Matching Aloha Wear for Family Photos
Its not uncommon for families to don matching aloha wear for their Hawaii family photos. When in Hawaii, right?! The next question is what colors look good in the photos – and where to do you get the same prints for several people?! I’ll go over all of that and more.
The photos in this article are from an extended family photo session I photographed near Disney’s Aulani Resort and the Four Seasons in Ko’Olina on Oahu.
Table of Contents
What is Aloha Wear
According the Hawaii Guide, the aloha shirt started in the 1930s with a shop keeper in Waikiki, Ellery Chun. Tourists and surfers loved his aloha shirt so much he kept selling out. After WWII servicemen and women would return home to the mainland with their aloha shirts. Then the tourism boom of the 1950s and the rest is history!
What You Wear Matters
I tried to avoid it for years. But the fact is it matters.
It may not make or break the anything, but planning out the details of undergarments, colors and movement will go a long way to a great experience and even better photos!
Get every tip, trick, and clothing idea I have from 12 years experience all in one place.
What aloha wear colors look good in camera?
The colors you choose to wear – no matter if its aloha wear or not – should be based a couple considerations:
- Photographic style of your photographer – is it light and airy? Bright and vibrant? Dark and moody? That end style will determine what colors will suite the entire image best.
- Photoshoot Location – Are you taking your family photos on the beach or in the mountains? Is it a dark and rocky beach? Or sandy and bright?
- Your own family’s complextion and preference – at the end of the day, this photos are YOURS. You are commissioning this art for yourself and your family. You need to feel confident & comfortable! The colors you choose should make you and your family look good and feel good.
Aloha Wear Ideas
Aloha wear can be done a couple different ways. Everyone in the group can wear the same print, the same color, or you can mix it up adding neutrals. Or in a large party, every nuclear family can wear a different color.
- Everyone wear the same exact aloha print
- Pick one color and mix up the prints
- Add in neutral colors like a white dress, khaki pants, or solid colors to complement the aloha wear
- In an extended family, every nuclear family wear their own color
Matching Hawaiian Outfits for Family
Finding matching Hawaiian outfits for a family can be tedious. Most shops online separate all of their apparel by men’s, women’s, girls and boys. Sounds simple enough but you actually spend a great deal of time going back and forth to see if the print you like is available in every size and color. Total headache!
Some shops like Hilo Hattie and Pineapples Boutique actually put all their family options in one place so its MUCH simpler for finding sizes and prints for everyone.
These shops put their matching Hawaiian outfits for family in a single collection:
Matching Hawaiian Shirt and dress
Finding matching Hawaiian shirts and dress requires finding a shop that uses that same material to make both a shirt and dress. But because most online shops separate shirts from dresses it can be a total headache.
These shops actually making matching Hawaiian shirts and dress:
Matching Hawaiian Shirts for Family
Finding matching Hawaiian shirts for family can be tedious. Most shops online separate all of their apparel by men’s, women’s, girls and boys. Sounds simple enough but you actually spend a great deal of time going back and forth to see if the print you like is available in every size and color. Total headache!
These shops put their prints and sizes for the whole family in one place:
Where to Find Matching Aloha Wear
Reyn Spooner – Also started in the 30s, Reyn Spooner’s operations are largely overseas in China. One of the top designers for aloha wear, and the ever necessary Christmas Aloha Shirt
Reyn Spooner has paired up with MLB, NBA, and collegiate teams to blend aloha wear with your favorite team.
Kahala is the original Aloha shirt that started back in 1936. They’re they ONLY aloha shirt that is still made in Hawaii. The others have moved to China.
Kahala has a single core print that is always available. Its the print designed specially for Duke Khanamoku (famous surfer and olympic athlete from the 1920s). This is the classic, high quality, and traditional matching aloha wear.
Hilo Hattie – Hilo Hattie has been around for 60 years, focused on crafting Hawaii products in Hawaii. Their “aloha wear is cut, sewn, and stitched locally by workers here on the islands. Each vibrant shirt, dress, and ensemble is made with the spirit of aloha from the moment the fabric is cut to the final stitch.” They have a special section that makes matching your family super easy.
They have several stores across the island including Hawaii, Oahu, Maui and Kauai.
- Free domestic shipping on orders $100 or more
Shaka Time – est 1991 in Maui. Shaka Time is located in Honolulu, on the island of Oahu. They offer matching aloha wear for infants, kids, men, women, couples sets and even wedding attire.
- Get 10% off your first order
- Free shipping on orders over $49
My Personal Favorite Boutique for Matching Aloha Wear
My favorite is Pineapples Boutique in Ko’Olina, across from Four Seasons & Disney Aulani. Its truly a small business with local roots – half of why I love them so much!
The prints and styles are designed in Hawaii. While garments aren’t made in Hawaii, or America, its not China either!
They have everything from kids to adults, matching aloha wear in the form of shirts & dresses for all sizes. And so many prints and cuts!
I have a dress and pant that I love so very much. The material is soft, light weight blows so beautifully in the wind!
- Buy one, get one 50% off in store
Keep reading about cake smash photography for your babe with Indianapolis cake smash photographer, Aleah!
More Resources for Hawaii Family Photos
I'm a USMC spouse, South Carolina native, recovering homeschool mama of a 4 boy circus. They've taught me the most important facet of family photography: KEEP IT FUN!
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This is a great resource to find these matching outfits! Your photos are beautiful.
How fun are those matching outfits! Perfect Hawaii!