Fashion Forward: Guayaberas

In South Florida chances are you've seen them. Crisp, clean shirts called Guayaberas. When it comes to making them, Ramon Puig is the Guayabera king.

He's designed the classic shirts for Ronald Reagan, George Bush Sr. and Denzel Washington. He says what defines a Guayabera are the 4 pockets in front of the shirt.

The shirts name Guayabera comes from the Spanish word Guayaba which is a fruit and originally these shirts were worn by Cuban men on their way to harvest that fruit and they'd use the four pockets to carry their belongings.

But now more and more designers are giving the Cuban classic a makeover.

Steven Giles, from Base, says, "Cool comfortable classic gets you from day to night. It's great in many different sorts of occasions."

At Base on South Beach they do their Guayaberas in raw silk and non traditional colors. They even pair them up with t-shirts underneath for a little added edge.

Steven Giles says, "Every year I find myself reinventing the Guayabera and every year in the summer it becomes our best selling shirt."

Talk about best selling Gabriella Arango's Guayaberas for women are hot. The Coral Gables designer does linen versions of Guayabera dresses and jumpers, silk and satin dresses, jackets and gowns.

She even does Guayabera influenced two piece hot short, pant suit and skirt sets. Her collection is so unique celebirities like Madonna and Actress Debi Mazar are big fans.

Designer, Gabriella Arango, says, "It's very sexy, also very traditional, for Miami. I think it's the best."

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