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In mainland America, we have Casual Fridays. In Honolulu, Hawaii, the workers celebrate the end of the long work week with "Aloha Fridays," and they wear their very best floral shirts. This aloha attire or aloha wear is extremely popular with tourists as well, who want to buy classic examples to wear while on vacation, or to bring back home as a souvenir.

The shirts made in Hawaii to export to the mainland United States are not the same as what the native islanders wear. Those ugly, blinding patterned shirts you see on stereotypical tourists would never be worn as aloha attire by a Hawaiian. To find the real thing -the beautifully-patterned, muted color tropical shirts the islanders favor- you have to know where to shop. The following are recommended spots where you can find authentic aloha wear in Honolulu that even a local would wear proudly.

Aloha Attire for Men in Honolulu

Some of the best-selling aloha menswear on the island is from Tommy Bahama, at 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu. The shirts here are famous even outside of Hawaii for their high quality, and you'll find beautiful shirts in linen, cotton, and textured silks. The luxurious designs are worthy of wearing to dressy events while you're in Hawaii, but they do come with a luxury price tag, too. You'll pay around $80 to $120 for one, but you'll find the shirts to be a worthy splurge.

For less money, but shirts that are just as good, try Avanti Fashion. Located at 2164 Kalakaua Ave in Honolulu (and other locations around Hawaii), their aloha shirts have a decidedly vintage vibe. The silk creations average around $60 and are based on authentic Hawaiian prints from the 1930s to the 1950s. Avanti also has dresses for women that are just as beautiful.

Kahala Sportswear (at 424 Sumner Street, Honolulu, and other locations) has been making aloha shirts locally since 1936, and have a solid reputation among the locals. Their specialty is making spectacular reproductions of Hawaiian artists' lino-block prints on fabric. The result is a shirt that is a wearable work of art that is as unique as the island's own history and culture.

Aloha Attire for Women in Honolulu

If you'd like a muumuu that doesn't look old-fashioned, Tutuvi (2636 S King St, Honolulu) has authentic Hawaiian dresses that combine traditional prints and designs with whimsical, modern colors. Some of them are even printed on a suitcase-friendly jersey knit that will still look fresh while you hop the islands. Their most stunning pieces are theirpareaus

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