A Full Inventory of Thomas Magnum's Shirts
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A Full Inventory of Thomas Magnum's Shirts
I've always been a fan of the Thomas Magnum aesthetic - the ball caps, the watches, the shorts and, of course, the shirts. The wardrobe team did a great job of pulling this whole look together. But, more often than not, it's the shirts that tie everything together.
Now, those of us who have more than a cursory knowledge of the show know that Magnum's shirt collection went far beyond the Paradise Found Jungle Bird aloha shirt that everyone rocks at Halloween. I've always liked going beyond the obvious and I set myself the daunting goal of trying to identify all of them. Additionally, I'm going to try to see if they're still available today.
I started putting the list together and it was going well until I ran into shirt #6. More on that later, but it made me realize that it's foolish to try to do all this on my own when other Magnum Maniacs are so great at research.
So, with out further delay, here are the first five Magnum shirts (in chronological order):
Shirt #1 (Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii (1.1))
The Lacoste cotton petit piqué in Navy Blue (Probably colour code 166).
Easily available here.
Shirt #2 (Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii (1.1))
Paradise Found "Star Orchid" aloha shirt in green rayon.
Unfortunately, this colour variant is discontinued. There's a fantastic and very comprehensive article focused on this shirt (and other Magnum wardrobe bits and pieces) here.
Shirt #3 (Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii (1.2))
Paradise Found "Mini Anthurium" aloha shirt in blue. Selleck also wore this shirt in a handful of photo shoots to promote the show.
This one can still be sourced from a number of online stores.
Shirt #4 (Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii (1.2))
Magnum wears this military-style light khaki shirt over his navy Lacoste in the climax scene. I believe it's a copy of a US-issued M-37 officer shirt from WWII.
Hard to find the exact one, but a store here seems to have had them at one point.
Shirt #5 (China Doll (1.3)
Tight-fitting short-sleeved navy blue rugby shirt.
This fitted style with a long set of buttons (for maximum hairy chest exposure) is difficult to source today. But a little digging at rugby supply stores (particularly in the UK) might pay off.
Now, those of us who have more than a cursory knowledge of the show know that Magnum's shirt collection went far beyond the Paradise Found Jungle Bird aloha shirt that everyone rocks at Halloween. I've always liked going beyond the obvious and I set myself the daunting goal of trying to identify all of them. Additionally, I'm going to try to see if they're still available today.
I started putting the list together and it was going well until I ran into shirt #6. More on that later, but it made me realize that it's foolish to try to do all this on my own when other Magnum Maniacs are so great at research.
So, with out further delay, here are the first five Magnum shirts (in chronological order):
Shirt #1 (Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii (1.1))
The Lacoste cotton petit piqué in Navy Blue (Probably colour code 166).
Easily available here.
Shirt #2 (Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii (1.1))
Paradise Found "Star Orchid" aloha shirt in green rayon.
Unfortunately, this colour variant is discontinued. There's a fantastic and very comprehensive article focused on this shirt (and other Magnum wardrobe bits and pieces) here.
Shirt #3 (Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii (1.2))
Paradise Found "Mini Anthurium" aloha shirt in blue. Selleck also wore this shirt in a handful of photo shoots to promote the show.
This one can still be sourced from a number of online stores.
Shirt #4 (Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii (1.2))
Magnum wears this military-style light khaki shirt over his navy Lacoste in the climax scene. I believe it's a copy of a US-issued M-37 officer shirt from WWII.
Hard to find the exact one, but a store here seems to have had them at one point.
Shirt #5 (China Doll (1.3)
Tight-fitting short-sleeved navy blue rugby shirt.
This fitted style with a long set of buttons (for maximum hairy chest exposure) is difficult to source today. But a little digging at rugby supply stores (particularly in the UK) might pay off.
Last edited by Styles Bitchley on Mon May 04, 2020 8:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"How fiendishly deceptive of you Magnum. I could have sworn I was hearing the emasculation of a large rodent."
