Ankle espadrilles, madras short shorts, and more compartments than a Boeing 747, oh yes there is quite a lot going on with Gary Cooper’s outfit in the photo above, but for now let’s all shift our attention over to John Wayne’s more approachable attire.
While that cowboy hat probably deserves a post all its own, Wayne’s Guayabera shirt is the real winner of this shot. When this photo was snapped back in Acapulco during the forties, Guayabera’s were ubiquitous throughout Mexico, but it’s tough to discern where exactly they come from. The most popular origin story is that sometime in the late 18th or early 19th centuries a farmer’s wife sewed four pleated pockets onto the front of his shirt so that he could easily store guavas (hence the name) while out in the fields. Whether that’s true or not, no one really knows, but the Guayabera’s merits are without question.
The sweltering heat of summer can force us into the lose-lose scenario between either not having enough pockets, or sweating through a superfluous layer. A Guayabera solves this conundrum instantly, by marrying pocket practicality with a breathable design. There is a catch tough – classic Guayaberas are not cut to contemporary standards. They’re often billowy, overly ornate, or just plain tacky. So, if you manage to find one that actually fits, hold onto it, because for the summer nothing holds quite like a Guayabera.
These are easily found in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The long sleeve versions are traditionally used as dress shirt for weddings by the groom and/or guests. In fact I wore one to a wedding in PR this past Xmas. I love the ones I have and always try to buy another whenever I go back home to PR.
You can purchase linen ones in Miami. Perfect hot weather shirts.
I NEED. Where can i find them online (i mean, the good ones)?
The boys over at Howlerbros make an updated Guayabera in a tech fabric with a slimmer cut, they’re great! http://howlerbros.com/products/guayabera-shirt-sp14
And there are literally 2.347 offerings for sale on ebay…
Wait, why aren’t we talking about how amazing Cooper’s shirt is? Is that a Guayabera on steroids?
Checkout: mycubanstore.com (Miami based).
Mycubanstore out if Miami have a unique selection of these shirts. Coupon: loyalcus will dave you 5%
I was born and raised in Venezuela and my friend always insisted I would look good in guayaberas. I never got one, but now I feel like I should get one next time I go visit the family.
Get the real thing in latin america, yucatan peninsula, cuba, thats the real thing, craftsmanship, linen cotton even tailor made like mines, modern designs and with beauiful details. But if you cant, go to cuvabera ‘s website, as a Mexican and frequent user they have some stuff I would use. Everybody needs to start using them. It should be a summer staple. Five star article ACL. Congrats!
Cooper’s footwear though?
Deen,
You can by men’s espadrilles in every color and size in old San Juan. But no ankle straps.
I stopped looking at mycubanstore.com when I kept seeing the 65/35 blend. Give me all cotton, or cotton linen, or I look elsewhere.
Then try: guayaberascubanas.com