Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
The classic buttons for a Hawaiian shirt are coconut buttons: flat, with two or four holes and a natural brown tone that looks good against a bright print. Usually 18L–20L is used for the front and a smaller size for the pocket. Besides coconut, mother-of-pearl buttons are found on more luxurious styles and plastic imitations on mass-market ones.
Why coconut buttons are the classic for Hawaiian shirts
The Hawaiian shirt is associated with tropical motifs, light fabric and a relaxed style. The natural coconut button continues the same story – it comes from the palm tree, looks handmade and does not compete with the pattern. A brightly coloured plastic button often clashes with the print, while coconut stays neutral but with character. That is why many brands that make resort shirts consider coconut buttons part of the authentic look of the style.
There is also a practical reason. Hawaiian shirts are made from viscose, cotton, linen or blends of these – light, fluid fabrics. A heavy button would pull the front down. A coconut button is light and flat and does not distort the fabric.
Which buttons to choose for a Hawaiian shirt
Size
| Position | Size in lignes | Approx. mm |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 18L–20L | 11.4–12.7 |
| 16L–18L | 10.2–11.4 | |
| Cuffs (long sleeve) | 16L | 10.2 |
| Children's styles | 14L–16L | 8.9–10.2 |
Hawaiian shirts do not have a classic stand collar but an open Cuban (camp) collar, so there is usually no small collar button. The top button is often fastened with a loop or remains decorative.
Number of buttons
The front usually has five to seven buttons, depending on the length of the shirt and the spacing between them. Add a pocket button if the pocket fastens, and a spare button. For long sleeves – one button per cuff.
Finish and colour
- Natural, matte – for linen shirts and muted prints;
- polished – for viscose shirts with a glossier fabric;
- lacquered – if the shirt will be washed often and needs maximum durability;
- a lighter or darker tone – choose according to the main colour of the print, not its brightest details.
How to match the button with the print
A good rule is for the button to repeat a tone that already exists in the pattern – for example the brown palm trunks or the dark shadows. That way the button looks like part of the design. On a light ground (white, sand, pastel), a dark coconut button creates contrast and emphasises the fastening. On a dark ground (black, navy, burgundy), a lighter button is more visible. If you are not sure, order samples in two tones and place them on the fabric in daylight.
Coconut or mother-of-pearl
Mother-of-pearl buttons are the other traditional choice for resort shirts. They have a pearly lustre and look especially good on silk and viscose with a more elegant print. Coconut is more informal and warmer. If your collection has two lines – casual and more expensive – you can use coconut for one and mother-of-pearl buttons for the other.
Buttons for summer and linen shirts
The same logic applies to all summer shirts, not just Hawaiian ones. Linen, with its natural uneven structure, looks good with coconut buttons, because the two materials have a similar "living" look. On a white linen shirt, a natural button is a more interesting alternative to the standard white plastic button, without looking intrusive. In beige and sand tones, coconut almost blends with the fabric and gives a very calm, measured result.
Sewing on Hawaiian shirt buttons
- Use thread in a colour close to the button or to the main tone of the print.
- Sew with a little slack, especially on viscose – the button must not pinch the fabric.
- With a double front or an interfaced placket, check that the needle of the button-sewing machine suits the thickness.
- Do a test: button and unbutton each button on the sample about ten times and wash it.
Care and label instructions
Viscose Hawaiian shirts often require a low temperature or a delicate wash, which is also good for coconut buttons. On the care label, specify ironing on the reverse side and no bleach. Care symbols are applied according to ISO 3758, and the fabric composition according to Regulation (EU) 1007/2011, usually on a textile label.
Common mistakes with resort shirts
- Too small a button – with a loose cut and a large print, a front button under 16L looks lost.
- A brightly coloured button – it competes with the pattern and makes the shirt look cheaper.
- An unsuitable buttonhole – viscose frays easily, so the buttonhole must be densely stitched and of the right length for the button.
- A skipped wash test – dyed buttons on light fabric must be checked for colour bleeding.
- One sample for all colours – if the collection has several prints, check the button on each of them, because the coconut tone looks different on a different ground.
Branding the button
Resort shirts rarely have a visible logo on the fabric, so an engraved coconut button is an elegant way for the brand to be present. A small mark or initials placed between the holes or as a border around the periphery work well. At small sizes like 18L, the graphic must be as simple as possible.
See the available styles in the coconut buttons category.
Buttons for your collection from Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags, based in Sofia, with delivery across the EU. We offer coconut buttons in various sizes and finishes, make them with a logo and prepare samples so you can match them with the specific print. Send an inquiry via the contact form with a photo of the fabric and the desired size.
