Nylon Shirts in History - Che Guevara

Ernesto "Che" Guevara (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtʃe ɣeˈβaɾa];[7] June 14,[1] 1928 – October 9, 1967), commonly known as el Che or simply Che, was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, intellectual, guerrilla leader, diplomat and military theorist. A major figure of the Cuban Revolution, his stylized visage has become a ubiquitous countercultural symbol of rebellion and global insignia within popular culture.

There are several references to him wearing nylon shirts or should I say nylon shirt. He used to wear a nylon shirt for a week at a time and would wear it whilst he did his weekly shower - he referred to his shirt as 'la semanera'. Che Guevara as a youth was nicknamed “Chancho” (pig) because of his bathing habits (or lack thereof) and the fact that he proudly wore a “weekly shirt” – ie, a shirt he changed once a week. All through his life people commented on his smelliness (though obviously not to his face once he had the power to execute people on a whim).

The following excerpts are crude translations from various publications on the internet.

• Che wore a shirt then nylon washed once a week, which he called "the semanera".  
• The young man took off his garment cleaning himself, showered, when he did, with his shirt on.
• The white shirt has a story, was nylon and he called the "the semanera" because it was sufficient to wash it once a week and stretching alone.

Sources confirming Che Guevara’s nylon shirt “La Semanera”:

• Richard L. Harris, Che Guevara: A Biography (2010), p. 15 — Describes Che’s “one white nylon shirt” called La Semanera, worn constantly and washed weekly.

• Jon Lee Anderson, Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life (Revised Edition, 2010), p. 54 — Notes that Che’s favourite garment was a nylon shirt, originally white but grey from use, which he called La Semanera.

• Marcos A. Alvarez, Ernesto Che Guevara: A Mythical Revolutionary or a… (2013), p. 26 — Confirms the shirt was nylon, had a name, and was washed once a week.

• Allan Todd, Che Guevara: The Romantic Revolutionary (2024), p. 20 — Adds that Che often showered while wearing the shirt.

• The New York Times Magazine (1988), p. 61 — Mentions Che’s nylon shirt, worn constantly and known as La Semanera.

   

   
   
   Artistic interpretation of Che Guevara’s nylon shirt “La Semanera”, inspired by verified biographical sources and mid‑century poster design.#copilot