All About Sun Surf Aloha Shirts!
Sun Surf is a brand that focuses on vintage rayon aloha shirts created during the golden era of the 1930s to 1950s. Established in the 1970s, Sun Surf has meticulously collected and analyzed thousands of vintage aloha shirts. These shirts are renowned for their vibrant colors and deep hues, achieved through traditional printing techniques such as discharge printing and overprinting. Sun Surf aims to bring the charm of these rare, hard-to-find vintage aloha shirts to a wider audience by paying close attention to detail and reviving many classic designs for the modern era.
On this page, you'll find everything from the rich history and unique materials used in these iconic shirts to the intricate printing techniques and various design patterns. We'll also dive into the special series that Sun Surf offers and the story behind the origins and evolution of aloha shirts.
1. Materials of Aloha Shirts
The most highly regarded vintage aloha shirts, created from the 1930s to the 1950s, are made from rayon. Rayon, also known as artificial silk, is a natural fiber derived from plants. It offers excellent moisture absorption and release, a smooth texture, and high heat dissipation, making it ideal for Hawaii's tropical climate. Throughout the history of aloha shirts, materials such as silk, cotton, and polyester have also been used.
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FILAMENT RAYON
SS39230 SUNSURF RAYON HAWAIIAN SHIRT “ALL ABOARD”This plain weave fabric uses filament rayon for both warp and weft threads, giving it a distinctive sheen and a cooling, comfortable feel.
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KABE CREPE
SS39066 SUN SURF SPECIAL EDITION HAWAIIAN SHIRT “USHIWAKAMARU FIGHTING BENKEI”Made with untwisted rayon warp threads and rayon wall threads for the weft, this fabric features a textured surface, often seen in traditional Japanese patterns.
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RAYON FUJIETTE
DK39235 SUNSURF DUKE KAHANAMOKU SPECIAL EDITION “MORNING GLORY”A plain weave fabric combining filament rayon for the warp and spun rayon for the weft, resembling the softness of Fuji silk with the unique texture of rayon.
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FUJI SILK
Originally used for traditional Japanese clothing, this plain weave silk fabric features overprinted Japanese patterns and occasional Western designs created using discharge printing.
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HOPSACK
SS39275 SUN SURF SPECIAL EDITION HAWAIIAN SHIRT “DIVER”A durable plain weave fabric with a coarse texture, often used in combination with cotton or linen in addition to rayon.
2. Printing Techniques for Aloha Shirts
There are two main printing techniques used for aloha shirts: discharge printing and overprinting. The choice of technique depends on the fabric, design, and number of colors used.
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Discharge Printing
SS39284 SUNSURF COTTON × LINEN OPEN SHIRT “SURFBOARDS”This technique involves dyeing the fabric and then using a discharge agent to remove the dye from the patterned areas while simultaneously adding new colors. This creates vivid contrasts between the background and the design.
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Overprinting
SS39279 SUNSURF COTTON HERRINGBONE OPEN SHIRT “ARMY VEHICLE”This method layers stronger colors over lighter background colors. It allows for a greater variety of colors and beautiful gradations, making it ideal for realistic designs like traditional Japanese patterns.
3. Patterns and Design of Aloha Shirts
The patterns and designs of aloha shirts are closely related to the materials and printing techniques used, as well as changes over time. In the early days of aloha shirts in the 1930s, the predominant pattern was the "All Over Pattern." Over the years, the motifs in these patterns gradually increased in size. By the late 1940s, a more flamboyant style emerged known as the "Border Pattern."
During the peak of aloha shirts in the 1950s, even bolder designs came into vogue, such as the "Horizontal Pattern," which made the shirt itself look like a single painting. On the mainland U.S., designs like the "Back Panel Pattern" and "Picture Print" became popular, offering more dramatic and impactful visuals.
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All Over Pattern
SS39061 SUN SURF SPECIAL EDITION HAWAIIAN SHIRT “HAWAIIAN HOSPITALITY”This design features a continuous pattern that repeats across the entire shirt, making it one of the oldest and most traditional styles due to minimal fabric cutting and sewing restrictions.
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Border Pattern
SS39230 SUNSURF RAYON HAWAIIAN SHIRT “ALL ABOARD”Introduced in the late 1940s and popularized in the 1950s, this design has motifs running vertically down the shirt, often giving the appearance of leis draped around the neck.
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Horizontal Pattern
DK39235 SUNSURF DUKE KAHANAMOKU SPECIAL EDITION “MORNING GLORY” (SHORT SLEEVE)This design clearly defines the top and bottom sections of the shirt, named for its horizontal layout across the fabric, often featuring a horizon line within the pattern.
