dos Dos Carolinas has been part of San Antonio’s creative fabric since 1987. What began with founder Caroline Matthews’ search for a better-made cotton guayabera grew into a brand known for natural materials, careful construction, and clothing made with the wearer in mind.
Raised in West Texas and trained in fashion at Texas Tech University, Matthews brought a distinct point of view to the work. Nearly four decades later, that attention to craft continues to define Dos Carolinas at Pearl.
A Place at Pearl
Dos Carolinas announced plans for its Pearl store in 2012, creating a dedicated setting for fittings and customer appointments apart from its manufacturing operation.
The shop opened in Pearl’s Lab Building at 303 Pearl Parkway and is now recognized as the brand’s flagship. Here, clients can take part in the process, from selecting fabric and embroidery to considering fit and finish.
Its presence brings a longstanding San Antonio business into the mix of local shops, restaurants, and public spaces that give Pearl its character.
Beyond the Storefront
The brand’s connection to Pearl extends beyond its retail space.
When Hotel Emma opened in the former Pearl brewhouse in 2015, Dos Carolinas created uniforms for members of the hotel staff. Today, that relationship continues through the Guayarobe, Hotel Emma’s signature blue and white cotton seersucker robe, made in San Antonio by Dos Carolinas exclusively for the hotel.
Together, these collaborations have brought the work of a San Antonio maker into the daily experience of one of Pearl’s most carefully restored historic buildings.
The Guayabera, Reconsidered
The guayabera has a long history across Latin America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and South Texas. Its precise origin remains debated, with accounts linking the garment to Cuba, Mexico, Spain, and the Philippines.
The shirt is recognized by its straight hem, vertical pleats or pin-tucks, embroidery, and front pockets. Lightweight cotton and linen make it well suited to warm climates, while its structure allows it to move easily between casual and formal settings.
Dos Carolinas works within that familiar form while giving clients room to make it their own. Fabric, fit, embroidery, pocket configuration, sleeve length, and other details can all be selected.
The finished garment carries the history of the guayabera while reflecting the person who will wear it.
A San Antonio Tradition Near Home
For residents of Cellars at Pearl, Dos Carolinas adds a meaningful layer to the neighborhood experience. Just steps from home, the shop offers access to a San Antonio tradition shaped by craft, culture, and personal detail.
That connection feels natural at Cellars. The building reflects Pearl’s industrial past through brick, steel, traditional proportions, and a calm sense of design, while the surrounding neighborhood brings local food, shops, public space, and makers into daily life.
A fitting at Dos Carolinas can become part of an ordinary day at Pearl, paired with coffee nearby, a walk through the plaza, or dinner with friends. For those who call Cellars home, it is one more reminder that San Antonio culture is not far away. It is woven into the neighborhood itself.
