# When are Hawaiian Shirts appropriate? (Other than Hawaii) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 28, 2010, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741 "2010-08-28T00:30:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/41 "2010-08-28T16:13:09Z")
I’m jealous of his collection. It would cost me a fortune to build ghat up. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/42 "2010-08-28T16:17:21Z")
> [@Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](#): > > They are welcomed at tiki bars. Also at conventions where collectibles are being sold… records, comic books, etc. Yeah, I’ve noticed. Why is this? Is [Gary Sohmers](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRF8oaG67Bs) to blame? I asked my dad, who was in college in the late '50s, about Hawaiian shirts. He said he only knew one guy who wore them, who was “a dipshit.” ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/43 "2010-08-28T16:19:21Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > > [@sassyfras](#): > > > > Are they “GAY” if not worn at a party or at the beach? > > I’m gay, but not Hawaiian. Also, just because a guy is gay doesn’t make him “GAY.” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/44 "2010-08-28T16:26:22Z")
‘You’re not fun! You’re just fat!’ ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/45 "2010-08-28T16:32:02Z")
They are proper any place but funerals. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/46 "2010-08-28T17:02:55Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > They are proper any place but funerals. Don’t you limit me! Especially if you’re dead! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/47 "2010-08-28T17:32:34Z")
Costume parties and closed-casket funerals. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/48 "2010-08-28T18:38:07Z")
What about Hawaiian funerals? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/49 "2010-08-28T18:59:34Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > They are proper any place but funerals. Dad didn’t object. 😃 Mom didn’t either, which is more to the point. A good shirt collection takes time to build. I’ve been working on mine for 10 years or so now, and it numbers in the high 80s. Luckily I’m regarded as “someone just crazy enough to snap if we push him but does his job well if we don’t” around my District, so nobody says anything except “Nice shirt!” ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/50 "2010-08-28T18:59:56Z")
> [@Beware\_of\_Doug](#): > > What about Hawaiian funerals? I think those are called “luaus”. ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/51 "2010-08-28T23:15:01Z")
I’m wearing one now. I’ve got Cubavera’s, Tommy Bahama’s, ME Sport’s…if it’s got coconut buttons, it has my attention. I wear them throughout the summer, but only wear shorts to the office on Fridays. We have a … Progressive… office attire policy. ---
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/52 "2010-08-29T01:39:36Z")
If you’re [John Lasseter](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lasseter). ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/53 "2010-08-29T02:57:09Z")
I can vouch they are not only entirely appropriate for Hawaiian funerals, but also required. Few are the local obituary notices in the local newspapers that do not include “Aloha attire” when telling the time and place of someone’s funeral. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/54 "2010-08-29T04:36:00Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > > [@Cunctator](#): > > > > At a ‘loudest shirt’ party. > > The stereotype is that all Hawaiian shirts are loud, but that’s actually not true. There are some really very low-key designs out there. For example, check out some of the designs at [Reyn’s](http://www.reyns.com/), one of my favorite Hawaiian-shirt shops in Honolulu. I knew a rather well-off guy from Hawaii who had the most amazing collection of tasteful Hawaiian shirts. One was black silk with the most subtle black-on-black floral pattern. Another was tasteful black silk with rich ivory flowers that looked almost abstract. ---
**Author:** ![lshaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e36b37/32.png) [@lshaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lshaw)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/55 "2010-08-29T04:49:17Z")
If you work at Trader Joe’s ---
**Author:** ![Gestalt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/90ced4/32.png) [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/56 "2010-08-29T06:32:50Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > The stereotype is that all Hawaiian shirts are loud, but that’s actually not true. There are some really very low-key designs out there. For example, check out some of the designs at [Reyn’s](http://www.reyns.com/), one of my favorite Hawaiian-shirt shops in Honolulu. The dude on the intro page is the hottest thing I have ever seen in a Hawaiian shirt, ever. ---
**Author:** ![AnalogSignal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/analogsignal/32/1085_2.png) [@AnalogSignal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnalogSignal)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/57 "2010-08-29T08:30:10Z")
They are not very common in New York, specifically Manhattan. I think it depends where you are. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/58 "2010-08-29T17:13:07Z")
I love mine, for many of the reasons **Bridget Burke** describes. Only the silk or cotton ones though; never understood how rayon came to be so popular in such a tropical climate. Wore mine to the office on Friday’s as a nod to “Office Space”. They were so comfortable in Texas weather that it became a habit and a contest to wear the loudest for many around the office. Never when clients were around though, of course. And I could never see wearing one to a funeral or wedding, but when in Rome… > [@txtumbleweed](#): > > …Oh, and one more thing. I’ve been known to wear an unbottoned Hawaiian shirt over a t-shirt as I head through the airport. I guess the TSA agents think it looks pretty sharp, too, as they almost always give me a free massage at the security checkpoint. :dubious: I’ve been told that ensemble is great for carrying concealed. The bold print of the overshirt breaks up any printing from the butt, and the tucked in undershirt helps with presentation. Moreover, you aren’t wearing the fanny-pack or photographer’s vest that, to me at least, screams, “Got a pistol over here!” Of course, maybe the TSA people were [Ray Wylie Hubbard fans](http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/s/screwyouwerefromtexas.shtml) and felt you were carrying… I think when I first saw Hubbard play, I was wearing a Hawaiian shirt, jeans, my black cowboy boots, with dark glasses hanging from my neck. (Hey, the shirt, jeans and boots are comfortable.) Had never heard “Screw You, We’re From Texas,” before and was totally mortified when he started singing it. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/59 "2010-08-29T21:02:00Z")
Ray Wiley Hubbard _was,_ in fact, describing a certain Texas “look” in that song. (And, no, not all of those guys are dope dealers!) He finally lived down writing “Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother” only to come up with “Screw You, We’re From Texas.” He’s actually from Oklahoma… ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741/60 "2010-08-29T21:19:18Z")
> [@txtumbleweed](#): > > I was wearing a red one with parrots on it one day last spring as I wandered through the Smithsonian Museum. By one of the gift shops I noticed a shirt with the same pattern was in one of the cases. [Always wondered what Tom had done with that shirt I loaned him for his audition.](http://apa.si.edu/collections/images/surfboard/surfboard_vert_web.jpg)🙂 I have that same shirt! 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-hawaiian-shirts-appropriate-other-than-hawaii/551741.md?page=4)