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Back Panel Pattern
SS39275 SUN SURF SPECIAL EDITION HAWAIIAN SHIRT “DIVER”A design that treats the back of the shirt as a single canvas, requiring precise cutting and advanced sewing techniques, making it rare and highly valuable.
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Picture Print
Before the development of transfer technology, these designs were created by meticulously engraving patterns onto plates and layering colors to achieve a photo-like appearance.
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Oriental Design
SS39277 SUN SURF SPECIAL EDITION HAWAIIAN SHIRT “CRANE FLY AWAY”Reflecting the deep cultural ties between Hawaii and Japan, these patterns often feature overprinted designs on chirimen fabric, depicting animals, landscapes, and other realistic elements. They were especially prevalent in the early aloha shirts and during the Oriental boom of the 1950s.
4. Buttons of Aloha Shirts
Aloha shirts feature a wide variety of buttons, each adding to the overall aesthetic and balance of the design.
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Coconut Buttons
SS39061 SUN SURF SPECIAL EDITION HAWAIIAN SHIRT “HAWAIIAN HOSPITALITY”Made from carved coconut shells, these are the most common type, available in various designs and sizes.
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Bamboo Buttons
SS39066 SUN SURF SPECIAL EDITION HAWAIIAN SHIRT “USHIWAKAMARU FIGHTING BENKEI”Crafted from dense bamboo, these buttons polish to a shine and pair well with oriental motifs.
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White Pearl Buttons
These buttons are made from mother-of-pearl, known for their beautiful luster and refined appearance.
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Black Pearl Buttons
Similar to white pearl buttons, but made from black pearl, often used in higher-end shirts.
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Composite Buttons
Made by mixing urea resin with ground shell, these buttons mimic the unique sheen of real shells.
5. Klaxon's Recommended Sun Surf Series
SUN SURF SPECIAL EDITION
These aloha shirts symbolize the paradise of Hawaii, deeply influenced by Japanese immigrants. They feature both tropical and Japanese patterns, recreating the vibrant prints and striking designs of the mid-20th century when Hawaii established itself as a prime tourist destination. By collecting vintage aloha shirts, Sun Surf occasionally encounters special pieces, and the Special Edition line meticulously recreates these masterpieces. With luxurious multi-color prints and dramatic designs, each Special Edition shirt honors the original textile designers who created these now-rare works.
STAR OF HOLLYWOOD
This brand from the 1950s, once known only to a few vintage clothing enthusiasts, is renowned for its striking and unforgettable designs. The brand's fabrics and motifs were assembled with exceptional taste, making each piece a standout. Based on the masterpieces of the time, Sun Surf's Star of Hollywood series proudly presents original designs that stay true to the brand's legacy of bold and captivating style.
KEONI OF HAWAII
In 1996, Sun Surf discovered that legendary textile designer John Meigs was still alive. Visiting him, they found previously unpublished works he had created in the 1940s. These designs were produced under the "Keoni of Hawaii" name, and Meigs even resumed designing aloha shirts. Although he retired due to age-related challenges in 2001, other artists who shared his vision continued his work, ensuring the brand's enduring legacy.
DUKE KAHANAMOKU SPECIAL EDITION
Named after the Hawaiian hero and legendary waterman Duke Kahanamoku, this collection celebrates his contributions to both sports and Hawaiian culture. A gold medalist swimmer and the father of modern surfing, Duke started his own aloha shirt brand in the 1930s, using his fame to promote Hawaiian culture worldwide. Sun Surf's Special Edition honors Duke's legacy by faithfully recreating the vintage aloha shirts that bear his name, bringing his exceptional taste and influence to modern audiences.
The Origins and History of Aloha Shirts
Founded in the 1970s, Sun Surf has analyzed thousands of vintage aloha shirts collected over the years. These shirts are celebrated for their vibrant prints and deep colors, achieved through traditional printing techniques such as discharge printing and overprinting. By meticulously reproducing the details of these classic designs, Sun Surf brings the allure of rare vintage aloha shirts to a wider audience.
SUN SURF Recommended Items
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DK37811 / SUNSURF DUKE KAHANAMOKU COTTON HAWAIIAN SHIRT “DUKE'S PINEAPPLE”
Regular price $109.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / perSold out -
SS39213 / SUNSURF RAYON HAWAIIAN SHIRT “LOVELY HULA HANDS”
Regular price $102.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
SS39272 / SUN SURF SPECIAL EDITION HAWAIIAN SHIRT “HAWAIIAN WONDERLAND”
Regular price $192.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / perSold out -
SS39284 / SUNSURF COTTON × LINEN OPEN SHIRT “SURFBOARDS”
Regular price $102.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per