What to Wear on a Hawaii Vacation

Breathtaking scenery, magnificent sunsets, immaculate resorts, sumptuous seafood dinners, and a sense of serenity - this is your life on vacation in Hawaii. It’s not hard to see why the islands have been attracting vacationers to their shores decade after decade for some much-needed rest and relaxation.

Hawaii is all about slowing down and enjoying life and the local dress code reflects that. Casual comfort is the name of the game when it comes to fashion in Hawaii, with evening wear being a slightly more dressy version of casual chic. Even more than that, attire goes beyond the stereotypical Hawaiian shirt.

For those travelers looking to expand their wardrobe beyond the floral patterns, we several recommendations to help you kick back and enjoy the islands in comfort and style.

Embracing Island Attire

Hawaii is lush and green and that is partly due to the nutrient rich-soil provided by the volcanoes that created the islands, but it’s also thanks to the occasional rain showers typical of tropical islands. Temperatures stay warm when it rains, so we recommend a lightweight rain jacket with a hood that can be layered over a long-sleeved shirt or t-shirt when needed.

Tropical islands like Hawaii are often a touch more humid than your home, so you will feel most comfortable in breathable fabrics, cotton, and loose-fitting pieces that catch the breeze.  Here at Ploumanac’h, our ¾ Sleeve Cotton Voile Shirtdress was created specifically for hot, humid locales. Available in a variety of tropical colors, such as Edera (shown here), this dress is made from high-quality fabric and the tailoring is stylish and classic. It’s perfect for Hawaii.

Dressing For Activities

With lush forests and stunning volcanoes, Hawaii offers some incredible hiking experiences. Flip-flops, or “slippahs” as the locals call them, are standard footwear on the islands, but for hiking, we recommend a sturdy, closed-toe shoe or sandal with grippy soles. Both men and women will be comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt or tank top - just remember the sunscreen!

Sailing and whale-watching are very popular activities around the islands and with some careful planning, your nautical attire can be both stylish and practical. Breezes tend to pick up strength on the open water, so this is a perfect time to try out a fun romper instead of a dress or skirt.

Perhaps you are looking forward to getting in a few rounds of golf at one of Hawaii’s many beautiful golf courses. For golf attire, it’s best to keep things simple and classic with high-quality polo shirts paired with khaki pants or Bermuda-length shorts.

In Hawaii, there is a pretty good chance that at any given moment of the day you will be either going to, coming from, or at the beach or swimming pool. A fashionable bathing-suit coverup will certainly come in handy for those strolls from the hotel to the beach or pool. Our Long Gray Sundress is ideal because it is easy to change into and out of and the figure-flattering lines make it equally appropriate for daytime and evening. The shiny silver detail inside and around the hem adds a dash of glamour that can be complemented with accessories for a more dressy look.

Dressing Up

Trust us when we say that casual, comfortable chic is the epitome of island style, so save some space in your suitcase and leave your stilettos and anything sequined or overly formal at home.

Dinner in an upscale restaurant will see you go from casual chic to dressy casual. It is rare that men would need a tie or tuxedo but it’s worth contacting the restaurant before you depart to inquire about any dress code requirements. In most cases, men will do fine with a high-quality, well-tailored shirt. Our Men’s Voile Shirt is made from extremely breathable, soft cotton and the wide points of the collar make it perfect for layering under a jacket or sweater.

Ladies will fit right in with the island vibe in a tropical-colored maxi dress with strappy sandals or comfortable ballet flats.

Going to a luau is a great opportunity to dress up with a bit more island flair. For women, a maxi skirt paired with a tank top in a bright solid will look stunning, especially when complemented with a lei. Gentleman not quite ready for the bold florals of aloha shirts will do well in a high-quality tailored shirt in a tropical color, such as this linen shirt.

Special Pieces For Your Hawaiian Getaway

Hawaii is a magical place and we want to help you enjoy it.  Should your closet need a few new pieces to capture that island feel, check out our women’s and men’s collections. They feature stylish and comfortable tops and dresses in a range of seasonal colors.

All our clothing is designed and created in Italy with utmost care by our Italian designers. We create pieces that are comfortable and durable and feature classic tailoring, so you can enjoy wearing them on your vacation and beyond.

Aloha for now!

About the Author

Alexandra Black-Paulick

Alexandra Black-Paulick is a talented writer and travel enthusiast, her well-worn passport has traversed multiple continents on the hunt for social enterprises or tourism companies championing responsible tourism.