This long-sleeved olive and black cotton 1960s men’s sport shirt from Guatemala is a classic “resort-wear” style, with 4 patch pockets in front, similar to a guayabera-style shirt. The pockets, small collar, sleeve cuffs, front button placket, and the back panel are all embroidered with off-white birds and traditional, local patterns. The mid-weight, coarse-weave black and olive green cotton fabric was probably hand-woven, and definitely made locally. The off-white cotton yarn embroidery on the pockets, collar, sleeve cuffs, front button placket, and the back panel includes birds and other traditional, local patterns. The back of the shirt has a vertical pleat on each side, below the shoulder yoke. The hem has 2-button slits at each side seam (the top button is functional, and the lower button, decorative). The shirt buttons closed in front and is unlined. It is in very good condition, with some pale brownish marks visible on the embroidery at the right sleeve cuff. This unusual 1960s men’s shirt from Guatemala was probably a souvenir, purchased on a trip there.
A bit of history about its city of origin in Guatemala, Totonicapán: “Before the European conquest, it was the second most important city of the K’iche’ (Maya) and served as headquarters of the last Mayan ruler, Tecún Umán. In 1820 it was the scene of one of the most famous Indian uprisings in Guatemala, when indigenous leaders and their supporters led a rebellion against Spanish domination” (source: Wikipedia).
Size: M
Chest: 41” flat, to fit up to 38” loosely
Sleeve length: 32-33 (23” from shoulder to hem)
Length: 30” from back of neck to hem
Width at hem: 41” flat
Shoulder to shoulder: 17”
Label: Tejeduria de Telas Tipicas (Approx. translates to “weaving of typical fabrics”), Villa San Miguel, Totonicapán
