The Style History of Nelson Mandela's Madiba Shirt

Our counterparts at GQ South Africa have put together a great read about Nelson Mandela's signature printed shirts. Known as the "Madiba Shirt," the informal garment was a way for Mandela to sartorially identify with the majority of his people, who never wore suits, according to Yusuf Surtee, Mandela's longtime tailor. While the history of the shirt dates as far back to Egypt's first dynasty, the article says Mandela first became fond of the item when he was given batik print shirts by Indonesia...