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Re: A Full Inventory of Thomas Magnum's Shirts
Now that brings us to Shirt #6 (China Doll (1.3))
[Updated] A light aloha shirt with heliconia print.
A bit of a mystery shirt.
[Updated] A light aloha shirt with heliconia print.
A bit of a mystery shirt.
Last edited by Styles Bitchley on Fri Jun 12, 2020 7:28 pm, edited 3 times in total.
"How fiendishly deceptive of you Magnum. I could have sworn I was hearing the emasculation of a large rodent."
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Re: A Full Inventory of Thomas Magnum's Shirts
Hey Styles,
Nice work on these new threads. Like you I expect this shirt from China Doll is a Paradise Found that is no longer in print. The only slim chance of getting this particular shirt or other discontinued classic MPI shirts would be in vintage form (imo). I trawl ebay every now and then. I also visit http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/. If you subscribe (its free of course) Bill will send you an email every time he updates his stock with further additions. I was fortunate enough to get a Paradise Found green version of the classic jungle bird. Cotton and in almost new condition. Seems to date from early '90's. I also got a blue version of the star orchid failing to scource the green one. I wear them in Spain every summer vacation. The shirts are often complimented. I generally explain they are official attire for exhalted members of the Hawaiian Society For The Preservation Of The Classic Aloha Shirt.
I buy 2 or 3 new Paradise Found shirts annually from https://www.alohashirtshop.com/. For me Paradise Found aloha shirts in particular are still evocative of the '80's and that classic MPI era. The mini anthurium you mention was recently re-issued in blue, red & black. I of course bought the blue version for obvious reasons. Nice quality rayon shirt and reasonably priced. I am very pleased with it. Anyway again, mahalo and well done on these new threads.
Nice work on these new threads. Like you I expect this shirt from China Doll is a Paradise Found that is no longer in print. The only slim chance of getting this particular shirt or other discontinued classic MPI shirts would be in vintage form (imo). I trawl ebay every now and then. I also visit http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/. If you subscribe (its free of course) Bill will send you an email every time he updates his stock with further additions. I was fortunate enough to get a Paradise Found green version of the classic jungle bird. Cotton and in almost new condition. Seems to date from early '90's. I also got a blue version of the star orchid failing to scource the green one. I wear them in Spain every summer vacation. The shirts are often complimented. I generally explain they are official attire for exhalted members of the Hawaiian Society For The Preservation Of The Classic Aloha Shirt.
I buy 2 or 3 new Paradise Found shirts annually from https://www.alohashirtshop.com/. For me Paradise Found aloha shirts in particular are still evocative of the '80's and that classic MPI era. The mini anthurium you mention was recently re-issued in blue, red & black. I of course bought the blue version for obvious reasons. Nice quality rayon shirt and reasonably priced. I am very pleased with it. Anyway again, mahalo and well done on these new threads.
"Oh Jonathan !....oh Jonathan, come quickly ...... your hot cross buns are smoking".
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Re: A Full Inventory of Thomas Magnum's Shirts
Thanks Terry. I spent some time browsing Aloha Spotter's guide to aloha shirts (another excellent read) and found that shirt #6 doesn't fit into any of the "common floral motifs" categories. It's not really an attractive shirt anyway, so not surprising it's faded into obscurity... Onwards!terryfromkerry wrote:Hey Styles,
Nice work on these new threads. Like you I expect this shirt from China Doll is a Paradise Found that is no longer in print. The only slim chance of getting this particular shirt or other discontinued classic MPI shirts would be in vintage form (imo). I trawl ebay every now and then. I also visit http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/. If you subscribe (its free of course) Bill will send you an email every time he updates his stock with further additions. I was fortunate enough to get a Paradise Found green version of the classic jungle bird. Cotton and in almost new condition. Seems to date from early '90's. I also got a blue version of the star orchid failing to source the green one. I wear them in Spain every summer vacation. The shirts are often complimented. I generally explain they are official attire for exalted members of the Hawaiian Society For The Preservation Of The Classic Aloha Shirt.
