After noticing both Gil and Stan wearing their Hawaiian shirts in the two morning classes, I realized that these studly men must be planning some sort of conspiracy. But then again, they could also simply be fitting into the summer weather.
Since these two men caught my eye (and just to clarify: I am not obsessed with older men as much as my praise for them in an earlier blog might make you think), I decided to look up some historical facts on Hawaiian shirts.
Stan Kelton sports his tan Hawaiian shirt as I try to mimic his classic smile. I think I failed.
Apparently, the patterned designs of Hawaiian shirts are influenced by various eastern cultures, especially Japan and the Philippines. The site also mentions a guy by the name of Ellery Chun, a Yale graduate during the Great Depression who “began selling bright print short sleeve shirts made out of the leftover material from Japanese Kimonos.” Leave it to the intellectuals of Yale to create hippie-associated wear.
But in any case, the success of Hawaiian shirts resides in its ability to comfortably fit the subject wearing them. Stan, pictured above, looks quite snug in his Hawaiian shirt to me.
Maybe I should get one myself.