THE GUAYABERA: AS CUBAN AS THE ROYAL PALMS

Gladys Rodríguez-Dod
Exclusively By Rex Fabrics
Fine Fabrics from Around the World

Many countries claim to have come up with the guayabera, that cool and comfortable garment... and yes, also elegant, that men prefer during those hot Summer days.  Mexico... as well as some Central American countries... challenge it.  And in Asia, the Phillipines assures that it was born in their lands.  None of that... the guayabera is as Cuban and the royal palms.

To start, the Phillipines shirt is made with pineapple fiber, it has embroideries and it is very transparent...not even a distant cousin of our guayabera.  As to Mexico, the reason why the guayabera is so loved in Yucatan, is because since the XVIII Century there has been much exchange between this area of Mexico and Cuba.  Up until the XX Century it was common for the children of the well-off families in Yucatan to study at the University of La Habana, instead of the University of the Federal District as this latter one was closer and more accessible.  For years, its elegant men would buy the guayaberas at El Encanto, the most important store of the American continent of the time period.

Many argue that from Mexico it went over to other Central American countries, although it is also possible that because Cuba attended all of the cattle raising fairs, their representatives wore them with great pride, making it fashionable as a garment of great comfort.

Several versions circulate regarding its origin, but the most accepted one is that of a landowner of the town of Sancti Spiritus, in the area of Las Villas, who was shopping at La Habana and discovered a very cool fabric called batiste.  He took it to his wife who was skillful with thread and needle so that she could make him a comfortable shirt with pockets to wear when he worked at his lands.  It turned to be a success, and many of his employees began to copy them, and then other landowners from nearby farms.  Since they lived near the Yayabo River, they began to call them yayaberas because they would usually have lunch under the shade of the guava trees, which were very common in the area, many times filling their pockets with this delicious fruit.  The name was changed to guayabera, becoming the most popular men’s garment in Cuba.

In 1880 the City Hall of Sancti Spiritus authorized its use at official acts, which up until then only allowed the use of collar and tie.  And July first became the Day of the Guayabera.

Through time, pintucks and little nacre buttons were added, and during the War of Independence, our rebels wore them with much pride, carrying over it the belt from where they would hang the machete.  It was then that the side openings were added, in order that it was easier to draw it during the battles.  As a Cuban sign, the Cuban rebels would add a small Cuban flag to the inside, underneath the back collar, which was visible through the thread.   Needless to say, that any Cuban who was captured by the Spaniards wearing these, was immediately executed.

It is a shirt that is worn on the outside of the pants.  The most elegant one is the one in white linen, but today they are made in pastel colors, and even in colored stripes, which are preferred by the young ones.  As a special detail, the elegant man adds his initials embroidered by hand. And it must be added that even the most famous maisons of Paris have fallen to its influence.  I recall once in Santo Domingo, Dominican capital, having discovered very elegant guayaberas created exclusively by Christian Dior.  Needless to say that I immediately bought them, and my husband still keeps one today and he wears it with great happiness.

It was not until the decade of the forties when the Cuban politicians began to wear them during their electoral campaigns, that the guayaberas became much more fashionable.  And Mr. Carlos Prio Socarras, former Cuban President, took it to the Presidential Palace.  The little bow was added to transform it as an option to use it for more dressy occasions instead of the traditional Dril 100 suit.  Thereon, it was easy to pass over to the most grand halls of the country, and photos of the time period are evidence that the most powerful and important men of the island would wear them to the most exclusive clubs like The Habana Yacht Club, The Country Club of La Habana or The Vedado Tennis Club.

Today, it is common to see them at Via Veneto, the Champs Elysees, Park Avenue or ib the streets of Miami... and possibly those wearing them are not Latin Americans!

Here at Rex Fabrics, it is an important part of our men’s department.  Whether it is the traditional one, long sleeves or short sleeves, in soft colors or the traditional white color, the guayabera captures the attention of our customers.  Whether it is the young or older men, its allure is irresistible.  That’s why I invite you to discover its world.  Should we meet here?