The third season of Stranger Things [1] featured lots of '80s mall culture, a couple lovable new characters [2], and what the cast described as the scariest monster yet [3]. Even with all of that excitement, fans — myself included — couldn't get over [4] Jim Hopper's sweet Hawaiian shirt. And while many viewers found his new sartorial choices side-splitting, I found some Summer fashion inspiration. No, seriously. What my younger self would have cringed at, my older self is 100 percent considering purchasing — maybe because I like the look, maybe because I'm a massive David Harbour fan, who knows? Whatever the case is, after just four episodes, I decided I was going to spend my hard-earned money on a Hawaiian shirt and wear it without a hint of irony.
My interest in Hawaiian shirts actually started a year ago, when Hawaii/California-based Instagram fashion blogger Halley Elefante — known on IG as @TheSaltyBlonde [5] — posted a photo of herself wearing one from & Other Stories. I waited for that shirt to go on sale all Summer long (it didn't) until I forgot about it (I guess I didn't, either). Fast forward to this Summer, and right after seeing Harbour's magnificent pastel number on Stranger Things, I went to my first music festival in London after moving to the UK two months ago. I spotted quite a few cool festival-goers wearing Hawaiian shirts and immediately knew I finally needed one of my own.
View this post on Instagram[6]
Keep reading and and you'll see the (tropical-printed) fruits of my online shopping labour. Not only did my search include options that range from high street (ASOS has tons!) to super high-end (oh, hello, Prada and Esteban Cortazar), but it also provided some great examples of how to style a Hawaiian shirt. Tuck it all into high-waisted jeans or tie it in a knot in the front; do the half-tuck in a pair of slouchy denim shorts or let it hang loose over a pair of biker shorts. However you decide to wear it, the point is to stay cool and be comfortable — and most important of all, make sure not to take yourself too seriously.
ASOS Design Tropical Print Short Sleeve Crinkle Shirt
ASOS Design Tropical Print Short Sleeve Crinkle Shirt [8] (£28)
Zara Floral Print Shirt With Knot
Zara Floral Print Shirt With Knot [9] (£13, originally £26)
Solid & Striped Short Sleeve Button Shirt
Solid & Striped Short Sleeve Button Shirt [10] (£98)
ASOS Design Hawaiian Print Linen Wrap Top
ASOS Design Hawaiian Print Linen Wrap Top [11] (£20, originally £28)
Re/Done Printed Voile Shirt
Re/Done Printed Voile Shirt [12] (£268)
H&M Tie-Hem Resort Shirt
H&M Tie-Hem Resort Shirt [13] (£10)
ASOS Design Vintage Hawaiian Print Oversized Beach Shirt
ASOS Design Vintage Hawaiian Print Oversized Beach Shirt [14] (£24)
Chaser Rolled Tie Front Button Down
Chaser Rolled Tie Front Button Down [15] (£71)
Pink Clove Tropical Print Knot Front Shirt
Pink Clove Tropical Print Knot Front Shirt [16] (£16)
Zara Voluminous Printed Shirt
Zara Voluminous Printed Shirt [17] (£20)
Superdown Delanie Button Up Shirt
Superdown Delanie Button Up Shirt [18] (£39)
Esteban Cortazar Sea-Life Print Shirt
Esteban Cortazar Sea-Life Print Shirt [19] (£130)
Prada Floral Cotton Shirt
Prada Floral Cotton Shirt [20] (£650)
Zara Palm Tree Print Shirt
Zara Palm Tree Print Shirt [21] (£13, originally £26)
Joie Bayley Top
Joie Bayley Top [22] (£200)
Superdown Sienna Button Up Top
Superdown Sienna Button Up Top [23] (£27, originally £44)
Disney The Lion King x ASOS Design Curve Sunset Print Cropped Shirt
Disney The Lion King x ASOS Design Curve Sunset Print Cropped Shirt [24] (£35)
& Other Stories Safari Print Button Up Shirt
& Other Stories Safari Print Button Up Shirt [25] (£80)
Zara Multicoloured Floral Print Shirt
Zara Multicoloured Floral Print Shirt [26] (£13, originally £26)
ASOS Design Hawaiian Shirt
ASOS Design Hawaiian Shirt [27] (£28)
RtA Flynn Top
Rta Flynn Top [28] (£173, originally £299)