Hawaiian Blouses

Hawaiian Blouses

Hawaiian Blouse or Hawaiian Shirt?

The Hawaiian shirt, often called the aloha shirt, grew up in Hawaii in the 1930s. It is a boxy, short-sleeved shirt with a flat camp collar, a straight hem worn untucked and a full row of buttons, cut on men's lines and printed with flowers, leaves or island scenes.

A Hawaiian blouse takes the same prints and cuts them for a woman's shape. It is usually shaped through the bust and waist, has a softer neckline such as a V or a split neck, and may have no buttons at all. The fabric tends to be lighter and drapier, so the blouse moves rather than standing away from the body.

Which you choose depends on the look you want. A boxy camp shirt gives a relaxed, borrowed-from-him feel, while Hawaiian blouses sit closer and look more polished with a skirt or tailored shorts. The print is what ties the two together.

Sleeve Lengths for Island Weather

In strong tropical sun, the sleeve is really about shade. Short sleeves are the coolest choice for walking around town, but they leave the upper arm to the sun for hours at a time. Our short sleeve blouses are best for mornings and late afternoons.

A light long sleeve blouse in a thin fabric is often the more comfortable choice on a boat trip or a long day of sightseeing, when you are outside through the middle of the day. Loose sleeves let air move while keeping the sun off.

A three-quarter sleeve is the useful middle, covering most of the arm while leaving the hands free, and a 3/4 sleeve blouse is easy to push up when the breeze drops. Sleeveless styles suit the hottest hours by the pool, with a light shirt over the top when you walk out.

What to Wear With a Hawaiian Blouse

A busy print wants calm company. White jeans, linen trousers, denim shorts and plain skirts all let a Hawaiian blouse lead. Pick one color from the print for the bottom half, such as navy, coral or leaf green, and the outfit looks planned.

A Hawaiian blouse and pants make the easiest evening outfit. Wide linen trousers in white or sand feel dressy enough for a restaurant, while cropped trousers suit a day of walking. Tuck the front of the blouse to show the waist, or leave it loose over a longer top.

Keep shoes and accessories simple: flat sandals, espadrilles, a straw bag and a sun hat. Gold or shell jewelry suits the relaxed mood better than anything shiny.

For cooler evenings or air-conditioned restaurants, a white cardigan or a light denim jacket works over most tropical prints. Leave it open so the print still shows, and roll the sleeves once for a relaxed finish.

For a Luau, a Cruise or a Beach Dinner

For a luau, a floral blouse with a white or solid skirt is a natural choice, and many hosts welcome a flower tucked behind the ear. Wear flat shoes, since you may be standing on grass or sand for the evening.

On a cruise, Hawaiian blouses suit days at sea and island excursions. Pack a couple in different prints so they can share the same shorts and trousers. Save something plainer for any formal night.

Many resorts ask for resort casual at dinner, which usually means a collared or neat top, tailored shorts or trousers and no swimwear. A Hawaiian blouse with linen trousers fits that code well, and it looks far more at ease than office clothes would.

For a beach dinner, choose a longer sleeve or bring a light layer, since the air cools quickly after sunset. Our summer blouses offer more easy options for warm evenings.

Prints Beyond the Hibiscus

Hibiscus is the classic motif, but palm leaves, plumeria, monstera and small tropical florals are just as much at home on an island. The scale of the print matters more than the flower. Large motifs suit taller frames and fuller figures, while smaller prints feel lighter on a petite frame.

The background color sits closest to your face, so choose it with care. White and pale blue grounds are fresh on fair skin, while navy, black and deep green grounds make bright flowers glow on deeper skin tones. For more prints like these, see our floral blouses.