Sun Surf Vintage-Style Hawaiian Shirt, Noh-Men, Black
This shirt is very special because it is made from the costly Kabe crepe rayon and it depicts the masks used in the Japanese theatrical art of "Noh,"which is a type of play where various masks are used to depict a change in characters and emotions and moods.
Kabe crepe rayon has the appearance and feel somewhat similar to crepe paper, hence the name. Crepe rayon is not as slick as rayon acetate, but is still very light and airy. This style was originally produced in Hawaii in the 1950’s by Sun Bros. Co., it is outfitted with a single pocket, genuine wooden buttons that precisely match those found on the original shirt, and a label that typifies the original designs of the era, this particular shirt is perfect for anyone seeking a classic look from the “golden years” of Hawaiian shirts or in need of an all-over print that easily is complemented with so many other color choices in one’s wardrobe.
Vintage Hawaiian shirts were typically made of high-quality rayon acetate, the formula for which was lost in a Dupont factory fire back in the 1950’s. This Sun Surf design is printed on high-quality rayon acetate that perfectly duplicates the hand and weight of the long-lost rayon of the “good old days.” Unquestionably, Sun Surf rayon is the most authentic in the vintage Hawaiian shirt industry today. Just as with the original fabric it copies, this material is extremely breathable and airy, and it takes the original screen printing inks as splendidly as did the vintage originals.
To help preserve the color and fabric, dry cleaning is the only laundering method endorsed by the manufacturer.
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Sun Surf Vintage-Style Hawaiian Shirt, Screw Pine Border
This dazzling floral vertical border print was originally produced in Hawaii in the late 1940's by Kuu-Ipo. Outfitted with a single pocket, genuine coconut-shell buttons that precisely match those found on the original shirt, and a label that typifies the original designs of the era, this particular shirt is perfect for anyone seeking a classic look from the “golden years” of Hawaiian shirts or in need of a dazzling border style. Green is a rare color to locate in vintage Hawaiian shirts and the combination of colors on the green background of this shirt makes this absolutely a standout!
Vintage Hawaiian shirts were typically made of high-quality rayon acetate, the formula for which was lost in a Dupont factory fire back in the 1950’s. This Sun Surf design is printed on high-quality rayon acetate that perfectly duplicates the hand and weight of the long-lost rayon of the “good old days.” Unquestionably, Sun Surf rayon is the most authentic in the vintage Hawaiian shirt industry today. Just as with the original fabric it copies, this material is extremely breathable and airy, and it takes the original screen printing inks as splendidly as did the vintage originals.
To help preserve the color and fabric, dry cleaning is the only laundering method endorsed by the manufacturer.
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Sun Surf Vintage-Style Hawaiian Shirt, Traditional Tattoo Motif
This is one of the most unique Hawaiian shirts Sun Surf has offered in years. The design emulates the traditional tattoo patterns once in use by native tribes, but incorporated in a Hawaiian shirt as originally produced by Watumull's in 1940.
Outfitted with a single pocket, genuine coconut-shell buttons that precisely match those found on the original shirt, and a label that typifies the original designs of the era, this particular shirt is perfect for anyone seeking a totally unique look from the “golden years” of Hawaiian shirts in a killer border style.
Vintage Hawaiian shirts were typically made of high-quality rayon acetate, the formula for which was lost in a Dupont factory fire back in the 1950’s. This Sun Surf design is printed on high-quality rayon acetate that perfectly duplicates the hand and weight of the long-lost rayon of the “good old days.” Unquestionably, Sun Surf rayon is the most authentic in the vintage Hawaiian shirt industry today. Just as with the original fabric it copies, this material is extremely breathable and airy, and it takes the original screen printing inks as splendidly as did the vintage originals.
To help preserve the color and fabric, dry cleaning is the only laundering method endorsed by the manufacturer.
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Sun Surf Vintage-Style Hawaiian Shirt, United Airlines
This shirt is special because it is offered in a rare color, brown, and it is offered in size XXL.
