like Musashiya and King-Smith to recent renditions by fashion houses like Valentino and Saint Laurent, the aloha shirt continues to capture the ease and eccentricity of the Hawaiian Islands. This wardrobe stable can be worn as a form of self-expression—an opportunity to make a fashion statement and share one’s personality—or as daily attire. Every brand tells its own story and offers something unique, whether it is the cut, the design, the color or the buttons. In this guide, there is an aloha shirt to match your dad’s character.
FOR THE DAD WHO MEANS BUSINESS
Founded in Hilo, on the eastern shore of Hawai‘i Island, Sig Zane Designs is the embodiment of the beautiful and rich land from which it was born. The approach of the company’s founder, Sig Zane, and his son, Kūha‘o Zane, is global yet deeply rooted in Native Hawaiian values, with principles of culture, place, and nature woven into the company’s design philosophy. This is apparent in its contemporary yet culturally significant prints. In the same way that hula depicts the character of nature, the company’s purposeful designs fuse the mana of the stories they tell with the energy of the wearer. From the Kehaukea button-up, which references the cool Kehau breeze, to the Pololū pullover, which honors the passing down of kalo varieties, these aloha shirts are conceived of and defined by honoring the land and native culture. Imitating the slightly tapered but boxy fit of the early 1900s, the button-up and pullover shirts of Sig Zane Designs are suitable for nearly any occasion. The Sig Zane shirt is for the dad who dresses for hana (work) but understands that ‘ohana is the greatest return on investment.
Sig On Smith, 1018 Smith St. Open only on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
FOR THE PLAYFUL POP
Rooted in the surf culture of the 1960s, Jams World is a family-owned brand that has been creating energetic, art-focused designs since 1964. When surfer-turned-business mogul Dave Rochlen founded Jams World, his intention was not to make his own spin on the aloha shirt but rather to spice up boardshorts. However, the art that made the brand’s boardshorts go viral transferred well to Hawai‘i’s staple, the aloha shirt. Rochlen began scouting for hand-painted masterpieces in every corner of the globe, a travel-inspired tradition that continues today among the Jams World team. Scouted pieces are screen-printed on crushed and spun rayon to maintain the depth of the original art, and then the vibrant, premium fabric is brought to Jams Worlds’ O‘ahu factory to be cut and sewn. From their brightly colored and lively prints to their one-of-a-kind, hand-painted buttons, these art-inspired shirts make for fun and sophisticated wardrobe additions. When you gift a dad a Jams World aloha shirt, you share a timeless piece of wearable art.
Jams World Factory, 411 Puuhale Rd. Open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m
FOR THE HIPSTER DAD
Avanti Designs, known for its signature silk aloha shirt, started as a leather-goods kiosk in Waikīkī’s old International Market Place. In the early 1990s, owner John Hui would return from Hong Kong with vintage aloha shirts and resell them at this kiosk. Little did he know that these vintage finds from the Fragrant Harbour would become his most popular offerings. Their popularity moved Hui to venture into the aloha-shirt industry. Hui describes his approach to aloha wear as reviving the history of aloha shirts. Pulling actual prints from mid-century vintage shirts, Avanti aims to breathe life back into designs that were discarded throughout the decades. The brand is about confidence, boldness, and individualism. An Avanti shirt pairs well with ripped jeans and a denim jacket. Worn by the likes of Bruno Mars, G-Eazy, and Harry Styles, Avanti is for the rockstar dad who is not afraid to stand in the spotlight, move his hips, and sing at the top of his lungs.
Avanti Shirts, 2164 Kalakaua Ave. Open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m
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