Posted 5 years ago
Watchsearc…
(88 items)
I have 2 of these Aloha Jackets which belonged to a very special friend of mine who lived all his adult life in Hawaii.
He wore this jacket in the 1960s for really special occasions!
Aloha jackets were a very trendy fashion for men who needed to dress a notch or two above the usual casual style.
He let me wear this one when we dined at a fancy Waikiki restaurant, then gave it and a second one to me because I loved them and he knew I would treasure them.
I have found very little written about the history of Aloha Jackets.
In a book titled Aloha Attire, Hawaiian Dress in the Twentieth Century, by Linda B Arthur,
I found a picture of a red/black print one with the caption “Cotton Sportscoat, Taylored in Hong Kong, 1960s” and lists a current price of $100-$299. The picture does not show the inside labels though.
Made in British Hong Kong for the Sandwich Isles label, this jacket is 100% cotton.
Aloha Jackets had the usual cut of a sports coat but the fabrics were bold prints with flashy colors usually.
The jackets were made with lapels, 2 back vents, 2 front pockets with flaps, inside breast pockets, buttons at sleeve edges, partial lining with a silky fabric and no shoulder pads.
I would love to see other examples and hear all about them so please fill me in on whatever details you know!
Thanks for looking....hope it gives you a smile!
All comments welcome!
Valentino97, thanks for commenting! I know the shops stock small sizes for petite Asian visitors—maybe your dresses were those.
I love the styles and patterns in Hawaiian clothing.
Thanks to all for the loves you gave my jacket!
I wonder how many men today would wear it in their home towns? ;^D
Maybe nice to know:
https://gem.app/product/sandwich-isles-honolulu-vintage-mens-42r-42-28541
BTW, I think I would definitely wear a jacket like that in my home town.
I looked again, but unfortunately the pattern doesn't quite match. I was blinded by the bright orange