Vintage Hawaiian Shirts

In Hawaii, Hawaiian shirts are referred to as ‘Aloha shirts’. It is said the Aloha shirt first became popular in the 1920s and 1930s, when local Japanese women would adapt kimono fabric to make men’s shirts. You’ll find a collection of vintage and contemporary Hawaiian shirts from many of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

A vintage T-shirt is a tee that is at least 20 years old. For a piece of furniture or jewelry to be considered antique, it needs to be at least 100 years old. Shop designer and vintage T-shirts in fascinating styles and colors on 1stDibs.

To tell if a t-shirt is vintage, first look at the neck label, where you can often find the maker's name. Researching the brand via trusted online resources can give you an idea of when the maker was in business and manufacturing tees like yours. To be considered vintage, a t-shirt must be at least 20 years old. If there is a graphic on the t-shirt, run your hand over it. Tees made in the 1980s or before usually have a textured graphic produced via screenprinting techniques, and the ink often formed cracks with wear and washing. If the graphic is pristine or has no raised feel, your shirt may be from the 1990s or 2000s. Because it can be difficult to date a t-shirt without experience and training, you may want to consult an expert, such as a certified appraiser or clothing authenticator. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of vintage t-shirts.

To tell if a polo shirt is vintage, you'll need to determine whether it is at least 20 years old. To do so, identify the maker using the tag inside the neckline. By researching the brand using trusted online resources, you can learn what characteristics to look for when dating its pieces. For example, Ralph Lauren has changed its label designs frequently over the years, so the logo, font, color and wording on tags can be helpful when dating a piece. With other makers, you may need to examine stitching, fabric content, wash tag design and other details. If you need help with the dating process, seek the opinion of a certified appraiser or other knowledgeable expert. On 1stDibs, explore a range of polo shirts.