
History of Hawaiian Clothing
primitive male and female Hawaiians wore few garments, choosing alternatively to cover their bodies in tattoo and capes or helmets made from woven feathers, which reflected their skills and put in company. Minimal invest made from plant fibers, bark fabric or grasses, provided comfort for both men and women and were environmentally friendly. traditional garments for men included the “ malo ” or loincloth, made from plant fibers, while women wore a “ pascal ’ u ” or dame besides made from plant fibers. additionally, both sexes wore a “ kihei ” or orthogonal shawl for heat and protection from rain.
Traditional Kapa
“ Kapa, ” made by native Hawaiians, is a gentle, durable bark fabric used for making a malo or public address system ’ u vitamin a well as the rectangular shawl for both men and women. Unlike waver fabric, kapa is made by gently pounding out bark from wauke, mamaki, oloa, akala or hau trees into sheets of fabric. Colorful patterns and print designs, created from green and blue vegetable dyes were hand-painted or stamped onto the fabric with bamboo stamps and are the roots of hawaiian patterns. bouquet was further added by beating aromatic flowers into the fabric. early Hawaiians created a variety of kapa of varying textures, weights and designs, with each framework having an exclusive appoint.
Hawaiian Men’s and Boys’ Wear
Both hawaiian men and boys wear the traditional hawaiian shirt, or “ aloha shirt. ” In 1938, original aloha shirts were made from imported japanese silk fabrics with tropical designs created entirely for tourists. During World War ll, locals besides began to wear aloha shirts due to shipping disruptions. today, the hawaiian shirt is worn daily, for special occasions and on aloha Friday, a day created for locals to show off their darling polyester, cotton or silk shirt. The warm Hawaiian weather dictates that men and boys wear casual wash-and-wear clothe such as T-shirts worn over shorts and rubber slippers. The traditional malo has evolved into polyester and nylon control panel shorts. however, the malo is still worn by men over pants when performing in tribal festivals or for other significant hawaiian rituals.
Hawaiian Women’s and Girls’ Wear
The christian missionaries, who arrived in 1820 to set up operations in Maui and Oahu, preferred the native women in full clothed. Mission women designed the hawaiian mother hubbard, a long, baggy, short-sleeved dress, to accommodate women of all sizes. today, the mother hubbard is in full accepted and worn about everywhere. Both hawaiian women and girls wear clothing such as hawaiian shirts, dining table shorts, cooler tops, pants, dad ’ uracil hula skirts, and tank or spaghetti-sleeved dresses, made from cotton or silk, lavishly decorated in native floral patterns. The traditional sarong, a long fabric — wrapped around the body — is besides worn by hawaiian women and features rich people floral patterns.