Hawaiian shirts: a favorite of Rango, everyone in Weekend at Bernie’s, guys on vacation, U.S. presidents at the Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and, for some time now, fashion kids. (Dad style strikes again.) In the spring of 2016, palm frond and postcard-print button-downs swarmed the streets of Paris, Milan, London and New York. Vogue named the Hawaiian shirt the “Street Style MVP of the Men’s Shows.” The fashion world took notice; the trend continued on — and on, and on. In fact, just a week ago, Man Repeller appointed the Hawaiian shirt the “Official Hot Guy Shirt of 2018.”
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We agree with the general sentiment. Many objectively attractive male specimens — Ryan Gosling, Harry Styles, Idris Elba, Michael B. Jordan, Jesse Williams, James Marsden — have been sighted in billowy, tropical toppers. Still, it’s important to note that this is most definitely not a guy-specific trend…even though its more high-end takes still come to us mostly by way of the men’s collections.
In 2016, it was Dries Van Noten’s palm frond and leopard print style that everyone had to have. These days, it’s Balenciaga’s classic sunset-hued version (from the label’s Spring 2018 menswear collection), Prada’s crisp-collared designs (which, again, debuted during the Spring 2018 men’s shows) and Gucci’s pipe-seamed, pajama-esque iteration (refreshingly, a Spring 2018 womenswear piece) that are making waves.
Many, ahem, “hot girls” have adopted and adapted the look, among them singer, model and writer Marz Lovejoy who, back in spring 2017, paired her peachy, pineapple-splashed top with camo cargos and red sneakers — albeit under duress. “This is what it looks like to style in your man’s [in her case, Office magazine editor Simon Rasmussen] clothes on blogs in Paris after Air France loses your luggage because style can’t be bought and light cannot be shaded. And I’d do it again with a white tee and a safety pin,” she wrote under the above post. Notice how Lovejoy left most of the buttons unfastened to manipulate the shape and lines of the blouse — an easy, interest-adding trick.
Here’s another idea: if you’re looking for something more fun than your typical linen beach cover-up, try a Hawaiian shirt in a bright color or contrasting pattern over your bikini, à la model Paloma Elsesser. It’ll add some tropical zest to your finite, oft-Instagrammed swimsuit rotation.
Even if you don’t have a beach trip planned anytime soon, you can always throw one of these babies on and immediately feel the summer vibes. During the actual summer, leave a few buttons open and tuck it into jean shorts. Or take a page out of Chiara Ferragni’s stylebook and wear it with a bra top and some high-waist bike shorts (another hot-ticket Summer 2018 item). Alternatively, skip the bra top and just MacGyver your Hawaiian shirt into a front-tie crop.
Once fall hits, the layering options multiply (duh). Rock one over a long-sleeve button-down, a long-sleeve tee, a turtleneck, a hoodie. Tuck it into full-length jeans, or, for some contrast, business casual pants and skirts. (For a more sophisticated look, choose an option with added details, like a belt, piped seams or vertical stripes.)
You get the idea. Hawaiian shirts are fun, and they’re kind of a big deal. Say aloha to 22 of our favorites in the slideshow below. (FYI, the unisex options work best as beach cover-ups or layered over crop tops and tees.)
[ Next: 14 Tie-Front Tops and Dresses That Are the Epitome of Summer ]
Hawaiian Shirts
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Reformation
Oahu Two Piece, $148 at Reformation
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Zara
Beach Print Shirt, $15.99 at Zara
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Opening Ceremony x Aloha Blossom
Porcelain Short-Sleeve Shirt, $225 at Opening Ceremony
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Double Rainbouu
Wet Dream Print Cotton Hawaiian Shirt, $238 at Farfetch
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Mango
Floral Print Shirt, $19.99 at Mango
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Rachel Antonoff
Ari PJ Top, $138.60 at Shopbop
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Bershka
Floral Print Shirt, $9.90 at Bershka
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Stella McCartney
Stripe and Tropical Print Shirt, $395 at Farfetch
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& Other Stories
Tropical Print Shirt, $55 at & Other Stories
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A Peace Treaty
Breton Blue Shirt, $177 at Spring
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Gitman Vintage
Camp-Collar Printed Cotton-Poplin Shirt, $210 at Mr Porter
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AllSaints
Calypso Hawaiian Shirt, $130 at AllSaints
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Ami Alexandre Mattiussi
Short Sleeve Shirt, $135 at Farfetch
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Urban Outfitters
Vintage Light Ground Hawaiian Shirt, $44 at Urban Outfitters
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Faherty
Floral-Print Linen-Blend Shirt, $170 at Mr Porter
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Neighborhood
Otha Fish Aloha SS Shirt in Black, $242 at Need Supply
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J.Crew
Short-Sleeve Camp-Collar Cotton-Linen Shirt in Tropical Print, $44.99 at J.Crew
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ASOS Design
Regular Fit Viscose Shirt with Hawaiian Stripe, $40 at ASOS
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Zara
Palm Tree Photo Shirt, $15.99 at Zara
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DSquared2
Hawaiian Print Shirt, $238 at Farfetch
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H&M
Patterned Resort Shirt, $24.99 at H&M
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Onia
Camp-Collar Printed Cotton Shirt, $125 at Mr Porter