Originally produced in Hawaii in 1950 under the Waikiki Sports label, it is outfitted with a single invisible pocket, genuine urea buttons that precisely match those found on the original shirt, and a label that typifies the original designs of the era. This shirt features propeller-driven United Airlines airliners and the tourists they deposited in Hawaii, making it the perfect selection for anyone seeking a classic look from the “golden years” of Hawaiian shirts or in need of tourist print in a rare color.
Vintage Hawaiian shirts were typically made of high-quality rayon acetate, the formula for which was lost in a Dupont factory fire back in the 1950’s. This Sun Surf design is printed on high-quality rayon acetate that perfectly duplicates the hand and weight of the long-lost rayon of the “good old days.” Unquestionably, Sun Surf rayon is the most authentic in the vintage Hawaiian shirt industry today. Just as with the original fabric it copies, this material is extremely breathable and airy, and it takes the original screen printing inks as splendidly as did the vintage originals.
To help preserve the color and fabric, dry cleaning is the only laundering method endorsed by the manufacturer.
Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.
Imported from Japan
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Thunderbird Field Instructor’s Flying Jacket, Navy Blue
This flight jacket is rooted in pre-WWII Hollywood. Thunderbird Field was a creation of Hollywood producer Leland Hayward, along with investors James Stewart, Cary Grant, Henry Fonda, Robert Taylor and Margaret Sullivan. Thoughtfully laid out, the airfield could be seen as an etching of the mythical Anasazi Thunderbird from the air. The control tower formed the head of the bird, the administration buildings and barracks its body, the hangers its wings, and the gardens its feathered tail.
In 1941 the field became part of the United States Army Air Force's training establishment and contract-based primary flight training base for Allied pilots of various nations throughout the war.
The Thunderbird Field Instructor's Flight Jacket is based upon traditional flight jacket and garment designs of the period, being strikingly similar to the USAC A-1 Flying Jacket of the 1920s. Made from 100% wool serge dyed in navy blue for the body, dark brown WarHorse® leather for the sleeves, and rayon-satin for the lining, this light-weight, easy-to-wear jacket has both classic vintage style and practical versatility: Worn in the autumn over just a T-shirt, or in the winter over a sweater - it fits the bill. The slick, high-quality rayon lining means it slips on and off easily, and the all-wool knit trim to collar, cuffs and waist keep the wind gusts out.
Stitched to the left upper left shoulder is an absolute spot-on reproduction of the famous Thunderbird Field embroidered patch, which has been produced on original 1920s looms using rayon yarns (which gives the patch an authentic, vintage look and feel), making it indistinguishable from an original example.
Sizes available: 36-48 regular. Long and extra-long fittings available at no additional cost on special order only. Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.
Imported from England
Gift Certificates Available
*Price includes
U. S. customs duty,
processing fees, currency-
conversion fees and
shipping & insurance from
the manufacturer to the USA.
Click for Information and Photos
Thunderbird Field Instructor’s Flying Jacket, Olive Drab
This flight jacket is rooted in pre-WWII Hollywood. Thunderbird Field was a creation of Hollywood producer Leland Hayward, along with investors James Stewart, Cary Grant, Henry Fonda, Robert Taylor and Margaret Sullivan. Thoughtfully laid out, the airfield could be seen as an etching of the mythical Anasazi Thunderbird from the air. The control tower formed the head of the bird, the administration buildings and barracks its body, the hangers its wings, and the gardens its feathered tail.
In 1941 the field became part of the United States Army Air Force's training establishment and contract-based primary flight training base for Allied pilots of various nations throughout the war.
The Thunderbird Field Instructor's Flight Jacket is based upon traditional flight jacket and garment designs of the period, being strikingly similar to the USAC A-1 Flying Jacket of the 1920s. Made from 100% wool serge dyed in olive drab for the body, dark brown WarHorse® leather for the sleeves, and rayon-satin for the lining, this light-weight, easy-to-wear jacket has both classic vintage style and practical versatility: Worn in the autumn over just a T-shirt, or in the winter over a sweater - it fits the bill. The slick, high-quality rayon lining means it slips on and off easily, and the all-wool knit trim to collar, cuffs and waist keep the wind gusts out.
