The Cuban Guayabera Shirt - A Style That is Always in Fashion

Not many shirts have a day named after them, but theWedding Shirt. The Guayabera's popularity spread
City of Miami, Fl. and Cubavera, manufacturers ofthroughout other countries in Latin America, and when
Guayabera shirts, declared July 1st. 2009 as "El Dia deCubans came to the United States they brought the
la Guayabera" or "Guayabera Day." For those whoshirts with them.
are not current with men's fashions, the GuayaberaThe Guayabera was considered a shirt of distinction
shirt came on the scene several years ago. But thisand was worn by men of importance. If one were to
shirt is not new. The Cuban Guayabera shirt is a stylehave visited the "Little Havana" section of Miami years
that has been in fashion for over two hundred years.ago they would only have seen older gentlemen
Characterized by its embroidered panels and fourwearing them. Several designers took the initiative and
front pockets, the Guayabera was a custom shirtstarted making variations to the shirt's design and the
made by a Spanish seamstress for a rich rancher onGuayabera exploded onto the fashion scene. The
the island of Cuba in the early 1700's. This rancher livedoriginal shirts were white and long sleeved giving the
near the Yayabero River, where the Guava fruit waswearer a formal look. Today's Guayaberas are more
grown. The farmers in the area copied the stylish shirtcasual, and come in short sleeves and in a variety of
and added large pockets to its front for carrying thetropical colors.
Guava fruit. Hence the name Guayabera.Celebrities and politicians have embraced the
The shirt's origin has always been a matter of dispute.Guayabera's rise to fame. Fidel Castro has worn the
Because of the humid conditions in the tropics,shirt in place of his traditional uniform. His brother Raul
businessmen in Latin America discarded the traditionalordered an olive green version made for the Cuban
business suit and began wearing the cool but dignifiedarmy. Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter wore them
Guayabera shirts. Tailors from Mexico's Yucatanon foreign visits to the Philippines and Cuba,
Peninsula copied the shirt's design from visiting Cubanrespectively. Mitt Romney and John McCain each
tourists. They in turn changed the shirt's name towore one on their quest for the presidency.
Camisa Yucatan and much later to the Mexican