HAWAIIAN SHIRT FRIDAYS FAQ

I don't have a Hawaiian Shirt, what can I do?
This is the most often asked question regarding HSFs. Any attempt to wear tropical themed clothing counts. You are also welcomed to go purchase your own Hawaiian Shirt. The end of summer and fall season is a great time to find Hawaiian Shirts on clearance($4.00-$15.00) at retailers such as Younkers, Sears, Wal-Mart, etc. However, it appears that by the first week of October, Hawaiian shirts seem to be near impossible to locate.

What day of the week do Hawaiian Shirt Fridays occur?
You're kidding, right?

I just recently bought a Hawaiian Shirt. How should I take care of it?
For those of you who don't know. The traditional material Hawaiian Shirts are made of is Rayon. Check out the links page for more details about Rayon. Basically, you should hand wash them and let them hang dry. Some times they will work in a machine, but when wet, they can do funny things such as self-destruct.

I'm not sure if I'm wearing my Hawaiian Shirt correctly. Is there a guide that can help me?
From ehow.com:
1. Wear the Hawaiian shirt casually - untucked and hanging loosely.
2. Keep accessories to a minimum. Leave your cummerbunds, suspenders, belts and bow ties as far away as possible from the shirt, preferably in their respective drawers.
3. Try not to mix patterns with a Hawaiian shirt. Prints of surf scenes, flowers, and tropical fish rarely go with paisley, tweed or plaid.
4. Wear a Hawaiian shirt with plain, unassuming pants, such as khakis. This will provide a neutral background for the craziness that is the Hawaiian shirt.
5. Tan, if possible. Tropical prints look best on a body that's been to the tropics. If you are quite pale, avoid hues that emphasize your pallor.
6. Avoid wearing a Hawaiian shirt around those who are easily startled or prone to motion sickness.
7. Wear your shirt with confidence. Let people know you're wearing a Hawaiian shirt and that you're 100 percent proud of it.

Who put Matt Cover in the position of Hawaiian Shirt Day Coordinator?
Matt Cover did.

Okay, where did this idea come from?
Well, it depends on how far back you want to go...
This is an excerpt from www.alohafunwear.com:
"In Hawaii every Friday is Aloha Friday. It's the day when you wear your favorite aloha dress or aloha shirt with pride. On each and every Friday, downtown Honolulu is a sea of aloha wear, especially at lunch time when you can usually catch a free concert in the plaza at the corner of King and Bishop streets. Hawaii's aloha spirit can be found in many business offices. Companies that offer a "casual" day on Fridays need only look to the Aloha State for the source of this wonderful tradition."

Okay, that was the origin of the idea, but I picked up on it when I worked as an intern two summers ago. A fellow Univerisity of Iowa engineering intern thought it would be fun to wear Hawaiian Shirts on Friday. Hawaiian Shirt Friday at my summer job has carried over to school. This year, I've decided to get a little more aggressive in getting others to join Hawaiian Shirt Fridays.