Unique Shirt Store Grows Into a New River Oaks Shopping Center Force

When you research the guayabera, you find numerous claims and origin stories, ranging from Cuba, to Spain, Mexico, and the Philippines. The story goes that hundreds of years ago, a farmer’s wife sewed four pockets onto the front of her husband’s work shirt to easily carry guavas (guayabas). Today, the guayabera is standard issue for fraternity alumni, country-club goers, and celebrations in San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley.

Caroline Matthews founded her bespoke guayabera business Dos Carolinas 30 years ago in San Antonio, marrying the classic Latin aesthetic with fine-quality natural fabrics. The classic guayabera has two pin-tucked borders and four front pockets, but Matthews offers up cotton, linen, or seersucker in multiple colors and patterns; short or long sleeves; intricate embroidery; and a monogram. A new favorite is the camouflage guayabera — the pockets come in handy for shells and earplugs.

Dos Carolinas opened a small Houston by-appointment outpost several years ago above Armandos restaurant to service the brisk local business. A new larger shop has now opened in the Lamar-River Oaks Shopping Center on River Oaks Boulevard, in the center with Houston’s bastions of prep-dom, À Bientôt and Sid and Ann Mashburn. Sip a beer or Topo Chico and peruse the hundreds of ready-made guayaberas; bespoke shirting takes four to six weeks.

$120 to $350, at Dos Carolinas, 2503 River Oaks Blvd., doscarolinas.com.