Honoring the History of the Guayabera Shirt

The Guayabera shirt is much more than a piece of clothing. The Guayabera represents many different national and regional identities — all blending together to create this proud symbol of strength, culture and history.

Men’s Guayabera shirts are believed to have gotten their name from the story of an 18th century woman who sewed four pockets to her husband's shirt so that he could use them to gather guavas (also known as guayabas). Today, Guayabera fashion has evolved into several different styles, some of which don’t have the traditional pockets. Some people believe the Guayabera design was brought to Mexico from the Philippines, inspired by the white Philippine barong Tagalog. Another explanation is that these Cuban-style shirts are a Yayabero regional name for someone from the Yayabo River valley in Cuba.

There’s a lot of speculation about where these shirts originated from and exactly how far back their history goes. But no matter where the Guayabera came from, it’s now worn all over the world by modern men. Guayabera shirts offer style and comfort all in one, made with Italian linen that keeps you looking and feeling good — no matter the occasion. Shop our collection and discover the magic of the Guayabera shirt!

How to Style Guayabera Shirts

The Guayabera for men can be dressed up or down, making it a versatile option perfect for any occasion. Pair it with men’s linen shorts for a casual, relaxed look or combine it with linen dress pants for a more formal event. Because of its widespread use as groomsmen's apparel in Mexico and at beach weddings, the men’s Guayabera has earned the nickname "Mexican wedding shirt."

If you want to keep it simple for a day at the beach, opt for a short-sleeve Havana shirt with relaxed drawstring pants. If you need something more festive for a special occasion, go big with custom embroidery that shows off your personal style. Long-sleeve Guayaberas are timeless and classic, perfect for weddings and formal events. Need something light and airy yet professional for your next work event? Pair your Guayabera shirt with slacks and a blazer for a laid back, business casual look.

Sometimes we have those in-the-middle events — not quite formal but not casual either. So how can you style a Guayabera shirt when the dress code isn’t clear? Choose a long-sleeved shirt with subtle design details and roll up the sleeves if the event ends up more on the casual side. The long sleeves give you the flexibility of rolling them down if you get there and it’s more formal than you thought.

When it comes to accessories, the options are endless! Pair a Guayabera men’s shirt with sneakers or sandals for a beachy, casual feel or go with Oxford shoes for elevated sophistication. You can also mix and match hats, ties and jackets with these versatile shirts.

Whether you prefer elegant simplicity or bold colors, the Guayabera shirt does it all. If you need help choosing the right style or size, our team of representatives is happy to help. Shop our collection of Guayabera shirts for men and find your perfect fit at the right price today.