I buy 2 or 3 new Paradise Found shirts annually from https://www.alohashirtshop.com/. For me Paradise Found aloha shirts in particular are still evocative of the '80's and that classic MPI era. The mini anthurium you mention was recently re-issued in blue, red & black. I of course bought the blue version for obvious reasons. Nice quality rayon shirt and reasonably priced. I am very pleased with it. Anyway again, mahalo and well done on these new threads.
"How fiendishly deceptive of you Magnum. I could have sworn I was hearing the emasculation of a large rodent."
- J.Q.H.
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Re: A Full Inventory of Thomas Magnum's Shirts
Shirt #7 (China Doll (1.3)
Merona off-white rugby/sweatshirt with concealed side pockets.
Magnum wears several of these shirts that are a cross between a rugby and sweat shirt. What makes them even more odd is that (look closely) they have hand pockets--sometimes concealed (like this one) and sometimes a kangaroo type (like a hoodie). Forum member kilvinsky identified them as being made by Merona back in the day. The company still exists but the style does not. Some may recall that these shirts have at least one thread here dedicated to them.
Merona off-white rugby/sweatshirt with concealed side pockets.
Magnum wears several of these shirts that are a cross between a rugby and sweat shirt. What makes them even more odd is that (look closely) they have hand pockets--sometimes concealed (like this one) and sometimes a kangaroo type (like a hoodie). Forum member kilvinsky identified them as being made by Merona back in the day. The company still exists but the style does not. Some may recall that these shirts have at least one thread here dedicated to them.
Last edited by Styles Bitchley on Fri Jun 12, 2020 7:28 pm, edited 2 times in total.
"How fiendishly deceptive of you Magnum. I could have sworn I was hearing the emasculation of a large rodent."
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Re: A Full Inventory of Thomas Magnum's Shirts
Agreed, fun new thread, Styles! The reddish/burgundy flowers on this shirt are heliconias. He wears it again in The Woman on the Beach and Mad Buck Gibson. Maybe I'm the only one who really likes this one.Styles Bitchley wrote:Now that brings us to Shirt #6 (China Doll (1.3))
A light aloha shirt with some sort of flora...anyone have any ideas? Perhaps a lost Paradise Found print?
Last edited by Rembrandt's Girl on Tue Mar 10, 2020 8:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: A Full Inventory of Thomas Magnum's Shirts
Hey Terry, is that you on Bill's website?terryfromkerry wrote:I also visit http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/. If you subscribe (its free of course) Bill will send you an email every time he updates his stock with further additions.
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Re: A Full Inventory of Thomas Magnum's Shirts
Good question!!Rembrandt's Girl wrote:Hey Terry, is that you on Bill's website?terryfromkerry wrote:I also visit http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/. If you subscribe (its free of course) Bill will send you an email every time he updates his stock with further additions.
"How fiendishly deceptive of you Magnum. I could have sworn I was hearing the emasculation of a large rodent."
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Re: A Full Inventory of Thomas Magnum's Shirts
Yes indeed, that's me. 3 pics in all. One with my good friend Paul who has come over to the Aloha side so to speak. There is also one of me with my "first lady" the beautiful Ann. 35 years together now, the photo was taken at a Luau in Lahaina, Maui in 2007. The night of my 50th birthday.Styles Bitchley wrote:Good question!!Rembrandt's Girl wrote:Hey Terry, is that you on Bill's website?terryfromkerry wrote:I also visit http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/. If you subscribe (its free of course) Bill will send you an email every time he updates his stock with further additions.
http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/images/a ... oore1a.jpg
http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/images/a ... Moore2.jpg
http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/images/a ... _small.jpg
"Oh Jonathan !....oh Jonathan, come quickly ...... your hot cross buns are smoking".
