Luaus (pronounced loo-ow) are traditional Hawaiian celebratory feasts held in honor of anything from weddings to birthdays to, in ancient times, victories in battle. Today, they retain much of this same symbolism and are thrown by islanders and mainlanders alike for birthdays, parties or just simple get-togethers. However, unless you live in Hawaii, it can be difficult to know what to wear to these occasions. Does this Spark an idea?
For the Women
The most traditional garb for women to wear to a luau is the grass skirt and coconut-shell top. But that might be just a tad breezy for today's standards, although perfectly acceptable if the luau is a theme party or more old-school. These days, the grass skirt is usually plastic and can be purchased at party stores or specialty stores. Or, if you're more of a hands-on person, you can make one.
If the grass skirt isn't for you, modern garb is available. Any dress with a Hawaiian print on it is acceptable. If you don't have anything like that, then try anything bright and colorful. Luaus are festivals, parties, places where cheer is in bountiful supply, so your wardrobe should reflect that. Lastly, the lei, a necklace made of flowers, is another piece of traditional garb that can be worn to a luau, and is recommended for any party-goer.
For the Men
This is going to sound strange, guys, but grass skirts also are a traditional choice for you. In old Hawaii, both men and women wore grass skirts.
If the grass skirt is not to your liking, then the same advice given to the women applies here. Hawaiian print shirts and Hawaiian print shorts and flip-flops are good choices. If you don't own a Hawaiian print, then anything cheerful and colorful will suffice. The shorts and flip-flops are optional, of course. Long pants are acceptable, as are closed-toed shoes. But keep in mind, luau's are intended to be more casual gatherings. And a lei is an almost-necessity for men attending a luau.
What Not to Wear
When deciding what to wear for a luau, remember that while it is a party and a social event, it is intended to be a casual one. While there are very few hard-and-fast rules for a luau, business attire, or more formal party wear, is definitely unacceptable. No suits and no fancy shoes. Luaus are for enjoyment of friends and family and good food, not to show off the latest fashions.
Tags: grass skirt, Hawaiian print, grass skirts, shorts flip-flops, then anything, traditional garb, wear luau