Stitched to the left upper left shoulder is an absolute spot-on reproduction of the famous Thunderbird Field embroidered patch, which has been produced on original 1920s looms using rayon yarns (which gives the patch an authentic, vintage look and feel), making it indistinguishable from an original example.
Sizes available: 36-48 regular. Long and extra-long fittings available at no additional cost on special order only. Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.
Imported from England
Gift Certificates Available
*Price includes
U. S. customs duty,
processing fees, currency-
conversion fees and
shipping & insurance from
the manufacturer to the USA.
Click for Information and Photos
U. S. Navy 1930’s & ’40’s Tee Shirt “Skivvy,” Off-White
The tee shirt is surely the most ubiquitous item of clothing that exists in our society today. It fills the wardrobes of billions and is available in all shapes, sizes and colors, and its had just about every logo, slogan and advertisement put upon it known to man, but its lineage is one of humble utility, being nothing more than a basic, white undergarment that functioned as underwear.
Sailors and Marines of the U. S. military in WWII were issued with these white tee shirts, officially known as a Quarter-Sleeve Undershirt, or known in military slang in conjunction with under drawers - "Skivvies." These service personnel were often seen stripped down to just this basic garment when working in hot environments or relaxing on a ship's decks; though such casual use of the undershirt didn’t begin in WWII, it was never before seen so worn in such great numbers as it was in WWII. In the decades that followed the war, especially the ‘50s, this casual style was solidified by the youth who unconsciously made it fashionable, which was further inspired by Hollywood; silver-screen icons such as Brando and Dean and a host of other heart-throb stars could be seen attired in a classic white tee shirt. Like flying jackets and jeans, the white tee shirt has secured its place in the classic-clothing wardrobe forever.
Over the years, the tee shirt has gradually evolved from its original ancestor in terms of cut, construction and quality, but it is only the original, white, military tee shirt of the late 1930s – 1940s that we identify with as markedly distinctive and more flattering than those typically encountered these many decades later.
This U. S. Navy WWII Tee Shirt we offer was copied from a new-old-stock vintage example, stitch-for-stitch. Even the nomenclature stamp in the neck with U. S. Navy contract number is reproduced exactly from the vintage example. Crafted from a fine- quality “slub yarn” cotton, they are constructed as per the original in terms of cut, seam style and color shade. The neck opening, for example, is the correct style, which is slightly bigger than most modern-day tee shirts and has no ribbing; rather, the neck is opening is simply taped in the same fabric as the shirt. The sleeves are of the true shorter, quarter-sleeve length of that era, which is much more flattering than so-called short sleeves we see today that hang down to your elbow. The shoulders are correctly proportionate to most body types relevant to chest measures and don’t droop over onto your arms as typically seen in tee shirts of the current era. And the torso is slim but also not gripping, and is long enough to be comfortably tucked in and not come out, yet also not long enough to be considered a dress as is the case with too many tee shirts on the market today. Although we refer to the shade of this shirt as "white,” actually it is an off-white color as per the original; we have matched everything exactly.
The original tee shirts were made on loop-wheel, “body-size” looms which yield a shirt with no side seams, thus weaving a perfect tube. To do this requires special looms that are only used by specialist manufacturers these days; subsequently, the looms are hard to source and expensive to produce garments on because you need one loom for each size you want made - but it's the proper way to make a vintage-style tee shirt, and it's the only way they were made for the U. S. military in the 1930's- ‘40's.
The expertise for making such a garment is largely only found in one place in the world these days - Japan. The Japanese have become renowned as world experts in vintage-style garment manufacture and home of body-size construction, being able to produce super-accurate, vintage-quality fabrics. Needless to say, we were only interested in producing the very best that could be achieved, so our U. S. Navy Tee Shirts are made in Japan.
For those who appreciate the fine details and quality of a vintage garment and, therefore, the absolute authenticity of a high-end reproduction, the Eastman U. S. Navy Tee Shirt is sure to delight. This is the definitive, classic, white tee shirt of all time.
Available in sizes 36 - 44. Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.
Imported from Japan
Gift Certificates Available
*Price includes
U. S. customs duty,
processing fees, currency-
conversion fees and
shipping & insurance from
the manufacturer to the USA.
