Sierra Designs Circa Large Plaid Shirt : Mainland Meets Aloha

This May I'll return to Hawaii for the sixth consecutive year to compete in a 32-mile open ocean kayak race from the island of Molokai to Oahu. During the day the standard garb among the paddling crowd that I hang out with is board shorts and a t-shirt. At night, however, the boardies turn to jeans and swap t-shirts for Hawaiian shirts - one of those casually elegant, baggy floral print shirts immortalized by the legendary King of Hawaii crooning, Don Ho. Though I really like Aloha shirts, I find that I hardly ever wear mine when I'm home in New York. (Too location specific? Precious few invitations to luaus? Not sure.)

Enter Sierra Designs' Circa Large Plaid shirt:   Made from all-natural beech wood fibers, the Circa is exceptionally soft. It's has a wrinkle-free, relaxed fit and, well, it's got that neat Hawaiian shirt blend of comfort and cool. This month I've worn mine to a trendy wine bar for a friend's 40th birthday party, a Passover cedar (admittedly a laid-back crowd) and to coach my daughter's soccer team, hoping that the smooth material would calm my frayed nerves. (It did not; I remained a stark raving lunatic stalking the sidelines but at least the shirt felt good on my skin.)

Bottom Line : Stylish and comfortable - light and breathable (with vented arm pits) - this relaxed-fit, buttoned plaid short sleeve shirt has a convenient invisible zippered chest pocket. It's perfect for a night out or a flight to the 50th state. -- J.G. (May '08)

Price: $59.95

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