Hawaii Attire: What To Wear WHERE! | Hawaii Aloha Travel (2024)

FAQs

What is considered aloha attire? ›

Semi-formal functions such as weddings, birthday parties, and dinners are often designated as "aloha attire", meaning that men wear aloha shirts and women wear muumuu or other tropical prints.

Sure, you can wear jeans in Hawaii. But unless you're going up to the summit of Haleakala you'll probably be more comfortable in almost anything else due to the balmy temperatures and humidity. I have visited Hawaii in every season and never wished I had jeans with me.

Men — T-shirts, polo shirts, shorts, one pair of long pants and one lightweight jacket is perfect. Yes, bring long pants and a light jacket, the weather can be cool in high altitudes and in the evenings. Women — Shirts, polo shirts, lightweight tops, tanks, skirts, shorts, a pair of slacks and a jacket is ideal.

We recommend comfortable shoes for walking, shorts, sun dresses, and t- shirts. In the evening most people switch over to dressy casual - slightly dressier than their daytime attire - khaki shorts or trousers, polo shirts, aloha shirts, skirts, sundresses, etc.

Hawaiian shirts are inherently a casual shirt typically worn on vacation or other occasions that call for a laid back style. So by default, Hawaiian shirts should usually be worn untucked. There are certain types of shirts that are designed to be untucked.

Dinner Shows, Restaurant Dinners & Dinner Cruise - "Dressy casual." Ladies: Slacks and blouse or dress shorts, casual dresses/ maxi dresses, skirts or Aloha evening wear, etc. Gentlemen: Slacks, Dress shorts, polo/knit/dress shirt, or Aloha attire. Jackets are not required, but you may wear one if you choose.

Solid colors usually work best. If you are going to go with Aloha Shirts, maybe coordinate with everyone so they are the same or very similar prints. Another idea is to have the guys in Hawaiian print shirts of a single color and the women in attire of solid colors that match the men.

What I Cannot bring to Hawaii? ›

RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED ITEMS:

Pineapple and bromeliad plants and fruits. Passion fruit plants and seeds. Cruciferous root vegetables (radish, turnip, daikon, horseradish, rutabaga)

Leggings are essential clothes for Hawaii if you plan to do some hiking! Because the sun is so strong in Hawaii, it is often best to hike in the morning before sunrise. However, before the sun is up it can be quite cold. This is why I recommend wearing leggings instead of workout shorts.

You definitely need to bring a beach towel on your Hawaii vacation, but not just any old towel will do! When packing for Hawaii, you'll want to bring a sand-resistant beach towel or blanket to lounge around on. For drying off, I suggest a quick drying microfiber towel. Leave all other bulky towels at home!

Bring at least two swimsuits so you can dry one out each day. But also don't forget some breezy Hawaiian attire to layer on top for the transition from poolside to swimming to grabbing lunch.

When you plan on attending a luau, leave the dressy shoes, high heels, and maybe even sneakers at home. Sandals and flip flops (we call them 'slippers' here in Hawaii) are the best choice of footwear to complete luau outfits.

Aloha Casual for men means a button-down shirt, polo, or aloha shirt with shorts and sandals. Women should wear a sundress, mu'u mu'u, or blouse with a skirt or pants and sandals. Aloha Formal is the equivalent to military casual.

We suggest a light jacket and comfortable shoes with casual Aloha attire, i.e. a casual Aloha shirt and jeans or shorts.

Wear a Hawaiian shirt with plain, unassuming pants, such as khakis. This will provide a neutral background for the craziness that is the Hawaiian shirt.

But manufacturers went one step further and started making the shirts “inside out”. The top side of the fabric has strong contrast and colors. The back side (aka reverse side) of the fabric looks faded by comparison. Hawaiian shirt fabric typically has the design printed on one side.

Do you wear shoes in Hawaii? ›

While it is very common on the Hawaiian Islands to go barefoot or wear flip-flops (locals call them slippers), you should never spend the day at the Polynesian Cultural Center or any of the many outdoor activities across our island without the proper footwear. Make sure you wear some good walking shoes or sneakers!

Nights in Hawaii are not as warm as you think. While we do have humid and balmy tropical nights, these are usually April thru August. Also, if you're staying in an area with a higher elevation, a light jacket will come in handy especially if you're taking an evening stroll.

If you plan on doing any hiking on your vacation, you should bring a sturdy pair of tennis shoes. Dress shoes are usually not required in Hawaii. However, if you plan on hitting up a fancier restaurant, it's a good idea to bring a pair. You will also want to bring dress shoes if you're in Hawaii for business.

Dressing like a tourist is easy! A bright Hawaiian shirt is a classic look, but neon prints and souvenir t-shirts are also great shirt options. For bottoms, definitely go with khaki shorts or cargo shorts. Slip into a pair of white crew socks and strap your sandals over them to create an iconic tourist vibe.

Tacky tourist is term referring to person dressed up in obvious, bold, sometimes even tacky or obnoxious holiday clothes, wearing funny pack and socks in the sandals, simply put being an eyesore. While some tourists might be oblivious to their tackiness, other people dress purposely in such fashion.