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USAAF A-1 Mechanic’s Sweater
The A-1 sweater was designated as a Mechanic’s item even though it proved to be very popular with aircrew, largely due to its pullover design and great warmth (the lighter type C-2 zipper-front cardigan being the official aircrew knit garment). As per usual, this very, very rare item of WWII wearing apparel has been copied to a super-high standard of quality and authenticity. Particularly noteworthy is the intricate rib-and-rack weave found on the cuffs and waistband of the original examples that has been expertly copied on our sweater, along with the heavy-weight wool construction. Made from 100% worsted-wool yarns in the original light olive drab color, this is the perfect sweater to wear with your USAAF flying jacket, especially the A-2 or, better yet, fully outfitted as a master aviation crew chief mechanic with our D-1 Jacket. However, the practical design, great warmth and smart looks and color (earth tone) of this sweater cannot be overstated - it looks absolutely unique and fabulous worn just by itself with khakis or jeans and a thin black or white turtleneck layered underneath. You'll be amazed at how good you look in this sweater and how warm and versatile it is for nearly any climate, look or application. A classic in every way, and one not to be found elsewhere!
Available in sizes 36 – 48. Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.
Imported from England
Gift Certificates Available
*Price includes
U. S. customs duty,
processing fees, currency-
conversion fees and
shipping & insurance from
the manufacturer to the USA.
Click for Information and Photos
USAAF A-2 Flying Jacket 352nd Fighter Group
In homage to one of the greatest fighter units of all time, we are proud to offer the 352nd Fighter Group “Blue Noser” A-2 Flight Jacket. After interviewing several members of the 352nd, we were able to examine their original A-2 Jackets, which were famously modified with interior canvas pockets. One jacket, in particular, worn by 2nd Lt. Carleton “Bud” Fuhrman, was made by the Monarch Mfg. Co., thus we decided to produce this jacket type and copy the pocket details found in Bud’s jacket in this special reproduction of a 352nd A-2 Jacket.
As the air war in Europe escalated, Allied air missions were flying deeper into enemy territory. Because of this, pilots were becoming more at risk to being shot down and captured; accordingly, an increasing array of innovative escape and evasion survival equipment was being issued to them. Stowage was limited within the flying clothing for the ever-increasing equipment issues, thus the pilots had their A-2 Jackets modified by adding two extra inside pockets. The inside pockets are what is known as “rigger modifications:” Occasionally, certain flying clothing needed to be modified to better suit the wearer and his needs and the parachute shop where the parachute riggers worked was the place; riggers used sewing machines to repair various parachute equipment – hence “rigger modification.”
Made to the highest degree of authenticity, we have reproduced the 352nd Monarch A-2 using our premium-grade WarHorse® horsehide. We use the same quality Olive Drab canvas as was used on Bud’s jacket; as you will see from the detailed images, the pocket stitching goes right through both the lining and leather shell, just as it does on Bud’s original A-2.
These pockets are purely utilitarian and not meant as fashion as you will see from the detailed ‘Close-Up’ images on the page link on this web site. Further identifying the uniqueness of this special A-2 model, every jacket is stenciled in the back of the lining with correct wartime flight jacket stencil of the ‘352nd FTR GRP.’ This is the only A-2 Jacket we offer with interior pockets, made the way it was really done for actual combat operations in the Big League of aerial warfare in WWII. No other model is available with optional interior pockets and no other style of pockets is available.
This product is officially endorsed by the 352nd Fighter Group Pilots’ Association. Special thanks go to 352nd veterans: Robert ‘Punchy’ Powell and Carlton ‘Bud’ Fuhrman. Thanks are also extended to Mark Hamel, 352nd Ftr. Gp. historian: this special A-2 project is a testament to their invaluable help.
This A-2 Jacket is custom order only. Sizes available: 36-48 regular. Long and extra-long fittings available at no additional cost on custom order only. Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.
Imported from England
Gift Certificates Available
*Price includes
U. S. customs duty,
processing fees, currency-
conversion fees and
shipping & insurance from
the manufacturer to the USA.
Click for Information and Photos