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Re: A Full Inventory of Thomas Magnum's Shirts
Great to put a face to a name. Aloha shirts suit you! I can’t say the same about myself.terryfromkerry wrote: Yes indeed, that's me. 3 pics in all. One with my good friend Paul who has come over to the Aloha side so to speak. There is also one of me with my "first lady" the beautiful Ann. 35 years together now, the photo was taken at a Luau in Lahaina, Maui in 2007. The night of my 50th birthday.
http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/images/a ... oore1a.jpg
http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/images/a ... Moore2.jpg
http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/images/a ... _small.jpg
"How fiendishly deceptive of you Magnum. I could have sworn I was hearing the emasculation of a large rodent."
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Re: A Full Inventory of Thomas Magnum's Shirts
terryfromkerry wrote:Yes indeed, that's me. 3 pics in all. One with my good friend Paul who has come over to the Aloha side so to speak. There is also one of me with my "first lady" the beautiful Ann. 35 years together now, the photo was taken at a Luau in Lahaina, Maui in 2007. The night of my 50th birthday.Styles Bitchley wrote:Good question!!Rembrandt's Girl wrote:Hey Terry, is that you on Bill's website?terryfromkerry wrote:I also visit http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/. If you subscribe (its free of course) Bill will send you an email every time he updates his stock with further additions.
http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/images/a ... oore1a.jpg
http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/images/a ... Moore2.jpg
http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/images/a ... _small.jpg
Nice Terry!
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Re: A Full Inventory of Thomas Magnum's Shirts
Styles Bitchley wrote:Great to put a face to a name. Aloha shirts suit you! I can’t say the same about myself.terryfromkerry wrote: Yes indeed, that's me. 3 pics in all. One with my good friend Paul who has come over to the Aloha side so to speak. There is also one of me with my "first lady" the beautiful Ann. 35 years together now, the photo was taken at a Luau in Lahaina, Maui in 2007. The night of my 50th birthday.
http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/images/a ... oore1a.jpg
http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/images/a ... Moore2.jpg
http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/images/a ... _small.jpg
Great work Styles! I’m excited about future posts.
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Re: A Full Inventory of Thomas Magnum's Shirts
Appreciate the kind comments folks.
"Oh Jonathan !....oh Jonathan, come quickly ...... your hot cross buns are smoking".
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Re: A Full Inventory of Thomas Magnum's Shirts
Thanks Terry! I love the pics, especially the one with you and Ann... the look on your face says it all. I agree with Styles, it's so nice to put a face to your name. And wow, that is one lonnnnnng flight from Ireland to Paradise!terryfromkerry wrote:Yes indeed, that's me. 3 pics in all. One with my good friend Paul who has come over to the Aloha side so to speak. There is also one of me with my "first lady" the beautiful Ann. 35 years together now, the photo was taken at a Luau in Lahaina, Maui in 2007. The night of my 50th birthday.Styles Bitchley wrote:Good question!!Rembrandt's Girl wrote:Hey Terry, is that you on Bill's website?terryfromkerry wrote:I also visit http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/. If you subscribe (its free of course) Bill will send you an email every time he updates his stock with further additions.
http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/images/a ... oore1a.jpg
http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/images/a ... Moore2.jpg
http://alohashirtsofhawaii.com/images/a ... _small.jpg
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Re: A Full Inventory of Thomas Magnum's Shirts
Thank you RG.
Yes a long trip. I still remember that sweet scent of the island as we stepped off the plane. Having travelled that far we stayed for 3 weeks. Watching Hawaii Five -0 as a kid and later Magnum PI as an adult it was always a dream to visit Hawaii. We loved every minute of it. Now I fully appreciate why its called Paradise. It is not likely we will visit again but the memory will stay with us forever.
Yes a long trip. I still remember that sweet scent of the island as we stepped off the plane. Having travelled that far we stayed for 3 weeks. Watching Hawaii Five -0 as a kid and later Magnum PI as an adult it was always a dream to visit Hawaii. We loved every minute of it. Now I fully appreciate why its called Paradise. It is not likely we will visit again but the memory will stay with us forever.
"Oh Jonathan !....oh Jonathan, come quickly ...... your hot cross buns are smoking".