Nowadays, Hawaiian women commonly wear the muumuu as well as aloha shirts, board shorts, pants, pa'u skirts, tank tops etc. These are usually made from cotton or silk and heavily feature traditional Hawaiian floral patterns.

In Hawaii, resort wear is extremely casual, and even in the nicest resorts, I've never worn a heeled sandal. The best part about a Hawaiian vacation is the ease. I spend most days in a swimsuit, with air-dried hair, and rarely put on makeup except a little lipgloss and mascara to go to dinner.

8. A Waterproof Dry Bag Will Save You (And Your Stuff!) While a backpack or purse may offer some storage room during your travels and adventures, waterproof dry bags are one of the best investments to make for your Hawaii packing list. Dry bags are inexpensive, clean easily, and work well.

It's no fun gashing your foot on a sharp coral reef while body surfing or playing in the waves in the mighty Pacific Ocean. That's why water shoes in Hawaii are so useful. These anti-slip water shoes will keep you safe! Plus, they breathe well and dry quickly.

Can you take a lei on the plane? ›

Can you take your flower lei on a plane back home from Hawaii? Most likely, yes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits certain foliage used in leis from leaving the islands to protect the mainland U.S. from harmful pests. Orchid and plumeria leis are okay to bring back from Hawaii.

- Large containers of non-solid foods should be securely packed in your checked bag. Only small containers less than 3.4 oz. (100 mL) may be carried on. Exception: baby food sufficient for the flight may be carried on.

According to the State of Hawaii's Plant Industry Division, most foods that are cooked, canned, frozen, commercially processed and/or packaged (including meat!) are welcome to Hawaii and do not need to be declared or inspected… if you purchased them in the U.S.A. If you're coming from another country, that's a ...

Each ticketed guest is permitted one carry-on bag and one personal item. A personal item is a laptop bag, briefcase, purse, or backpack that can fit under the seat in front of you.

Personal Item: Your allotted personal item must be small enough to fit safely under the seat in front of you. Personal items are generally such things as a purse, briefcase, laptop computer, small backpack, or similar piece. In each case, it must fit safely under the seat in front of you.

Hawaiian attire is always the way to go, which usually includes muumuu dresses, skirts, leis (which you'll get as you enter most Maui luaus), aloha shirts, shorts, and slippahs (or flip-flops). Any of these choices represents the islands well!

The variety of activities you can do is amazing, there is something new every day. Tell yourself everyday “I'm in Hawaii” and remember – every activity can be done without socks. Lighten your load take out those socks, let your feet feel the earth that is Hawaii, trust me you will never regret it.

Hawaii is generally warm year-round, but sometimes you might encounter a short cold spell when visiting in the winter months. Bring a light jacket (ideally a breathable, rainproof jacket) or sweater. You'll probably want to have a sweater or jacket just for the plane ride over.

Hawaii is made up of five counties: Maui, Kauai, Hawaii, Honolulu, and Kalawao. The vast majority of Hawaii's residents live in just four counties, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii, and Honolulu. Each of these counties has passed single-use plastic bag bans.

How many shoes should I bring to Hawaii? ›

Pack Three or Four Pairs of Shoes

Flip-flops (called slippers by the locals, or usually just "slippa") are the quintessential Hawaiian footwear. They're comfortable, casual and perfect for wearing to the beach.

Aloha Casual for men means a button-down shirt, polo, or aloha shirt with shorts and sandals. Women should wear a sundress, mu'u mu'u, or blouse with a skirt or pants and sandals. Aloha Formal is the equivalent to military casual.

The short answer is: absolutely. Many Hawaiians and locals wear aloha shirts (aka “Hawaiian” shirts) practically every day including at work, parties, dinner, or just a casual BBQ. They're everywhere. In fact, a nice button-up collared aloha shirt is considered formal wear in a lot of places on the islands.

“Aloha Friday” called for business men to wear aloha shirts every Friday and once the practice became commonplace for the last day of each week, it didn't take long at all for them to become accepted attire.

We also like wearing Aloha shirts with blue jeans. As a general rule, make sure the overall color of the shirt doesn't match too closely with the color of your jeans otherwise you might have the Smurf look.

It is true that in Hawaiian we say “Aloha” both when greeting someone and also saying goodbye. But that is not to be taken literally. The real meaning of Aloha in Hawaiian is that of Love, Peace, and Compassion.

The Aloha shirt (also referred to as the Hawaiian shirt) is a style of dress shirt that can often be worn for casual or smart/casual events. These shirts are printed with floral patterns, usually feature short sleeves, and have a collar. Traditionally, they have been worn by men but women can also wear them.

Dinner Shows, Restaurant Dinners & Dinner Cruise - "Dressy casual." Ladies: Slacks and blouse or dress shorts, casual dresses/ maxi dresses, skirts or Aloha evening wear, etc. Gentlemen: Slacks, Dress shorts, polo/knit/dress shirt, or Aloha attire. Jackets are not required, but you may wear one if you choose.

Wear a Hawaiian shirt with plain, unassuming pants, such as khakis. This will provide a neutral background for the craziness that is the Hawaiian shirt.

How baggy should a Hawaiian shirt be? ›

The Hawaiian shirt should not be too big, and many authentic Hawaiian shirt shops recommend purchasing one size smaller than your regular size.