Have you ever wondered who started the trend of Hawaiian print shirts? The very first Aloha shirts were sold in the 1930s in Waikiki, and were made from kimono fabrics. The first tropical-print shirts, or what we would think of today as the iconic Hawaiian style, were made in Hawaii during the 1930s when clothing manufacturers began hiring artists to create hand-painted floral designs to be printed onto heavy silk. It is believed that this style of shirt may date back even further, to the arrival of the Christian missionaries who imposed strict dress codes on the Kingdom of Hawaii. Native Hawaiians were forced to make the switch to western-style shirts, though with a uniquely Hawaiian touch.

By the 1940s, this uniquely Hawaiian design had been adopted in government uniforms across the islands. In Hawaii, every Friday is considered Aloha Friday, and the locals are encouraged to wear Hawaiian-print shirts on these days. This international icon, which has been spotted on well-known politicians, singers, and even movie stars, has been popular on the mainland ever since the tiki craze of the 1950s and 1960s.

Many fans of the Hawaiian shirt look for a "Made in Hawaii" label to know they're getting the real thing. This label was first put on Hawaiian shirts during the 1950s, when manufacturers in other parts of the world began to jump on the tiki bandwagon, making imitations of the famous Hawaiian style.

Though many companies have jumped on the Hawaiian shirt craze, the best Hawaiian shirts are still made in Hawaii to this day. Countless tourists return from their tropical vacation wearing these iconic styles. The Hawaiian shirts exported to the mainland by companies in Hawaii are short-sleeved, button-down styles printed with beautiful and vibrant Hawaiian motifs. In Hawaii, you can also find muted styles worn by the locals as business attire.

Many Hawaiian shirts sold today are made with the Batik technique, which is an ancient art of hand painting fabrics using a stenciled design in wax to control dye placement. Waxed designs stay white, while the cotton or silk is dyed. The most popular batik styles found in Hawaii are those with seaweed, turtle, or wave designs.

Because these prints have been quite popular for nearly 70 years, there are also quite a few vintage Hawaiian shirts out there. These are quickly snapped up by collectors and Hawaiian shirt aficionados. In fact, some of the vintage Hawaiian shirts are even more expensive than their modern-day counterparts, some costing several hundred dollars, because they are known for being extremely high quality. There have recently been several books published on vintage Hawaiian shirts for those looking to collect them.

Today, no piece of clothing quite gives off the same tropical vibe as a Hawaiian print shirts. Even on the mainland, these brightly colored shirts are a great choice for a casual day at the office, pool and beach parties, and of course Hawaiian- or luau-themed events. In addition to the classic print of tropical flowers, Hawaiian-print shirts also come in patterns incorporating surfboards, boats, fish and birds, palm trees, and even cars. These comfortable and vibrant shirts add excitement and fun no matter where you wear them.