Island Attire
WHAT TO WEAR IN HAWAII
Hawaiian weather can change pretty frequently, and can vary drastically in different areas of the island. I like to keep a few clothing layers in my car, as well as a swimsuit and hiking shoes at all times. Attire here is very casual. There are so many places to shop here that have more island-y options than the mainland so save room in your bag and find some wearable souvenirs! I love the shops on the North Shore, they carry many popular surf brands and beautiful bikinis.
Beachwear
Beachwear in Hawaii is whatever you feel comfortable in. The popular bikinis are much smaller here than most people are used to on the mainland. Don't be surprised if you see a lot of thong bikinis. Some secluded beaches are even known for their topless beachgoers. My bikini style has definitely changed since I've moved here. I also love a good one-piece, especially for surfing! I tend to get a sternum rash if I'm not surfing at least a couple times a week. Rash guards and wetsuits prevent this. The water is obviously warmer than say California, but I still get chilly in the winter months and like to wear a 2-3mm shortie wetsuit while surfing. There are plenty of places to buy a new suit here if you want to spice up your swim beach wardrobe. One of my favorite island shops is Surf and Sea in Haleiwa on the North Shore. They have a huge selection of suits, clothes, boards, and souvenirs. It's the oldest surf shop on the island. HIC is another popular surf shop with plenty of suits to choose from. Check online to make sure they don't have deals going on. You can usually get 10-15% off by signing up for emails. Even Ross and TJ Maxx have a better selection than you might find on the mainland. I've found some nice, name brand suits there for cheap. Plenty of places sell sarongs, or as they call them in Hawaii "Pareos". Lots of souvenir shops sell them, Costco even has some cute ones for about $8. I like to always keep one in my car. I can throw it on as a dress or skirt if I need a quick post-beach outfit.
Some of my Favorite local Swim Brands:
My Favorite Beach Hat (Papale)
Going out
For a night out in town, you can't go wrong with a cute sundress. As for shoes, almost everyone wears sandals (slippers). I've worn heels a few times and have regretted it every time {lots of walking + humidity... not a good duo}. They look cute for photos, but maybe bring a pair of sandals to change in afterward (see first photo for example!) Some clubby bars in Honolulu/Waikiki require men to wear closed-toe shoes and may not allow hats, but we don't normally frequent places like that. Guys usually wear a nice button up and slacks with decent sneakers. You can never go wrong with an aloha shirt! In Hawaii, these floral button ups are considered business casual, many people wear them to work. There are a lot of nice brands to choose from as well, so don't feel like you need to buy before you come. Ryan has scored some great deals at the Rip Curl outlet in Kapolei.
Everywhere else on the island is even more lax. You'll stick out like a tourist dressing too fancy on the North Shore, we joke "the grungier, the better". I'd say, just dress comfortably! If that means heels and a cute dress, or shorts and flip flops - go for it!
Hiking
There are many different kinds of hikes on Oahu - open terrain, waterfalls, tropical forests, lush ridge hikes. Different clothing choices may make your hike a little more comfortable. For waterfall hikes I highly recommend Keen hiking sandals. They may not be the sexiest of shoes, but mine saved many toenails from getting stubbed off while tripping over roots and rocks. They are nice for the hot, Hawaiian climate as well. Having sweaty socks while hiking is the worst. I do have some high-top hiking boots which save my ankles from rolling while ridge hiking, but they tend to get pretty hot. I got some wicked blisters the last time I hiked Mt. Olympus and walked the final two miles barefoot. Many people actually hike barefoot here. Out of a slight fear of the merciless centipedes that frequent hiking trails I tend to avoid doing that. I usually wear tights or longer spandex, depending on the trail. Some trails can be thick with sharp brush, so longer leggings are nice for these. Others may be in the open, and cooler shorts may be better suited for a hot hike.
I usually bring a fanny pack for snacks, or a small hiking backpack with my camel back water bladder.
