Guayaberas – the four-pocket shirt and tropical weather answer to the suit – have been around for a loooong, long time.
Caribbean and Latin American grandfathers and great-great granddads wore the “wedding shirts” not just to weddings, but to Sunday mass, parties and yes, even funerals.
Providing an elegant and comfortable alternative for muggy days, the shirt has been transforming in the past decade, and now it seems all men – not just Latinos – rock the shirt. Mayor Bloomberg has been seen around town sporting his. So has Denzel Washington.
While the traditional shirt sports four pockets and are handmade in white linen, some new designers like Latino Royalty have completely transformed the garment, giving it a modern makeover that appeals to a younger demographic. The New York-based design company has not only introduced graphics, but are also offering one this season that is sleeveless.
Cubavera, another one of the newer lines, not only introduced silk screen graphics, but also shortened the length of the shirt from mid-thigh to falling below the waist. Still other designers offer lush and elaborate embroidery on lush cotton, linen, silks and other fabrics in an array of colors from black to deep blues, gold and everything in between.
Even the Gap has gotten into the guayabera game this season offering for the shirts for big guys and little dudes.
They make the perfect gift for the dad in your life.