Alexander Afenyo-Markin captured in his Cubavera shirt
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, faced criticism from the Ho West MP, Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah, on the floor of Parliament for what was deemed as ‘rocking’ an inappropriate attire in the chamber.
Afenyo-Markin, however, stood his ground and ‘schooled’ his critics on what he described as thier ignorance regarding his outfit, particularly his shirt, which he proudly disclosed was made by the distinguished brand ‘Cubavera’.
Critics argued that his shirt appeared too casual for parliamentary business, but Afenyo-Markin insisted that it was a highly respected gentleman’s wear.
He emphasised that it was an attire worn by distinguished individuals for many years.
“With respect, Mr. Speaker. This is Cubavera. When we were young, they call it ‘akrachi fuor shirt’ *The gentleman’s shirt*. Sometimes we should not use some form of ignorance to say things that we don’t know. How do you say it on record that Cubavera is a shirt that when one wears it amounts to improper dressing and it’s not parliamentary?
“The last time someone attempted to say Cubavera is a pyjamas and Speaker corrected him. This is a gentleman’s shirt. Very unique,” he passionately argued.
With that said, let’s take a deeper look into Afenyo-Markin’s shirt, the Cubavera brand it represents, and uncover more facts about this ‘iconic’ attire.
About the Cubavera brand that made Afenyo-Markin’s shirt
Cubavera is a renowned brand known for its vibrant and stylish clothing line, inspired by the Latin culture.
This ‘versatile’ brand positioned these shirts as a stylish option for both casual and formal occasions, making them a go-to choice for weddings, parties, and other events.
Cubavera shirts provide a cool, breathable alternative to more formal attire.
Typical in an African setting, the light linen fabric, or in some cases embroidered or knitted, used for the Cubavera shirt often creates the impression that the wearer may not be properly dressed for more formal or critical occasions.
However, Cubavera shirts are a versatile casual fit that can be worn for almost any occasion.
In Ghana, for example, someone might be spotted wearing a linen Cubavera shirt to a casual event like a date, a boys’ hangout, or a beach outing.
Typically worn untucked, these shirts help to stay cool and look sharp, even on the hottest days.
Originally, “guayabera” was the more common name for this style of shirt, but Cubavera is the brand name that gained popularity in the United States, especially within the Latin community.
Guayabera is said to be an important traditional Cuban shirt. These shirts are usually adorned with two or four pockets and delicately sewn pleats.
See some knitted, linen and embroidered Cubavera shirts below:
Photo credit: Cubavera, Instagram
EB
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