August 20

What are guayaberas and where did they originate?

9  comments

The Guayabera shirts are unique; they were created in Cuba in the mid-1800s.

Distinctive features of a Guayabera Shirt:

- Rows of pleats in front and back
- Four Front pockets
- Decorative buttons
- Side Slit
- Untucked
- Loose Fit

Where does the style come from?

Nobody knows for sure, but guayaberas probably evolved from the Spanish army uniform worn in Cuba in the 1800's. Another story associated with this unique Cuban garment is one of a husband asking his wife to create a shirt to carry guavas (guayabas), hence the term Guayabera.

1800's Spanish Army Uniform Bill Combs collection.

Tony Mendoza's artist interpretation of the Guayabera

It is known the guayabera shirt became a symbol of Cuba in the beginning. The guayabera was also one of the favorite shirts worn by Manuel Garcia, a sort of Cuban Robin Hood that roamed the Cuban countryside during those years.

Traditional guayaberas

Traditional Guayabera shirts have four pockets, are made of linen, and have long sleeves. This was a shirt worn for special events and celebrations.

Ernest Hemingway with a retro Cuban shirt (Guayabera)

The guayaberas were traditionally made of linen; however, nowadays, it is also manufactured on cotton blend and other fabrics. Linen is a thousand-year-old natural fabric.

The evolution of the guayabera.

Guayaberas have evolved throughout the years, and they are now available in different styles, colors, and fabrics.

Men's Guayabera in Burgundy

The modern version of the guayabera shirt or guayabera-inspired shirts can be untucked with or without pockets, with the guayabera pleats or embroidery down the front.

Pronunciation and spelling for guayaberas.

The word guayabera can be difficult to pronounce in English. As a result, many people commonly search for guayaberra, guayabers, guayavera, guayavera shirt,  or guyyaberra guayabera.

It's simply a consequence of the mispronunciation of this Spanish word. What is the correct spelling? The Correct spelling is Guayabera.

The Best Guayabera shirts.

The term best guayabera is very susceptible to individual perceptions of beauty, fabric type, style, and form.

Nowadays, the guayabera shirts come in different fabrics, each of them with its own characteristics and look.

  • Linen 
    Pros: Traditional, dry-clean only & breathable.
    Cons: High maintenance & wrinkles easy.
  • Cotton polyester blends
    Pros: Machine washable, lightweight & wrinkle resistant.
    Cons: Could be see-through on light colors.
  • Cotton
    Pros: Machine washable, familiar fabric to many customers.
    Cons: Wrinkles easy, maybe hot.
  • Other Fabrics: You may find Guayaberas in polyester and other fabrics such as silk, although they are not common.

Guayaberas as business uniforms or corporate events.

Guayabera shirts at a corporate cruise.

Guayabera Shirt with resturant logo.

Guayaberas are great at corporate events as the shirts can be embroidered with the company logo, and they are perfect if your group or company is thinking on an event in Miami or any other tropical destination.

Guayaberas in popular culture.

Guayaberas are different! You can't ignore them; you either like the style for what it is, or you don't. If you wear one of these shirts, people will notice it, it's a memorable shirt.

Guayaberas in popular culture.

Guayaberas are different! You must pay attention to them; you either like the style for what it is, or you don't. If you wear one of these shirts, people will notice it; it's a memorable shirt.

How do we know the Guayabera is from Cuba?

Juan Christobal Napoles Fajardo

Juan Cristobal Napoles Fajardo (El cucalambe) 1829 - 1861

Juan Cristobal Napoles Fajardo was a Cuban poet born in 1829. This poem below is one of the oldest references to the shirt. Written by Juan Cristobal Napoles Fajardo (El cucalambe) 1829 - 1861.

Oh, Guayabera!

Shirt of happy buttons, four pockets, coolness, of brave cane and breeze. You went warrior like "mambisa" with more than one bloody button during the heroic uprising, and for that, the flag is something of a guayabera that dresses the gallant of the wind.

Espirituana invader, You began your invasion, and between Júcaro and Morón, they called you La Trochana. It wanted you, Camagüeyana, the noble and brave Camagüey, until the end, since the Cape of San Antonio a Maisí,   Cuba isn’t dressed without you,  a fresh wave of the Yayabo.


In the above poem, the author makes references to the Cuban uprising against Spain and the fact that it was used to attack the Spanish fornications known as "trochas".it 

This poem also talks about crucial battles of the War of Independence and, at the end, mentions the Yayabo River, which is the place from which is believed the shirt came. It's thought the shirt was called "yayabera" initially. Juan Cristobal makes explicit reference to the guayabera and its unique characteristics, such as the 4 pockets, its fresh style, and what he calls "happy buttons."

Anglican Collar Guayabera

Clerical Guayabera shirts

Guayaberas are also available as a priest or clerical shirts; these shirts will include the traditional tab collar found on priest shirts and the world-famous guayabera style. This consists of the four front pockets, the pleated lines and all other details so unique to the guayabera. You can find these clerical guayaberas in both long and short sleeve versions.

The guayabera shirts are more popular than ever today. From beach weddings to Havana night party celebrations these shirts are here to stay.



Tags

Fashion, guayaberas, menstyle


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