Do Your Research

It’s all in the Details

Vintage Aloha shirt stylings can be found with many different levels of quality and detail.

Features we look for:

Fabric - Natural Cotton, Rayon, or Silk, 100% is preferred. Synthetic blends are acceptable if found on an exceptional design or pattern. Weights, weave and finish can include sheer, tight (linen like), raw silk (varying thread weight), Damask brocade, and bark (rare).

Buttons - Natural Coconut, Bone, or Shell define the highest quality and rarity, in that order. Unusual natural button shapes or surface carvings can add value. Resin or plastic buttons are common on newer shirts, typically faux shell, bone, or coconut. Occasionally these can add interest because they exploit the property of the molded material (shape, color, pattern, text). Metal buttons are uncommon, and can add unique character to a shirt.

Pattern - As we are all drawn to different designs, we inventory our shirts based on the graphics used in the fabric. We use the following subject categories: Floral, Scenic, Surf, Ocean, Poly(nesian), Critter (animals or people), Cocktail, Geo(metric), Mod(ern), Text (any language), Batik (fabric reversal). Many shirts use a combination of styles or subjects, and can fit several of these categories. We will add new categories as they develop, as there are always new discoveries. Note that fabric pattern is the big Wildcard. If the pattern, color, or subject of the shirt is completely amazing, it can override our normal priorities of fabric material, construction details, and condition.

Condition - A these are Vintage shirts, condition can vary greatly, from like new, to tired. We check for wear and damage on all of our shirts, and most seem to have lived exceptionally well-loved and cared for lives. While we generally do not offer shirts that show insect damage, stains, tears, or threadbare conditions, we occasionally find some shirts that have minor problems but were just too cool to pass by. Any condition issues will be noted in the description, and can help you find a favorite daily wear shirt at a lower price.

Origin - Our collection started with only Made in USA Hawaii garments, but we soon found this eliminated too many beautiful examples of the art. There are exceptional examples found from all around the world, and we frequently found ourselves regretting not taking home that really Great Shirt which was not made in Hawaii. We now focus on the quality of design, details, fabric, and condition, to provide truly Tiki Worthy Wear for your enjoyment.

Construction Details - Sensitively matching the fabric pattern during construction of the shirt matters. We love shirts that have matching pockets, or pattern alignment across the placket. See descriptions and examples below.

Brands - The Hawaiian Shirt fascination has been continuous since the 1950’s, and after seventy years, there are too many Aloha shirt makers to list. We are constantly surprised by amazing new finds from otherwise traditional and mundane brands. Our policy is that we do not discriminate. We evaluate every shirt based on our standards of beauty and quality.

The basic quick-check used in our vintage Tiki Shirt Expeditions (please see examples below):

Quality Fabric
Matching pocket
Coconut buttons
Very Good or Excellent Condition, or
Killer Pattern

Pockets

Preferably, these should match the background pattern perfectly.

Button or hemmed accent at top of pocket adds a practical or dressy touch.

Double pockets are rare, and should definitely match the body pattern at all seams.

Note that pocketless shirts are not inferior, and are often exceptional. A pocket-free shirt can elevate the garment from fun and functional, to full artistic expression. Omitting potentially distracting pocket details can highlight exceptional fabrics boasting dramatic colors, graphic designs, or large bold patterns.

Matched

Pocket aligns with body pattern

Unmatched

Pattern lessens pocket mismatch

Unmatched

Pocket independent of body pattern

Almost

Intricate pattern hides minor mismatch

Placket

This is the button closure detail at the front of the shirt.

Similar in concept to matching pockets, this level of detail matches the fabric pattern across the placket from side to side, so there is a seamless representation of the full design without a distracting vertical pattern break at the center.

This is typically found only on large scenic panel or floral graphics, or single color, multi-texture silk brocades.

A matching placket is often found on pocketless shirts, as they can distract from the pattern design.