Santa in an Hawaiian or Aloha shirt my seem ridiculous. Like a penguin in the desert, a vegetarian in Texas or Christmas in July. Santa wears a fur lined red overcoat, a warm hat and big snow boots. Hawaiian shirts feature palm trees, surfers and Hula Girls. But it seems to me that Santa and Hawaiian shirts complement each other very well.
It is true that Christmas was not formally introduced to Hawaiians until the 1820's when Protestant missionaries from New England came to Hawaii. But it is also true that around the Christmas season Hawaiians had been celebrating a four month festival called Makahiki. During Makahiki there were great feasts, games and celebrations while all wars and conflicts were prohibited. This type of peace on earth and goodwill toward men is something that Santa can really get behind. Santa Claus liked this concept so much that in 1858, two years after King Kamehameha declared December 25 to be his kingdom's national day of Thanksgiving, Santa made his first visit to the islands.
The Aloha or Hawaiian shirt doesn't go back quite that far. Developed by Oahu tailors in the 1920s and 1930s its distinctive floral patterns were often seen in Hollywood movies, usually as a sarong wrapped around the shapely form of Dorothy Lamour in The Hurricane (1937), or Maria Montez in South of Tahiti (1941). For American soldiers and sailors passing through Hawaii during the Second World War the Hawaiian shirt was a welcome reprieve from army fatigues and navy blues. After the war they enthusiastically brought the fashion back to the states and Hawaiian shirts have never really been out of style.
Why is it so popular? According to Waikiki artist George Michael, in a Los Angeles Times interview from 2003, "Have you noticed that people who wear them are more relaxed? As bright and colorful as they are, they don't have an in-your-face attitude. You meet someone wearing a Hawaiian shirt and nine times out of 10, they're going to be a little more down to earth."
Santa is a "down to earth" type of guy. And anyone who can wear a bright red, fur lined jacket is not self-conscious about sticking out in a crowd. The Aloha Shirt tells everyone that you are serious about kicking back, relaxing and enjoying life. Remember, Santa has one of the hardest jobs in the world and after all the gifts are delivered he likes to relax a little. Besides that, Santa is used to the Polar cold. When he gets down to the balmier climes a loose fitting shirt is more comfortable. For Santa, as Jimmy Buffett would say, changes in latitudes brings changes in attitudes.
Hawaiian shirts have usually featured floral patterns or tropical themes but Santa has always preferred a more Christmasy look. It is hard to pinpoint when Santa wore his first Christmas themed Hawaiian Shirt. We do know that Hawaiian based clothier Reyn Spooner has been making an Hawaiian Christmas Shirt since 1983. Now it is possible to find Hawaiian shirts with surfing reindeer, palm trees with Christmas lights and Santa relaxing on the beach, in bold holiday patterns and bright Christmas colors. Carey Lorang, of Houndstooth Fabric hand made the amazing Shirt I am wearing above from a print called Surfin' Santa by Alexander Henry Fabrics. A wonderful shirt for any time of year. Take a look at this detail of Santa enjoying his summer vacation.
Santa finds the Hawaiian shirt has another advantage. They have always looked great on guys like Tom Selleck in Magnum P.I. But you may have noticed that Santa has a bit of a tummy. Un-tucked Hawaiian shirts look great on a guy with a bit more substance and Mrs. Claus thinks it looks very slimming. Hawaiian shirts seem to have everything going for them, a relaxed, cool fit and a relaxed, cool attitude. You can wear your Christmas Hawaiian Shirt to a Christmas in July party, during the Christmas season if you live in a warm climate or just about anytime you want to get into the holiday spirit.
Do you have a great Christmas Hawaiian Shirt? Do you have a photo of you wearing it? Share it in the comments below or post it to our Facebook page and tell us your favorite Christmas Hawaiian Shirt story.
Photo Credits: Linda Park, IMBD, Aloha Shirt Shop, Aloha Outlet, Aloha Funwear.
