Whether you are planning your first Hawaii vacation or if you’ve been to the islands many times, picking out cute outfits to wear is always fun, but it can be a bit overwhelming, too. We’ve been to Hawaii dozens and dozens and dozens of times, so I’ve kind of gotten the Hawaii vacation wear down to a science!
Color
As you will discover, Hawaii is very colorful with the beautiful blue ocean, tropical flowers and green mountains. I always feel inspired to wear more colorful clothing than what I normally wear at home on the US mainland.
Fabrics
When traveling to Hawaii, there are some type fabrics I tend to gravitate towards:
- I like wearing fabrics that are soft and comfortable. For casual tops that I might wear out to a restaurant, I often choose a cotton-based shirt with a little bit of lycra or polyester blend so that it doesn’t wrinkle easily. These type fabrics just feel better on your skin when it’s hot and humid.
- For activities like sightseeing and hiking, I like to wear quick-drying, moisture-wicking tops that have some kind of sun protection built into the fabric. This style fabric is great in many situations.
- I don’t want to waste any time ironing while I’m on vacation, so I choose fabrics that don’t easily wrinkle.
As far as fabrics that I wouldn’t recommend, I’d steer clear of any clothing that would feel scratchy in hot and humid environments. So, stay away from nylon, chiffon and stiff fabrics.
Evening wear
Hawaii is a very casual environment. So, you won’t feel the need to get too dressy, but you probably want to wear something nice so that you feel your best. At least that’s the way I feel about it. So, I tend to choose my favorite, casual summer dresses for my Hawaii trips.
Dress examples for a Hawaii vacations
One of the easier things to pack and will fit in well at any restaurant in Hawaii. Here are some examples:
This blue tropical print dress is made with a polyester blend fabric so it should be great for traveling and not easily wrinkle.
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This cute tank dress comes in other colors and it has UPF 50+ built into the fabric. This polyester-spandex blend will pack and wear well with minimal wrinkling.
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Another fun dress for Hawaii, is this dress in the “c-green-leaf” print. It is also polyester-based and is not prone to wrinkles.
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Another travel-friendly dress that would be perfect for a Hawaii vacation is this cute sundress. There are several color options that would be pretty in Hawaii. Here’s the print in the “navy rose floral”.
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The brand Columbia is known for their functional and active wear. Their clothing with “Omni-Freeze” fabric are designed to help you feel cooler when the weather is hot. The following Columbia tank dress comes in several fun styles that would be great for resort wear in Hawaii.
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If you prefer a dress with more arm coverage, Cabana Life makes some very pretty shift dresses. They have UPF 50+ built into the fabric. They’re very travel-friendly, too. They come in a variety of beach-y prints.
Of course dressier shorts or skorts make a good option to wear for some of the more casual restaurants. Skirts, pants and capri pants are also good selections. I’d probably steer clear of jeans as they feel a bit too hot to wear in Hawaii’s tropical environment.
Casual bottom examples for a Hawaii vacation
Here’s an example of a fun knee-length skort that could pull double duty to wear for sightseeing in the daytime and make a good option to wear for a casual dinner restaurant.
Cloths for sightseeing and daytime activities in Hawaii
As previously mentioned, quick-drying, moisture-wicking clothing is ideal for daytime activities and sightseeing. The reason I recommend these types of fabrics is that it pulls sweat away from you and dries quickly. Also, if you get caught out in a shower, these fabrics dry more quickly.
One top that I’ve worn a lot in Hawaii are the Hanes/Champion brand of “Cooldri” performance t-shirts. They’re inexpensive (less than $15), are moisture-wicking and provide UV protection.
A cute skort is a great option for your activities and sightseeing. They’re comfortable and practical. For a modest length, look for a golf skort. Here’s an example of a top-selling tennis/golf skort brand on Amazon that comes in many colors and patterns.
More tips and tricks for Hawaii vacation clothes
– A travel-sized container of Downy Wrinkle Release Spray is helpful to remove wrinkles. It’s also helpful to refresh your clothes that you may want to wear more than once on your trip.
– Some activities like ATV tours, horseback riding tours and ziplining either require or strongly recommend wearing long pants. As such, we recommend you bring at least one pair of quick-drying, moisture-wicking pants.
– If you go on a scenic catamaran sunset cruise or dinner cruise, I recommend you wear shorts, skorts or trousers. When you are out on the water, conditions feel much breezier, which make dresses and skirts impractical. Read more about what to wear on a catamaran cruise in Hawaii.
– A solid green, blue or pink dress or top can look more tropical look with earrings and a straw handbag.
