Aloha Shirts Everyday On A Family Hawaiian Vacation

I think I’ve said it before on this blog, but I’m not really a “vacation guy”. There’s just a lot of logistics involved: taking time off work, getting the flights at the right time, getting accommodations, and of course, the itinerary of activities when you’re actually there. I feel like that’s one major reason my family has always used some sort of planner or tour. Granted, we did have some freetime when weI went to London, Tokyo, and Italy but the schedule was quite meticulously planned. I’ve done the same thing when I take my semi-regular trips to NYC. I’m really not used to a loosely planned vacation, let alone one that focuses on “rest” instead of activities. [That’s why I’m much more of a “hanging out guy”.]

However, this recent Hawaii trip with my family would be something different. It was loose and impromptu and still a fun time!

First of all, Labor Day is usually spent at home, taking an extra Monday for coffee/drinks or if we’re lucky, getting to use Spencer’s dad’s pool for swimming and burgers. In addition, my family tends to alternate vacations and since last year was Italy (quite a big one), this year was free (hence why I’m going to NYC in October). However, my mom randomly asked if we wanted to go to Hawaii as a family (no SOs) and I just said yes. Why not!

Apparently the “main reason” was because my grandparents had a college reunion in Waikiki beach. Since they would need some assistance due to their advanced age and medical issues, it made sense for us all to go and have a family trip together! And because this was rather thrown together, there was no real plan or activity. We were simply going to Oahu to hang out, eat dinner, and see what else would come up; the only “confirmed” thing was that we would finish our trip at Aulani, the Disney resort.

I was quite excited! My new job has been quite stressful not simply due to the amount of work but because I am confronting the reality that this is my career (this is my second job as an Account Manager and five years total that I’ve been doing this). I was also intrigued by the opportunity to just let loose. No true plans, no reservations (outside of our hotels), and no real stores or friends to meet. This would be just about relaxing.

As this “loose” approach to traveling is new to me, I’ll admit that I did feel a little daunted by packing. After all, my strength lies in jackets, ties, and dress shoes since that’s what I love wearing; it’s very seldom that I’m casual. I also tend to wear something “different” everyday thanks to the never-ending blacklog stemming from constant inspiration. My wardrobe is indeed versatile but its more so for future/potential fits and not something to implement directly day after day. But this was an Occasion to lean into being dressed down. It’s also an opportunity to loosen up my backlog and see what fits come with a limited list. To practice versatility the way that most people do!

So what did I do? I just packed every single aloha shirt I owned. Just makes sense, right? This was a good move for me as I tend to struggle with wearing alohas on a normal day: a point collar and tie is my default and if I feel like being louche, I have my plain, striped, and checked sportshirts. Alohas are casual but due to their coded themes, I hold them in high regard and seldom wear them. Not this time. This trip would be a homecoming for them!

For bottoms, I brought my trusty pair of khaki gurkha shorts that have served me well for over five years (these are Uniqlo U that replaced repros). For long pants (to combat against the humidity and bugs), I brought my M-43 cargos as well as my SFC brown gauchos. But I couldn’t stop there. In true Ethan fashion, I had to bring some semblance of tailoring and so I also took along my white linen DB suit. Fisherman sandals and leather mary janes would be my footwear of choice; no socks at all for this excursion. I even made sure to bring my breathable cotton beret from AWMS.

It was clear that I was feeling the Summer Inspo and wanted to full-send some Apparel Arts fits before the calendar turned to September. I also wanted to be clear that I wasn’t the 15-year-old in a “cock tee shirt” that I was when I was last here. There isn’t anything wrong with a tee shirt, elastic shorts, and flip flops, but I also think rayon shirts and fisherman sandals are just as comfortable!
To be clear, I didn’t have specific outfits in mind when I packed (though the inspo was already coming). I was just ready to make an outfit each morning and see what the day brought me. I think the following outfits were pretty good, don’t you think?

*Rayon shirts and big pants is the way to go. I wore this once I finally showered after the plane (and made use of my new Two Palms shirt)!*

*Museums on a vacation is the closest thing I have to a true “Ethan Occasion”, so a suit was the choice! I like the low contrast with the lighter aloha shirt.*

*Simple for a lunch in Waikiki and driving to Aulani!*

*A really relaxing fit for relaxing by the beach/pool.*

Because the trip was so loose, I don’t have as detailed of a recap. You all should be happy that I just relaxed! 😉 I’m sure the photo dump below will explain more than my words. However, I do have a few fun call outs!

Firstly, I was so happy that I got to buy some great aloha shirts in person. The first was at Two Palms Hawaii at the Ala Moana Mall (my mom and aunt love going to this mall to shop and eat at the food court lol). Some of you may remember that Two Palms was the first aloha shirt I ever owned. They were a decent price but I mainly liked them because they were made of 100% rayon and because their designs felt quite 40s/50s

I’ve since outgrown the original ones I bought have since moved to lucky secondhand finds of repros and just good vintage looking alohas. But I couldn’t resist buying some when I was there— plus they were even on discount! I ended up buying two 40s ones that leaned more into the novelty print, as I already had plenty of floral ones.

Avanti was the other aloha shirt surprise, as they were only a few blocks from my hotel! I had occasionally seen Avant shirtsi worn by vintage heads as well as on eBay/Etsy. Its easy to see why, as their their “vintage”collar design (which looks very 1940s) and their prints are very 40s/50s, perhaps the most I’ve ever seen outside of a Japanese repro brand. I knew that I had to have one and was stuck between two. The khoi one was nice but felt a little too “normal”; the monstera one was much more retro looking…and vibrant! Both the Avanti and Two Palms shirts are great additions to my collection and as I live in sunny LA, I still have a few more weeks of wearing them on their own with jeans and fatigues or by surrounding them with a suit (with the collars obviously running way).

The other highlight of the trip was the visit to the Honolulu Musuem of Art. It’s a small museum that is a 15 min drive from Waikiki, but it was totally worth it. Not only do they have Asian and Polynesian art, but the musuem also houses an impressive collection of classic and modern art. I didn’t even know they had Water Lillies on display there! HMOA coincidentally had an exhibit on aloha prints, echoing a similar one at the Gene Autry Musuem a few years ago. The perfect trip for aloha shirts just got better and beter!

It had been a little while since I’ve been to an art musuem and I’m glad I got to go. My mom went out of her way to tell me that she’s glad I still make time for culture, even when she doesn’t have it on her itinerary. I was actually the one who pushed for us all to go!

Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Aulani. I’m sure many of you will roll your eyes and cringe at my status as a Disney Adult, but I genuinely really enjoyed it. Since its the only thing in this area (it shares a beach with one other hotel and across the street is a small “”market square of non-Disney businesses), the only thing you can do is relax by your choice of chlorine or salt water, and drink/eat the day away.

I’m not usually one to veg (most of you guys know I spend my down time writing, composing, compiling inspo, or Going Out), but I did it here. Granted, I did bring a book (a collection of essays by the composer Charles Ives), but I was able to relax and follow the theme of the trip.

I had such a great time! I feel like an as adult, the main times I get to see my family is at dinner (when mom is town), a major holiday, or when you get the initiative to drive out to see my grandparents. It’s nice to be able to spend a lot of time together whether its eating breakfast, shopping, or wandering around a musuem.

That being said, I’d love to come back with my friends. I’d probably be able to drink way more. 😉

Now enjoy the photos!