And, by the way, I've just about signed up for my next world journey, beginning in March, and ending with a week of golf near Napa Valley. Anyway, it was about fifteen years ago, I was browsing through Ross and saw a comfortable-looking t-shirt. Canary yellow, silky soft, only $12. I had not owned a yellow shirt for a very long time. In the third grade I got stung by a bee when I was wearing a yellow aloha shirt. This was to be my first yellow shirt in half a century.
Then, a couple of weeks later, I saw the same shirt in Ross for $8. So I bought it. Wow, saved $4. A month later I happened to be in Las Vegas, and joined my family to Ross, where I saw that same shirt for $14. When I returned to Honolulu, I went straight to Ross, and saw that the price had dropped to $3. I bought three, Count now up to five. A week later, the price was $2, so I bought three more. A couple of weeks later, there was one left, a 3X, for $1. Purchased my ninth. I gave two away. I use it for sleeping. I have no idea what the make is:
This is my most comfortable shirt, and I've washed them innumerable times. They are still as good as new.
Maybe a quarter century ago, when I now and then was fitted for tailored suits in Bangkok, I decided to also get two safari shirts. Last year I ordered a few of my 8th generation. The material is now a lot more comfortable, with zipper pockets, and now, even inside pockets.
This time I made two long-sleeve versions. I never really counted, but would guess 20 safari shirts. How much did they cost? All of them, combined, amount to less than one night at the Ritz Carlton Tokyo. I get comments all the time from people who love the style. I do, too.
This is my most functional shirt, for I can place all kinds of things in the pockets, and zipper them closed. The long sleeve is great for travel, for I just take it off during the check-in ceremony. Will be back at Jackie's Tailor in April to try a lighter material.
No kidding, I'm an authority on tailored suits from the Orient. In the seventies, Hong Kong was the rage. Maybe $100/suit for the best ones. In the earlier 80's, Taiwan got into the act. For $100 you could get a decent outfit (jacket, trousers, vest and shirt, with a free tie), and it would be ready in three days at most. By the later 80's Itaewon in South Korea took over. Better quality, still for $100. Then in the 90's Bangkok arrived with $50 suits. They were not great, but I still own a couple from the era, and began my pathway for the ultimate safari shirts. Today, you can still probably get a suit made in Bangkok for $50, but the quality will be terrible.
Incidentally, at one time I must have owned more than 50 ties. I still own a lot, even though I have not used one for many years. Anyone want a tie? I should sell them on eBay.
My favorite is elegantly clownish. Most of my ties cost less than $3. However, in 1990 I bought a Jim Thompson silk tie for $150 (equivalent worth today because of inflation would be $272). The first time I used it, some chicken grease spilled on it. Try getting grease out of a silk tie. Below, the Jim Thompson is on the left.
Which would you wear today?
The third shirt-type can only be found in South Korea. Their long sleeve golf shirts are light, silky and comfortable. I've washed them a lot and the only change is that the lighter colors all turn various shades of gray. I only place sun block on my face, for the sleeves protect the arms, and the combination of socks and shorts protects most of my legs. This is embarrassing, but I have 40 of them in all colors of the rainbow and more.
The first one I bought cost almost $200. You can now find them for $30 or so, but need to bargain at the outlets. Mario is a good place. I'll be back in April. Why? Why not.
I have a few really expensive aloha shirts, which to me is more than $100:
I don't enjoy ironing shirts, but like to think that mine are made of material that need no ironing. I have not felt a comfortable Reyn-Spooner shirt. I bought a palaka (left) ... threw it away.
Tori Richards kabe crepe is okay. To the right is the type businessmen in downtown Honolulu wear, tucked-in. To me, this tradition, which involves a suffocating belt, defeats the whole principle of informality and comfort in aloha wear. I've tried suspenders, and still do on occasion. I still own a dozen of them.
Bailey's Antiques has 15,000 of them. Many are cheap. I actually bought one for $3 and still use it. However, they have some that will set you back several hundred dollars, each, and up to $4500. I have enough shirts for two more lifetimes. I may never again buy an aloha shirt.
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