Maui Dress Code: No Shoes, No Shirt, No Worries

On the Mainland I was a working professional.  I wore nice dress pants, button up shirt, tie, and polished shoes to work.  If I were to go out to a nice dinner or out on the town I may go casual with nice jeans, nice button up shirt, and dressy shoes.  Amost every shirt I would wear would need to be pressed and/or drycleaned. 

If I were to wear this type of "professional" wear here on Maui I would never be taken seriously.  Here is what is professional wear here.  For a man you will probably where some type of khaki pants.  I personally did not own any and this had to be one of my first purchases.  Then you will wear some type of short sleeve nicer shirt.  Could be a button up, polo or the most popular....the Aloha Shirt.  Yes it's true that professional men here in Maui wear Aloha shirts and they are considered to be the norm.  Now let me clarify.  It should not be a Brightly Colored Outrageous Hawaiian shirt.  These are reserved for tourists and if you wear one you may as well have a sign on your forehead that says "I'm on Vacation".  No it should be a bit more simple with softer colors.  Most can be worn un-tucked and you will still look professional by Maui standards (my 6th grade teacher would not approve).  Some are actually worn tucked in.  My least favorite also happens to be one of the most popular which is the slightly faded aloha shirt with button only going down half the shirt.  I think these are ridiculous, but do not be surprised if you see a businessman or lawyer wearing one.  Shoes are a loafer type slip on or flip flops (here known by the name Slippahs).  So after being dressed you look ready to take sail on the Love Boat but in all actuality people will find you to look nice and professional.  The style is always based on comfort.  Woman can also leave those Pant Suits on the Mainland and go with a more comfortable/casual look.

When not working shorts, t-shirt, and slippahs are what is worn.  The shorts can be board shorts and no one will give you a second look.  Have you have heard the phrase "No Shirt No Shoes No Service"?  Well is does not apply here.  Not uncommon to see people wearing no shoes or shirt at all.  And on a couple beaches nothing at all, but that is another story. 

So when you finally move to Maui and you are thinking of what you will need, unfortunately the $1000's of dollars you have spent on your wardrobe will not be needed.  Grab a couple pairs of shorts, a couple tees, and pair of slippahs and you are good to go.