A traditional Hawaiian look includes a lei and a muumuu.
Hawaiian clothing has a very distinct look -- it's bright and colorful. The look now reflects the vibrant plant life found on the island, but traditional Hawaiian clothing used to have more earth tones as it was made from kapa, a bark cloth. The garments are typically loose and flowing to allow for comfort in the tropical climate. When searching for Hawaiian clothes, keep bright and casual in mind. Does this Spark an idea?
The Muumuu
The muumuu is a wide, casual dress that's easy to wear. It has a loose fit -- there is no fitted waist or bust. This modest garment was designed for Hawaiian women by missionaries that had settled on the islands. The fabric is usually cotton or silk and the prints are bold and colorful.
The Lei
Many leis are primarily made of fresh, bright flowers.
A necklace of fresh flowers strung together, the lei has become a symbol for the warmth and hospitality of the Hawaiian people -- its history is rooted in its use as a peace symbol between chiefs in conflict. Some leis are more elaborate than others and can contain feathers, shells, leaves and even bones from animals.
Hula Skirt or Pa'u
"Pa'u," a billowing, wrapped skirt for women, was first fashioned from kapa, a cloth made from bark. This type of skirt was also fashioned from dried grass or leaves and was traditionally green or brown -- this type of skirt is what most people associate with the hula dance. Hula skirts are now made with other materials such as raffia and cellophane and come in many different colors.
Hawaiian Aloha Shirt
Hawaiian giftshops always have Hawaiian shirts for tourists to purchase.
Hawaiian shirts are large, loose-fitting button-up shirts that sport bold designs such as colorful flowers, bright pineapples or the iconic hula maiden. The first Hawaiian shirt patterns were based on kapa, a pounded bark that was used for clothing. Kapa had simple shapes and stripes dyed on it and natural earth tones. Hawaiian shirts from the 40s and 50s had coconut buttons and are now called "silkies" -- these shirts are highly collectible.
Tags: Hawaiian shirts, earth tones, fashioned from, from kapa, Hawaiian clothing