Sun Surf Special Edition 442Nd

Product Name: “442nd”
Vintage: POLYNESIAN SPORTSWEAR
Era: Early 1950s
Material: Cotton Poplin
Print: Overprint
Design Pattern: All-over Pattern

The 100th Infantry Battalion, formed by Japanese Americans from Hawaii during World War II. Their success on the Italian front led the U.S. Army to form the 442nd Regiment with the addition of Nisei volunteers. Their achievements were remarkable, and it is not an overstatement to say that their efforts had a significant impact on the status of Japanese Americans in the United States at that time.

This piece is a shirt commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 442nd Regiment's formation, designed by a person named Jackson Morrisawa. It proudly depicts scenes from the European front, along with the slogan GO FOR BROKE, the regiment insignia, and division insignia. Additionally, the fabric is reproduced based on vintage styles, using cotton poplin with a slight texture in the weft, offering a unique feel that combines softness and a crisp texture. The original was developed by the brand Polynesian Casuals, which also manufactured shirts and dresses for prominent Hawaiian brands.

SUN SURF SPECIAL EDITION

The Aloha shirt symbolizes the paradise of Hawaii. Its origins are deeply intertwined with Japanese immigrants, and there exist both tropical and traditional Japanese patterns as vintage designs. By the mid-20th century, as Hawaii established itself as a tourist destination, the demand for Aloha shirts as souvenirs surged. Designs and patterns diversified, leading to the creation of many pieces. This special item, which can be encountered only rarely in the process of collecting vintage Aloha shirts, pays tribute to the textile designers who created these masterpieces that are fading with the passage of time, completely reproducing their charm without omission through luxurious multi-color prints, powerful designs, and various details that differ by manufacturer and era. That is the essence of the Sun Surf Special Edition.