How to Style Cuban Collar Shirts
Some shirts demand a mirror check, a styling tutorial, and a small crisis before leaving the house. The Cuban collar shirt is not one of them. It is the menswear equivalent of knowing a great little wine bar that never needs a booking. Relaxed, open-collared, and just the right side of louche, the Cuban shirt has spent decades drifting between old Hollywood, 70s pool parties, terrace culture, and modern summer tailoring without breaking a sweat.
What is a Cuban collar Shirt?
Depending on which sources you believe, Cuban shirts are from the Philippines, Mexico, Cuba, and various South American countries simultaneously, dating from, vaguely, the 1800s. Cuban Collar Shirts were a symbol of the working class and represented the everyman. Come the 1950s, Elvis Presley became a champion of the Cuban which, needless to say, threw the Cuban right into the deepest end of the mainstream. Between The King and the admittedly fictional Tony Montana, the Cuban Collar Shirt found itself permanently cemented in popular culture, never to leave.
What is the difference between a regular shirt and a cuban collar?
It’s, erm… it’s the collar. A Cuban has a double-notch one-piece collar. That means they’ve got sort of mini lapelles built in. Regular shirts don’t have this. Cuban’s typically don’t button at the top either, rather laying open and showing a bit of chest by design. As it happens, we make the best Cubans around — see for yourself.
Are cuban collar shirts formal?
Typically no. Cubans can be styled in all kinds of ways but, really, their history is entrenched in the working class and casualwear, especially in hot temperatures. If you’re going for a more formal look, though, you can probably get away with a Cuban at a wedding — not so much at a funeral, unless you are in the actual mafia. For formal fits, look to block colours, such as the Long Sleeve Cuban Linen Shirt in Stone, or the Short Sleeve Linen Cuban Shirt in Light Blue.
How to wear a cuban collar shirt?
The Cuban collar shirt was never built for shrinking violets. It is all easy confidence and old-school swagger, somewhere between film star and a bloke ordering anchovies in a Soho wine bar like he discovered them himself. The trick to wearing a Cuban shirt is keeping the rest of the outfit clean. Relaxed tailoring, linen trousers, or vintage denim do the job nicely while the collar gets on with being the main character.
What do you wear under a Cuban collar shirt?
Traditionally nothing. The Cuban Collar Shirt needs no partner. However, if you fancy going for a more casual approach, a block-colour vest or tee is what you’re after — preferably white, as white compliments everything.
Do you tuck in a Cuban shirt?
Again, traditionally no. You can, though — it can be done. Takes a certain je ne sais quoi. Tucked into a pair of tailored trousers with a slim fit, or a nice pair of tailored shorts, a tucked-in Cuban can do big things but, please, approach with caution. Generally speaking, a Cuban Collar Shirt will look great untucked and aloof. That’s what it was designed for.
How should Cuban Collar Shirts fit?
If you’ve been hitting the callisthenics and are looking to show off your striking lack of body fat, the Cuban ain’t for you, friend. Cubans are louche, they’re boxy, they’re calm. They should have a casual fit — less Fast & Furious, more Sopranos. Less protein shake, more piña colada. That’s not to say they can’t be smart — they can be smart — but they’re not figure-hugging.
Cubans are great hot weather shirts due to their airy fit and open collar. For the ultimate hot weather Cuban, grab yourself a Linen Cuban Collar Shirt in Dusty Pink.
What pants go with a Cuban Shirt?
Straight leg or wide leg trousers are a great accomplice to a Cuban Collar Shirt. They’ll give you that 1950s Elvis Presley look that never truly goes out of style. We’ve got you covered on that front with our Tailored Linen Trousers in Navy or our Pleated Tailored Linen Trousers in Light Blue.
Alternatively, a nice pair of shorts is ideal for that out-of-office, prendiamo-quatro-birre look. Not just any shorts — don’t pair a top quality Cuban Collar Shirt with your Sunday league football shorts — no, instead go for something like our Pleated Linen Shorts in Forest.
What is the difference between a cuban collar and camp collar?
Nothing, really. Cuban collar and camp collar are two names for the same style of shirt collar: open, laid-back, and designed to sit flat against the chest without needing a tie. “Camp collar” is the American term, while “Cuban collar” became the more popular phrase in British menswear, largely because it sounds far cooler and slightly more dangerous.
Both styles are cut with a relaxed open neck and revere-style collar, originally designed for hot weather and easy movement. Think Elvis on holiday, Tony Soprano at a barbecue, or every stylish bloke photographed on the Amalfi Coast pretending not to notice the camera. Whatever name you use, the appeal is the same: effortless summer dressing without looking like you tried too hard.
5 Ways to Wear Our Favourite Summer Shirt
The origin of the Cuban Shirt is absolutely soaked in mystery.
Firstly, the proper name for a Cuban Shirt is a guayabera – if we’re going to get into this, we might as well do it properly. One Cuban origin story tells of a poor countryside seamstress who sewed big old pockets onto her husband’s shirt so he could carry guavas.
The strongest argument for the guayabera’s origin seems to be that it came to Cuba via Mexico via the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade route at some point between 1565 and 1815. The design apparently bore a striking resemblance to a traditional Filipino shirt called a barong tagalog.
But how should you wear our Cuban Shirts? Here’s some inspiration.
- By itself. Just the Cuban Shirt. Buttoned up for the original, how-it-was-intended look, or worn open if you fancy yourself as a bit of a Latino heartthrob. And why shouldn’t you?
- Layered over a White Tee. A classic and versatile look. Smart, elegant, casual, and easy-going. You cannot go wrong with this one.
- With our Forest Chore Jacket. A 100% linen Cuban Shirt underneath a more robust overshirt gives ultimate versatility and is a great way to layer your outfit.
- Pair the Long Sleeve Cuban Linen in Navy with our Leo Harrington and Light Wash Straight Leg Denim Jeans. Darker coloured Cubans with Light Wash Denim *chef’s kiss*.
- Button up our Tapestry Cuban Linen Shirt and pair with our Navy Linen Suit. Business meets pleasure meets warm summer weather, and they get along incredibly well together. That is a short poem and also a fact.
