The guayabera is a traditional men’s garment often worn in formal occasions in Cuba and also other Latin American countries. Appearing repeatedly in their native shirts are political leaders from these countries for instance Fidel Castro and Cesar Chavez. Consequently, the shirt is sometimes linked to populist political leanings. Some American presidents – George H W Bush and Ronald Reagan included – have made a point of donning a guayabera when stopping by Miami’s Cuban community. Ernest Hemingway is yet another well recognized American who wore the shirt routine
Declared the “official formal dress garment” of Cuba in 2010, the guayabera is also known as the “Mexican wedding shirt”. This popular article of men’s clothing has roots that are steeped in a variety of legends. While there is some debate, it is believed that the earliest guayabera shirt was made in Mexico and brought to Cuba via Caribbean trade routes making its way to Spain where elaborate embroidery was added. Another theory is that the shirt came about in the Philippines then took root in the Caribbean along the trade routes spanning from Ma