When visitors to Hawaii during the 1930s started wearing colorful Hawaiian tops, the look was quickly adopted by the public. Political leaders and famous personalities became part of the masses as Hawaiian clothing quickly became an emblem of class for the rich.
The early designers like John Meigs studied Polynesian tapa cloth, and even from Tahiti, in their development of the first designs for aloha shirts. The identity of the original shirtmaker remains unknown.
Motifs
It doesn’t matter whether you are a fan of floral designs or beach scenes, or a more abstract design it’s the design of an Aloha shirt that attracts you. It’s a symbol of Hawaii’s distinctive culture. That is why it’s so popular throughout the world.
According to writer Hope Bradley, the Aloha shirt was born from a “weaving together of cultures and styles” drawn from five diverse sources. According to her, the shirt was originally a “daydream of paradise” that was popularized by celebrities such as U.S. Olympic swimmer Duke Kahanamoku Elvis Presley, and Bing Crosby.
In the years following WWII in which a number of American troops returned from Asia and the Pacific and the Pacific, they brought Aloha tops for their loved relatives. From there, the shirt evolved into the style icon it is today. The shirt has even appeared in films such as Romeo + Juliet, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. An Aloha shirt is a great way to connect with other travelers over the ocean. Additionally, the meaning behind the shirt serves as a reminder of how important it is to be in the world.
Symbols
The floral designs of plumeria, hibiscus flowering blossoms, and bird of paradise are some of the popular designs on Hawaiian T-shirts, the meaning of these designs goes beyond their aesthetic appeal. These motifs symbolize delicate beauty, positive energy, and also a connection with the beautiful natural surroundings that are exclusive to Hawaii.
In the same way, patterns inspired by nature that depict palm trees, waves, and sea creatures represent the close relationship between Hawaiians as well as their environment. When wearing an Hawaiian shirt that is decorated with these designs, people will feel as if they’re partakers of the breathtaking landscape.
In the 1920s, Gordon Young wore his mother’s shirt with the Aloha motif to his school at the University of Washington, igniting a national craze for the colourful clothing. Designers like John Meigs drew inspiration from traditional kimonos and Tahitian tapa cloths but they also introduced Hawaiian-specific motifs into the designs of the clothing. This increased local focus fueled the popularity of the Hawaiian shirt, and it soon became a part of the wardrobes of celebrities and Hollywood high-end.
Symbolism
Beyond the vibrant designs and colors, Hawaiian shirts are also adorned with important symbols. Like, for instance, the hibiscus flower signify love and beauty while ohelo berries symbolize security. These symbols aid people in connecting with one another, and embodies the aloha spirit.
The first Hawaiian shirts were made of Asian fabrics, such as silks from kimono. They also included Oriental designs. But in the 1930s they started to incorporate regional motifs. This is the first stage in creating one that would represent Hawaiian tradition.
Nowadays, many people across the globe wear Hawaiian clothing to demonstrate their love for Hawaii. Many are unaware they have a deep connection with Hawaiian tradition and history.
Despite being incorporated by the boogaloo group, Hawaiian shirt designs still represent the spirit of an attitude of. The boogaloo movement has been connected to violence in the real world, but people associated with the group insist that they are not advocating for violent acts. But, a variety of fashion houses have declared that they will not use Hawaiian designs on their apparel.
Significance for culture
While some may view Hawaiian shirts as kitschy but they are a popular image of the culture. They represent Hawaii’s distinctive territory and people for people who live there and those visiting. The custom hawaiian shirts also serve as an expression of self-expression as well as confidence for a lot of people.
The exact history of the aloha shirt is a matter of debate, one of the earliest examples of the garment was invented by Ellery Chun in 1936. The designer used remnants of fabric from kimonos and created this brightly colored short-sleeved shirt. He then marketed them using the brand name “aloha” and an advertisement in the Honolulu Advertiser newspaper.
The appeal of the Hawaiian shirt continued to grow after Hawaii was made the first US State in 1959. Manufacturers in the US sought to make money from the new fashion trend, thus they created different versions of Hawaiian-inspired shirts. Since then, numerous celebrities have been spotted wearing Hawaiian shirt. Some of them include Tom Selleck, Jon Lovitz, Jared Leto, and Bruno Mars. The shirts have even had appearances in films like “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective”, “Raising Arizona” as well as “Weekend at Bernie’s”.