What to wear in Hawaii without looking like a tourist?
What to Wear In Hawaii: Packing List for Women
Aloha shirt or dress.
Sundress.
White T-shirt.
Tank top.
Shorts – avoid denim, opt for comfortable fabrics.
Casual dress for restaurant dinners.
Casual shirt crafted from linen or cotton.
Capris pants.
People Also Ask
If you're short on time, here's a quick answer to your question: dress like a local by wearing aloha shirts, dress modestly when visiting sacred sites, learn basic Hawaiian phrases, avoid crowded tourist traps, don't wear flip flops everywhere, and try to match the relaxed local pace and attitude.
Leggings | Leggings or athletic shorts are perfect for Hawaii hiking. For warm days you'll be more comfortable in the latter, but leggings come in handy for hiking at higher elevations on Maui, Kauai and the Big Island.
We recommend comfortable shoes for walking, shorts, sun dresses, and t- shirts. In the evening, most people switch over to dressy-casual – slightly dressier than their daytime attire – khaki shorts or trousers, polo shirts, aloha shirts, skirts, sundresses, etc.
Pack versatile clothing that you can mix and match, and dress up and down. Leave your denim at home! Denim feels so hot and bulky in the tropics. You will be much more comfortable in cotton or linen shorts or pants.
Most travelers to Hawaii don't need to bring hiking boots. As long as you're planning to do just short day hikes, you can wear sneakers. If you're planning to hike more than 4-5 miles, it's worth packing hiking boots and wool socks.
Waterproof Makeup is a MUST have on your next trip to Hawaii. A trip to Hawaii can be a blast, but not every part of Hawaii is makeup friendly. The salty beaches, sweat and summer sun can ruin your makeup. If you feel you need to have your makeup on during your stay, then this post is what you need.
Locals refer to evening wear as Aloha attire. Think dressy casual, a style that welcomes sandals in place of high heels and floral dresses instead of cocktail ones. So, if you've already packed a lovely sundress or two and some fancy sandals, you don't even have to wonder what to wear in Hawaii come evening.
Aloha attire for women : Slacks and a blouse are great as well as an aloha-style dress and sandals.
Aloha attire for men: Aloha shirts (obviously) with either loose fitting pants (think linen or cotton) or tasteful length shorts. Polo shirts are also great.
Hawaii itself is around 80 degrees year-round so you likely won't need these to wear there, except for maybe at night. Every single indoor place in Hawaii is air conditioned excessively which is why sometimes jeans are helpful!
You won't wear jeans in Hawaii, I promise! Once you feel the warm, humid air in the islands, you'll understand why. Denim just feels way too heavy for Hawaii. Instead of jeans, pack leggings (for hiking or as part of your airplane outfit) or lightweight pants.
Molokai is known for its limited resorts and attractions, which adds to its charm as the least touristy island in Hawaii. Unlike other islands that are filled with high-rise hotels and commercialized attractions, Molokai offers a more rustic and untouched experience.
Oahu is the most visited of all the Hawaiian islands, at nearly 4.7 million visitors annually. Oahu is primarily defined by the state capital of Honolulu, as well as Pearl Harbor and the famous beach known as Waikiki. These areas attract tourists by the thousands daily.
It's tempting to leave your pants at home, but Hawaii can get (a little) chilly at night. Especially during the winter or if you're staying somewhere at elevation. A pair of simple, loose-fitting linen pants or travel chinos are a great way to add a little sophistication to your evening look.
Towels – Most hotels provide their guests pool/beach towels, which can be taken along those day trips to the beach. You might also consider getting a Hawaiian towel as a souvenir while you're here.
Only ancient kapuna are allowed to wear socks and slippers, with the sock material squished up in their toe gap. Socks should only be worn with dress or athletic shoes, and please, match white ankle socks with white shoes and black socks with black shoes. No knee highs.
Socks. Speaking of shoes, not every shoe will leave your toes out to greet the warm Hawaii sands. So for those closed-toes shoes, pack a daily pair of socks, and you'll be good to go.
Casual and comfortable goes for footwear, too. That includes flats, sandals, slippers, sneakers and walking shoes that have been broken in beforehand. Nix the high heels; you won't need them — promise. Don't forget hiking boots if you're going to hike and golf shoes if you're planning to golf.
For civilian visitors, there is no official dress code at Pearl Harbor. When you're dressing for the day, however, keep in mind that you're in a place of honor and historical importance. Dress comfortably, but not so much that you risk offending anyone visiting Pearl Harbor.