2013 was a big year for ol’ WanderChic, including my wedding in September. WanderHubs and I delayed the honeymoon until the semester’s end. We were really grateful to park our frozen fannies on a plane for Hawai’i.
Sure, I packed swimsuits, a sarong, and sandals. But I also threw in a flannel shirt that’s become one of my faves: the Women’s Peaks Flannel sent to me from the fine folks at Mountain Khakis. You may recall that I’m a fan of Mountain Khakis; I reviewed their Women’s Lodge Jacket a couple of months ago, and the flame of adoration still burns.
I have the shirt in “sand,” as shown above, but it’s also available in blue and algae (looks better than it sounds). This flannel in muted hues might seem like a natural fit for my life in Washington but a weird choice for the beach. Don’t get me wrong: I love wild prints and bold colors. I mean no disrespect to the iconic Hawaiian shirt.
The Peaks Flannel is a polyesters/wool blend with a touch of Lycra, for an unexpected soft stretchiness. The shirt has a shapely cut to it, not snug, but the kind of shirt you could convincingly dress up for work with a blazer. This is a far cry from my 90s flannel preferences, especially the oversized, rough flannels I’d swipe from my dad’s closet.
I was trying to pack light for Hawai’i, one of the benefits of traveling to warmer climes. I wore this flannel in the evenings when we foraged among Kapa’a’s restaurants and food trucks for dinner and strolled on the beachside bike path. I wore it the day after our first big beach day, when my usual SPF vigilance was not enough (the shirt’s light, smooth texture was especially appreciated over a sunburn). I wore it when we camped on Anini beach, where we watched the stars come out and a cruise ship lined in holiday lights drift across the horizon.
Although Mountain Khakis is based in Jackson Hole, WY and “built for the mountain life,” the Mountain part isn’t limited to the Rockies. Jungly tropical mountains also apply. And hey, the shirt is a great way to bring a splash of the PNW to the islands for a look that’s a little bit hipster, a little bit aloha.
Photo credits: WanderHubs and Mountain Khakis