Offered is a Hawaiian themed shirt owned by Elvis Presley which he bought while in the islands in 1965 during the filming of his movie Paradise, Hawaiian Style. The chambray shirt is accented on the placket and the yoke with a palm tree motif print, and the border between the two fabrics is accented with a heavy 1/2 inch wide blue brocaded trim piece. Elvis gifted the shirt to Memphis Mafia member and co-best man at his wedding Marty Lacker.
Elvis filmed three movies in Hawaii, including Blue Hawaii (1961) and Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), but Paradise would be his last. He loved the islands, though, and would return often for vacations. When Elvis travelled he often bought clothing reflective of his surroundings, and the offered shirt certainly would have caught his eye while shopping.
Years later, Marty sold the shirt to Mike Moon of the Elvis Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in 1983, and it remained on display there for 35 years. Collector Chris Davidson purchased most of the museum's contents in 2018. The shirt is accompanied by a copy of the original bill of sale between Marty and Mike Moon. The sale was consummated on July 24, 1983, and the document lists 11 total items. The offered shirt was listed as "10. Hawaiian Shirt - Worn by Elvis in 1965 in Hawaii during filming of 'Paradise Hawaiian Style.'" Moon was buying a great number of items directly from several of Elvis' closest confidants long before most fans were seriously collecting his personal clothing, jewelry and affects. These early efforts not only enabled Moon to assemble his museum in short order, they also preserved a great many artifacts that are available to advanced collectors today.
The chambray shirt measures 30 inches in length and just over 16 inches from shoulder seam to shoulder seam and presents with moderate to heavy wear from use. The small, white collar tag is present but is worn to an unreadable state. Excellent condition.