Guayabera is a type of shirt that is quite popular in Mexico and other Latin American countries. Guayabera is known by several names like Mexican wedding shirt, cigar shirt, Cuban wedding shirt, Havana shirt, Mexican shirt and many more. A Guayabera shirt of Mexico is characterized by large pockets. Another defining feature of Mexican Guayabera shirts is embroidery works or pleats arranged in vertical rows. There are several explanations that are put forth to trace the origin of the shirt. According to one theory, it was the Chinese slave merchants who introduced Guayabera. Another theory claims that the origin of the shirt is rooted in Spain. Yet another version cites Mexico or Cuba as the originator of Guayabera.
Guayabera Shirt
A Guayabera shirt can be made from different types of fabrics. Equally diverse are the styles and colors of Guayabera. Although cotton is the preferred fabric for making a Guayabera, it can be made using silk, mixture of cotton polyester fabrics, linen and other types of materials. The fabrics used for making a Guayabera shirt are either exceedingly heavy or light. As far as the styles of Guayabera is concerned, there is something to suite every taste. The embroidery work adorning the shirt is either simple or quite elaborate and detailed. These shirts are usually not tucked inside the pant and are kept out. The sleeves also differ in style. Some have long sleeves, while others have short sleeves or are sleeveless.
History of evolution of Guayabera shirts shows that it has undergone significant changes in color, fabric and designs. Initially the Guayabera shirts were mainly available in white colored fabrics. However, with the passage of time color has come to play an important role in designing Guayabera shirts. Colorful embroidery works and colored fabrics are now common features of Guayabera shirts. A host of fabrics like rayon and nylon are being used to make Guayabera shirts. Similarly, the pleating and embroidery works have also been subjected to variations and incorporate simple to complex patterns.
Guayabera shirts are widely worn in large number of countries like Australia, United States of America, Canada and even African and European countries.
